The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-13
Acall to Arms


II don't love hfrhs and / never can. and
won't be coerced int marrying him."
SAID Lorna, with stamp OF her dainty
loot Her father ran MS fingers through
his hair as IL that ''coerced" had aIighted
somewhere In that vicinity. Really, Lor-
able :
The whole conversation had come about
through HIS desire to see Lorna provided
and, as his income ceased at his death,
his daughter would be left well-nigh PEN
niless.
Ralph Waldron had more money than
/ ne could spend. was man OF fine appear
anee, and liked by every one but impul-
sive Lorna, who had taken II into her
head to ill-treat him on every occasion.
This afternoon she had refused to dance
with Ralph at a lawn party, and had
nearly broken her fathers heart by her
persistent obstinacy. Ralph. for his part.
had taken the snubbing wonderfully well,
put Ralph's father had singled out Mr..
JeHries and complained to him that the
union they had planned between their
children seemed never going to take place
wherefore Mr.. Jeffries saw 1T to remon-
strate with HIS willful child. Now he
stood regarding her from over the tops
OF his glasses with severe, but anxious
gaze.
Il don't care IL am" says Lorna. with
superb disdain. You imagine that an
you have to do Is to say love him. and
III fall into any mans arms without q
murmur. He might have pug nose. and
squint, and wooden leg: you wouldn't
care, IF only he had money"
Seeing that the war was In danger OF
being long one, Mr.. Jeffries decided to
storm the citadel In his best style. He
drew his chair up beside hers and began In
his most confidential tone: Seriously,
Larna, what is your objection to Mr.. Wal
dron?"
20. they are too many to name" she
responded. flippantly. ST think It Is his
temper mostly. He Is so cross and crab
bed I suppose you'd like me to marry
a man who'd beat me, that Is your idea
Of proper husband"
Mr.. Jeffries got up in despair. "It IL
no use talking to you" he said. as he
left the room.
Not in the least" called Lorna, "for
I'll never marry him-never"
That's So" said voice behind tpr,
and. turning. she beheid Ralph Waldron.
His face told her he had heard every
word.
at must apologize for being here" he
said. at thought the servant had an
nounced me. The curtains watch separate
these rooms could not dull the sound.
heard what you said, and I withdraw the
claim to yourhand which my father made
for me In my infancy. You will remem-
Der that I never made that claim for
myself"
''well?" she murmured, meeting his
glance with a heroic attempt at cool in
difference.
There is nothing more. I came to say
good-by. The President has decided to
send fresh troops to Cuba and my regi-
ment has been ordered out"
She grasped the back of chair as II
she was going to fall, then said In a low,
strained voice, Aren't you afraid? You
aren't strong. and the fever, you know"
Yes, know, but can only die once,
and then they won't worry you any more
about me-"
She choked with tears, and. giving him
her hand, said only the word "good-by,"
but turned from the window as he vault
ed into the saddle, 20 fling herself down
in a miserable little heap on the floor.
o, IL he had only loved her, how gladly
would she have given up everything In
the world for him; but he didn't care-he
didn't care.
1t seemed hours since he had gone. In
reality Il was only few moments when
there was a terrific ringing at The. door
BELL. Mr.. WaldroR had. been thrown
from his horse and severely injured;
would Mr., Jeffries please conner,
But before the last words had left the
mans mouth Lorna Was flying down the
road. and when her lover returned to con-
bciousnass he had forgotten everything
but that he loved htf. and twinfng his
arms around the hthe-form bending over
him, murmured the word darling" which
she wouldn't have thought was meant for
her If II hadn't been,for the look in his
eyes: but, being convinced, she bent her
lovely face to his and kissed him with
all her heart in that swift -cafess.
As the day passed by and she nursed
him back to health, Ralph waldron
agreed that his call to arms had been
one of q different sort. for his fractured
limb would not let him go to Ctiba, and
the hardest battle he ever fought was the
battle for a woman's love.-Boston Post.