The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-05
CheedIe's Past.

l
Of his imagination he has lately built up a
lurid conception of his sinful bachelor
self which frightens him. The other day
tried TO reassure him, quite unsuccess-
fully.
My dear Cheedle." I said. you have
nothing whatever 90 reproach yourself
with
'Ah, If I could only believe that!" he
sighed out. But you know as well as
do what sort of a life 1 used 10 lead"
''Cloistral?" said I.
| "Fiendish." said he. at was a devil Of
a fellow
Why. we used to cali you saint" I
said
''Oh, in irony, you mean?''
mo. in all sincerity. OF course We
didn't let you know. We thought it might
offend you
Now. my dear wroughtnight." said he,
''let me give you a word in season"
Thanks. But-as the servant girls say
i never accept valuable presents from
gentlemen"
This young mans craving after an evil
| reputation is unhealthy in the extreme.
You'll repent of il some day
| 1 was irritated. at seems 70 me" said
7, that it is you who are doing the crav-
| ing"
Il don't understand you" said he
sternly.
You know you were perfect Puritan"
Il don't deceive myself, old man"
You kept your misdeeds pretty dark.
| anyhow. Nobody ever found you out in
anything worse than a box at Roster &
Balls or a Sunday at Manhattan Beach
OF course, you sometimes left actresses
photographs lying about. But we know
where you bought EN-"
J. &c
you give up that sort of thing"
Which sort of thing?"
You know. The sort of thing used
to 60 in for"
You mean cigarettes and photo
graDhs?''
He sighed again 1t was a diplomatic
evasion.
Marriage" said he senteniously, "opens
mans eyes. He sees things in a new
light He realizes how wrong certain
things are that he once delighted in. To
have tender trusting woman committed
TO his daily care"
20, l sayr' I exclaimed
You don't understand said he. You
have no responsibilities.
Look here, Cheedle, don't be an asst
1 shouted.
you remember Balaam's ass. PHILIP"
No I think he must have been be-
fore my time"
In spite of himself he laughed. At once
the conversation became rational. He
was taking me to dinner. Within sight
of the house he said:
Il am so glad you get on so well with
my wife. Phil. If the subject of my-my
past ever crops out be true friend, won't
you?"
l promised And few days later re-
deemed my promise amply. 1 met Mrs
Cheedle on Fifth avenue. and she pined
for some Astoria tea. II is not my fault
if Mrs. Cheedle thinks that tea at the
Waldorf-Astoria at . p. m. is rather dis
siDated
I'm going to scold you, Mr.. Wrought
night" said she. for your good. 1 think
you are leading a useless life.''
1T is useful to me- 1 replied meekly.
I'm fact, 1 don't quite see how I could
get on without it,
You waste so much of your time
LAS time is Of no value to me that is
not a great extravaganza"
''You keep bed hours You smoke great
deal, too
Il confess it,
''You go to music halls
"Alasv
You belong to too many clubs"
you know too many people"
There are too many people. I'm
afraid"
You attend race meetings. You
Il certainly begin 10 believe I'm in a
bad way" said I. Il had not thought of
it before. Thank you, Mrs. Cheedle. But
you must not be too hard on me. All
men are not like your husband, you
known
why don't you get married, too?''
Marriage would not alter me-" said I.
gloomily.
1T has altered JOSIE
81 beg your pardon, Mrs Cheedle, it has
not altered him in the least"
She grew pale. What do you mean?"
she gasped.
Il know him so well. you see"
She half arose. You mean to tell
me
"a saint, Mrs. Cheedle," I cried earn
estly; IAN angel in trousers
Don't be absurd" she said laughing"
'I assure you, Mrs. Cheedle." said I,
that more innocent man than your
husband does not walk this EARTH
Extraordinary as it may appear. she
was greatly annoyed. Nonsense" she
said sharply.
There is no more vice in him than in
a kitten" said I. He was always like
that
"Of course you are his friend. You
would be sure to say so. It's loyal and
nice of you, but I-you can't deceive ne"
Evidently no man is a saint to woman
who loves him,
Il have no wish to do So" said I. There
is no need"
MY dear Mr. Wroughtnght. said she.
with thinly yelled impatience do you
honestly maintain that Josie is any bet
ter, morally. than the average mann
Incidentally better" said I.
Then you are mistaken"
Really. I think not. We used to call
him the Saint
The Saint! How absurd
at was a saying among US, AS limo
cent as Cheedle!'"
NONSENSE" she said again. flushing an
grily. Il don't believe it,
bowed and was silent.
"All men are more or less alike" said
she.
I did not repl
30. was I rud, I beg your pardon.
Do be nice. Mr.. Wroughtnight"
You asked my opinion of Joseph Saun-
ders Cheedle. I gave it." said I. honestly.
But you may be mistaken. Mr..
Wroughtnight."
"Of course" said I. II admit that. If
you don't mind, Mrs. Cheedle, We viii
change the subject"
She looked al me gloomily for some sec
ords. I don't think I ever spent a duiier
afternoon. l saw Chsedle day or two
later. His manner was repelliug.
Good God. man" ne cried. What
have YOU been saying 70 my vife?'
How should know?" ! rejolned, stung
% evaporation.
Were you drunk"
zoe .--.--- - TELv eel.