The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-21
Two Bidders

| 0NN-N-0s Tic hllSllcu SlOtA Oh 1l4NA up
IA water whenever there was a trif1e
heavier rain than usual. and the half
mile walk from the depot, however en-
chanting in fowery time. gave Mr.. Frank
lyn a jumping neuralgia when traversed
IN a drizzly equinoctial. The butcher for
got to call just when his wares were
needed most. the next-door neighbor
charged a little more than city prices for
his milk, eggs, and butter! and the cook
and chambermaid left at the end of the
| first month.
SO that life in the rural districts was
not altogether without trials 10 Mrs. Lau-
rance Franklyn, and about the time that
New York houses break out into harm
less erysipeias of bills, having the le-
gends: TO let" and For SALE she said
to her husband:
Don't you think, dear, it would be well
enough for US to return to the city?"
Yes, do said Mr.. FRANKLIN.
Miss Julia Lesiardi, Mrs. Franklyn's
pretty B-year-old sister, clapped her
hands.
Good goodr' cried she. 'sNow shall
nave some sort of chance at morning con-
certs and the opera again.
And house hunting commenced in good
earnest
But it tagged after the first edge of en-
thusiastic enterprise was worn off. None
OF the houses suited exactly.
Mrs. Franklyn said that, as far as she
was concerned, she would just as soon
| stay where they were. Mr.. Franklin re-
torted that anything was better than an
| indolent woman. Mrs. FRANKLIN burst
| into tears. Mr.. FRANKLIN went out of the
| room, banging the door behind. Miss
| Lesiardi declared that all men were
! brutes, and that she for one never in
| tended to be married
II don't care" sobbed Mrs. Franklin.
1T was all Laurences fault, taking this
horrid, damp hole"
80, Bee, how can you sa SOP" said
| Miss Lesiardi; you were as wild after
| it as he was
And" added Bee, ignoring this inter-
| ruption, ''if we have to live on the grass
under an umbrella shall make no fur
| Their Efforts
Mr.. Franklin said the same thing, and
Miss Lesiardi was just making up her
mind to another season of frogs, damp
kitchen, and fresh eggs at eight cents
| apiece, when Bee came exultingly back
| from the city one evening.
| 30, Julia!" cried she, 'Tve seen the
| sweetest little gem of housev'
Been house hunting, eh?'' said Miss
Lesiardi, who had got tea ready-(the
| thirteenth help had gone off in huff
that morning..
''Well-no, not exactly house hunting
you know. I wouldn't do that after Lau-
rence's shameful behaviorI But 1 saw
the bill and I went in. The neighborhood
delightful, the park handy"
and the rent?" eagerly demanded Miss
Lesiardi, with eyes like blue moons.
only eighteen hundred a year.
''O!" said Julia. But isn't that a great
deal?'
mot when you consider the price Of
houses in general. I'll go back tomorrow
and secure it; but mind, it's a secret
don't want Laurence to know that have
taken any trouble, after his hateful
words!'
Mrs. FRANKLIN had retired to bed when
her husband came home. Miss Lesiardi,
however, was up to pour his tea
We'll, Julia" said Mr.. Franklin, 1--WE
found the house we want
Julia looked up with almost scared ex-
preston in her face.
You haven't taken it, Laurence?"
mo; but 1 shall tomorrow
Il wouldn't do anything without con-
sulting Bee pleaded Julia
II shall give her a pleasant surprise"
said Mr. FRANKLIN, buttering a muffin.
Remember, Ju, this is between you and
me-"
A4S 4ACAN l4OillllS fTdnklEn went
TO New York. Bee followed in the next
train; while Miss Lesiardi breathlessly
awaited the crisis.
Mrs. FRANKLIN returned rather earlier
than her sister had expected her. with a
bright, flushed face.
Well said Julia. breathlessly.
I've agreed to pay two thousand year
for it, said Mrs. FRANKLIN.
Two thousandp' echoed Miss Iesiardl |
Il
well, so it was, but there's another |
party, it seems, anxious 40 secure the |
house, and"
% nonsense" exclaimed Julia; that's |
only the professional landlady's ruse.'
20, but it's true" persisted Bee. "for
L saw his hat on the sideboard and 7 |
caught a glimpse of his legs walking |
about in the upper story to see If the |
paint was in good order on the second |
MOOR so L said I'd give her two thou |
sand"
And suppose the other partv-wbo. 7 |
dare say, was the plumber or gasfitter, or |
perhaps the carpenter, come to see about |
repairs-should offer twenty-five hum |
dred?'
He won't" said Bee. confidently. THE
house isn't worth that
But ! really think. Bee. darling, you'd |
better speak to Laurence"
% WIZ, Sald bee, this evening. He /
viii see that his wife is something more
than dead letter in the family But I
want you TO go and see the house this
afternoon, Julia"
The level rays of the soft April sunset
were shining into the pretty little double
drawing-room of the house on Willard
square as Bee led her sister exultantly in
to it,
Just look at those marble mantels."
she said. and the pattern of the cornices.
AND the p!erglasses and the gas fixtures
so with the house, and"
., l beg your pardon, ma'am, I'm
sure said a falcon-nosed, elderly lady.
who advanced, bearing with her a smell
of dyed bombazine. I'm sorry 10 disap-
point you, but"
You have not let the house?"
es, am. have. a poor lone widow
like me has her own interests to look
10, and the gentleman offered $3.50 a
year II I'd sign the papers at once. which,
with reflective look at her pocket hand
kerchief. II did
Mrs. FRANKLIN rose in great indignation.
her voice rising accordingly.
I really think" said she. at should be
justified in placing this matter in the
hands Of the lawyers. and
why, Bee, my darlingi'
Laurence
The folding doors slid back. and Mrs.
Franklin found herselt. vis-a-vis with her !
husband
Here's the gent himself" said the an
sient female. Which he can explain
You never have taken this house. Iau-
-ence," almost shrieked Mrs. Franklyn.
Yes, have. my dear" -