The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-06
Patriotism Versus Love.


his country's service more for glory than
anything else. and surely that Is not true
patriotism" said Edith Chester to her
friend and hostess. Gertrude Ashcroft.
whom she is visiting In the beautiful west
ern home which Lieutenant Richard Ash
croft and his sister. orphans for many
years, had purchased Just previous to his
enlistment at the beginning OF the recent
| war.
Although college friends for four years.
Edith Chester had never visited her friend
| before, nor seen the brother who had
been travelling abroad until month be-
fore his enlisting under his country's
flag.
II am sorry you cannot feel as I do"
replies Gertrude to whom her brothers
friend could not be else but her friend.
You have made such hero OF Richard
because he Is my brother. that you are
unfair to Captain Turner. because he has
had opportunities to win higher rank and
greater honors."
Lieutenant Ashcroft had seen over
years service in the Philippines, been
wounded several times, as had also Cap
tain Turner, and now he had written home
that they had leave of absence for six
months and that he was bringing his
hope that this tried and true friend might
some day be his brother. vet wise enough
to let matters take their own course,
confident in the attractions which the
two natures, which he knows 50 we'll. Will
have for each other.
As they reach San Francisco harbof he
is growing impatient, and the express
train hardly travels fast enough 10 carry
him home.
MY sister is expecting us tomorrow,
Ashcroft says to his friend. $50 we will
give her a joyful surprise today"
Alighting at the station they take
cab for the two mile drive. Gertrude
will hardly recognize me In this beard,
he says. and then, as the entrance to the
grounds is reached, there is a hurried con-
versation, the driver is told to stop, and
jumping out one of the gentlemen starts
briskly OF with an injunction to his friend
to hurry on in a minute or two and 30
complete the surprise.
Miss Ashcroft has driven into town late
this afternoon to attend to final prepare
tons for her brothers return. and so 1t
Is Edith Chester. who is on the veranda.
enjoying nature and her favorite author,
when the military figure comes in sight
and steps up the steps. Springlng from
her chair and extending her hand. she
says with a charming smile. Lieutenant
Ashcroft, I am sure; your sister Ger
trude does not expect you until tomorrow
ard has gone in town for an hour or So"
AS the gentleman looks amazed, she In
PRODUCES herself. and touching the bell
for a servant. excuses herself. as she
feels the awkwardness of her position.
When she reaches her room she is feel
ing thoroughly disappointed. but for Just
what reason she cannot tell"
This is her hero" she thinks. but what
disappointment Is the man she has ideal
lied, as only soldiers daughter can do.
She must conceal this feeling and she is
thankful that the dreaded Captain has had
the good sense not to intrude on this first
home coming.
A glance from her window proves she Is
mistaken in her surmises as to this mans
modesty. for there he is. coming across
the lawn with quite the air of supremacy
which she might have known to belong
to the Captain, and she is thankful as she
sees the village cart and Gertrude driv-
ing hurriedly toward the house. She can
hear her exclamation of JOY, and then
follows a confusion Of voices and much
laughter.
The dinner bell soon rings. and having
donned a fresh muslin frock she comes
down stairs, resolved to conceal her feel
ings and mar no ones pleasure. and after
the introductions are over she finds her
self at table opposite the man for whom
she has felt so strange a prejudice. and
yet who attracts her from the first. y
delightful evening of music follows. and
the next day is followed by a succession
of days of restful conversation and drives
and evenings spent in the MUSHROOM.
when the man In whom she Is almost I'M
willingly interested charms them all with
his wonderful voice, and Gertrude, who |
had at first shown great attention TO this |
man, gradually becomes absorbed in her |
brother. who In turn Is most attentive |
and gallant, an ideal brother, one might |
say.
A month has passed during which time |
Cupid has not been idle, for the preju- !
dice and indifference have given place TO |
respect and friendship. and Edith Chester |
begins to realize her mistake In judging |
this man, who seems to her so superior to /
all the men she has met
At last comes the night before the day |
fixed for her departure home. and she Is |
feeling glad that Captain Turner will |
never know the injustice she has done |
him. when a well-known voice says: |
May I intrude upon your privacy, Miss |
Chester. and enjoy this moonlight with |
you? Miss Gertrude and her brother are |
in the library and 1 want to tell you |
And then. as he tells her the old, old |
story, she knows the truth at last, FOR her /
heart tells what her reason has been so |
slow to admit. that this mans regard 10 /
indeed priceless treasure.
- az
fession, but she bravely tells the story
OF how she impulsively wronged him by |
an unjust criticism. and how deeply she /
regrets II, when he takes her In his arms
and says: MY darling. II was no treason
TO me, for you did not even know me
then; j, too, have confession to make,
but as II involves others l must ask YOU
TO walt until tomorrow. II you can then |
forgive me / shall claim you for my wife
and prove my love by a life Of devotion"
As he sees her start at the word con-
fession he adds: 1T is not OF disgrace |
have to ask forgiveness. but of folly al
ready repented. which was perpetrated
with neither thought nor intent OF harm
10 anyone"
And then Gertrude and her brother come
up, and after more general conversation
good nights are exchanged and she is
alone with her new happiness.
In the morning she comes down TO
breakfast. Imagine her horror to see her
over holding in his arms her friend Ger
trude and her him say: DO you think
Edith will forgive my deception when
she knows what We are TO each other7"
With stifed cry she Is turning to
cave the room when she almost runs into
The arms of Lieutenant Ashcroft. who !
smiling says good morning. while the sur
ortsed couple turn. and in a manner ut
.erly audacious but beaminE with happI-