The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-29
How Eustis Eord.chese Dis VIE

"Eustis, old boy" said Roy Taylor. 90
ne tilted back his chair and put his fees
upor the fender. when IL the wedding
to be?''
Whose weddingT'
Miss Laura Bateman or Berthe. which
Is it?"
Il don't know, I'm sure"
Now, don't be mysterious. Eustis: you
know you are a constant visitor. and all
the village people are talking about the
match. Don't pretend you have not Sc
lected one Of the sisters"
How do you know either Of them viii
have me?"
You. young, handsome and with a
large fortune. Come, which is the IA
vorite sister,"
well. frankly, then, Roy, cannot tell
you. I have visited the family for sew
eral months, but ] cannot decide. Laura
Is certainly the handsomer with her soft
blue eyes and queenly manner; but Ber-
tie seems, although the younger, to be
the more womanly and useful of the two.
My entrance Is the signal for cordial wei
come, and, let me call at what hour I
will, they are always well dressed and
apparently disengaged. To be sure, I al
ways have TO wait some time before
Laura Is visible
Go. there in disguise. As peddler. for
instance"
"Just the thing; I viii"
Laura and BERTHE Bateman were the
only children of a widower who. although
in moderate circumstances. moved in fash
ionable society Laura had already Sc
lected Eustis Ford as her future hus-
band, and BERTHE tried to conquer a care
fully concealed preference for the same
purpose.
It was the morning after a great ball,
and the sisters were In the breakfast
room together. Laura, her hair gathered
into a conrb, wearing a soiled wrapper,
and presenting rather an alarming con-
trast TO the brilliant ballroom belle, was
lounging on the sofa. BERTHE, in a neat
morning wrapper, with a large Bingham
apron. white collar, and hair smoothly
brushed into a neat knot. was washing
the dishes.
There Is an old man at the door with
some fine laces," said the servant; will
you see hirn?"
mo" said BERTHE.
eyes" cried Laura, S'send him up.''
In few moments the old man came
in. He was poorly clad. His hair was
white, with beard and mustache OF the
same hue Making a low bow, he placed
the basket he carried on the table and
opened it.
II have some fine laces here" he said,
taking some from the basket, that will
just suit you, miss" and he held them
before BERTHE.
sit was my sister who wished to look
at your laces," said BERTHE. quietly.
Eyes; bring them here" was Laura's
imperious command.
The old mans eyes followed Berthe as
she washed wiped and put away hte
dishes, swept the room. and busted it, and
then sat down beside Laura, who was
still looking over the basket.
''See, BERTHE, this lace is just what l
want. VIII it look lovely on my new SILK
dress?"
But" whispered Laura, ''you can't
afford It just now"
Eyes. can. Father gave me some
money yesterday"
but that was to pay the last dry
goods BILL"
Nonsense That viii stand till I am
married. and then I can easily save 1t
out of my housekeeping money"
81 should not wish to marry in debt,
said BERTHE.
The old man looked earnestly a. the
sisters.
you had better take some, miss" he
said to BERTHE. "If It amt convenient
to pay for it now will call again"
'FNo; shall not take any. Come, Lau-
re-. decide. You are keeping one walt
ing whose time, probably, Is valuable"
then passing a chair she added: BE
seated, sir; you look tired"
'I am tired. indeed was the reply.
Laura had chosen three pieces. and
said she would take them.
Put, sister, you cannot afford 1t.
"Yes. I can. Eustis Ford Is rich"
The old man bit his lips.
Think" said Ber.ie in a low tone. IF
YOU love him how much II viii grieve
him If he should di cover this deceit.
We'll, I can call again for the money,
said the peddleH
Eyes, call again." said Laura.
So the peddler took up his basket.
walked home, threw of his disguise, and
wrote an offer OF hisN hand AMI heart 10
Mss BERTHE Bateman. which was accept
Ell
Laura has two sources Of profound spec
ulation. One Is. why did Eustis Ford
propose to Berthe instead OF me?" Tie
other. 81 wonder why the old man never
called to be paid for the lace?"-Boslon
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