The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-12
At the Seaside.


"You will not persist in that drive. will
you, Estelle?'' he asked. pieadingly, but
he might have been speaking to the stone
wall near them for al 5he effect his plead
ing had.
With a light laugh EsteIle Markham
glanced out to sea and suggested that they
were going to have q storm soon. She
looked so pretty standing there. The sun
shining through the crimson chiffon OF her
sunshade threw a rudy glow on her
golden head and turned her soft white
shirt waist 10 becoming pink But she
was as heartless as she was pretty.
See here" exclaimed her. companion,
Ensign Jack Whiting. by name, you
should not carry on so with Blake. He's
no sort of chap for you. and you surely
would not want 10 go driving vita a
man who cannot take care OF himself. let
alone lady. You shan't 20 with him..
Miss Markham's parasol closed with q
snap. and she drew herself up proudly
as she said: mr.. Blake at least does not
malign people behind their backs, and
o, Mr.. Blake" this with a charming
smile to a young man who was passing
at the time. would you mind escorting
me back to the hotel?"
Ensign Whiting savagely kicked a small
pebble near him, and his feelings found
vent in a naughty word, after which he
drew himself up, threw out his chest, and
marched back to Hotel Carte as II on pa
rade.
That afternoon as ne ran lightly down
the steps Of the hotel he saw a dog cart
drawn up to the door and knew that
Estelle Markham had not changed her
mind about her drive. He asked the man
t the horses head where the team was
going, and found they were to go to the
Witches Cauldron, few miles away. Il
can at least protect her II need be-" he
thought. Arriving at the little house that
did duty as a hotel near the Cauldron,
he found that the other cart had already
been there. and that the party had gone
to view the surging, seething wafer
among the rocks.
The sky meanwhile had become over
cast, and already a few heavy drops Of
rain had fallen. From his point Of want
age in the stable he saw. Estelle Markham
and Mr.. Blake hurry up the road and en-
ter the house, where.they ordered lunch
to pass away the time while II rained.
To his horror Jack heard Blake call for
a bottle of wine, and heard also Estelle's
indignant declaration that she could not
be induced to touch It.
But don't deprive yourself Of II for
me-" she said, sweetly. "If you are used
to 1t, as you say, I should feel dreadful
II you did not take It."
Just as q medicine, you know" muir
INJURED Blake, as he poured the ruby liquid
with master hand.
A piece of silver to the stable boy and
Jack was to be notified when the other
dag cart started. Estelle had come out
upon the little veranda to see the rain
bow after the shower and had left her
escort, as she believed, to settle with the
cashier, but In reality to indulge In anoth-
er bottle of "your excellent wine"
At last the team came round AMI Blake
handed Estelle in carefully. and tucked
the light robe over her knees with great
empressment and on they started at
rapid pace.
Dusk was falling and it was with Diff
f1culty that Jack whiting could keep the
other carriage in sight When they were
but about a mile from Hotel Carte Whit
ing thought he heard little scream from
the carriage in front, and drove his team
up nearer. He could then see that Blake
was leaning towards Miss Markham. talk
ing in a low, amused tone. while Estelle
glanced about her frightened sort OF
a way.
Let me pass there" Ensign Writings
clear voice called. E}s
Jack" came back from the first team
in voice that sounded as IL her whole
soul was In IL. >"
"You can't pass now" called Mr.. Blake
in thick tones. Miss Markham and I
are too happy as we are. aren't we, Es-
teller"
There was a whizzing sound in the air
and Jack Whiting brought his long riding
whip down on the insolent young man.
At the same time Estelle Markham Leap
ed lightly to the ground and the horse in
Blakes wagon started angrily for the
hotel.
Estelle came into Writings carriage IN
a slammed sort of way and not a word
was spoken until the big hotel came "a
sight. Cautiously She put on: her hand
and laid 1t lightly upon his. He closed
his fingers tightly over 1t for a moment
and then opened his hand, looked down
at hers. lying there so small and white.
"Shall II" he began, and she answered
softly, moving a little closer to him:
Eyes, keen it"-Boston Post.