The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-28
Iha Decision.

don't know which one / like best, and
am not sure that love either OF them"
Thus soliloQuized Grace Goodwin, as for
the hundredth time she eompared her
wouid-be lovers, weighing their pros and
cons. Stanley Porter was handsome. fas-
cinating. and wealthy. Her family would
be greatly pleased, and the eyes Of the
world would look upon Il as fine match.
Frank Maynard, on the other hand,
though a fine, manly fellow, boasted OF
no good looks. was quiet and reserved,
with but q moderate amount or this
worlds goods; while she was the only
daughter Of the '.nabob'' Of the town,
beautiful. accomplished and wealthy.
She had known both young men from
Childhood. and they had always been good
friends, nothing more; but for the last
year they had evinced an unusual desire
for her company, and showed her many
marked attentions, which she tried to ac-
cept in friendly, impartial way.
Matters Unexpectedly camc to a head.
however. as both men had enlisted for
service In the Cuban war, and the thought
Of the coming parting and The uncertain
ty Of war influenced them to tell Grace
Of their love.
As she had never taken the attention
OF the young men seriously, she was
somewhat taken back at the sudden turn
Of affairs. and did not know how to an
swer them. She had promised to ten
them something definite tonight, however.
as their regiment left on the morrow. so
she endeavored. to search her heart and
know the truth, but all in vain 'I can
rn oil a a
finally remarked, ''for I do not know.
will wait until they return, for perhaps
their absence will give me an opportu-
nifty to know my own mind better. I
want to be fair and just to them both
as well as to myself. Surely something
will happen which will help me to de-
eide rightly"
Thus two disappointed but hopeful
young men left for the tropical isle. one
eager for glory and fame. determined to
make a name for himself, at whatever
cost, the other anxious to simply do his
duty, whatever 1t might be.
Grace eagerly scanned the papers day
by day, breathing sigh OF relief when
among the list of dead and wounded she
saw no familiar names.
One evening as she was reading an ac-
count Of a stirring battle she saw this
item: Private Stanley Porter, for his
unusual daring and bravery, Is given COM
mand Of Company c of the Second Mass
achusetts Volunteers, on account of the
sudden death of Captain Brown"
All! that was just like Stanley. thought
Grace. She knew he would acquit him
self II he had a chance, and she felt a
little thrill of satisfied pride. A few days
later, as she was again scanning the pa
per, she saw among the list Of wounded
this name: frank Maynard, right arm
shot on" Her eyes filled with sympa-
thetic tears as she murmured: Poor
Frank; how dreadful? The streets
of the town Of s. were filled with such
a motley crowd as had not been seen for
many a day. Flags and bunting were
seen flying around from every window,
and all business was suspended, for this
was to be gala occasion. Suddenly the
band begins to play, when Johnnie
Comes Marching Home Again." as the
sound OF tramping feet is heard in the
distance.
Cheer upon cheer rends the air when the
little company Of returned heroes come in
sight, clad in their brown duck uniforms
and soft SLOUGH hats. Handsome Stanley
pany, smiling and bowling to every one,
all the while glancing hurriedly through
the crowd for the sight of one fair face.
The owner of that fair face returns his
salutation as she meets his glance, then
let's her eyes wander anxiously down the
marching column till they catch sight OF
a pale, thin face and empty coat sleeve.
She bends eagerly forward. but he looks
straight ahead, turning neither to the
right nor left. She draws back, hurt and
disappointed, just as a young army sur
geon standing near remarks: TOO bad
about Maynard. / saw him when he fell.
II he had kept on with his company he
would have been all right, but he Jagged
behind to give some poor fellow q drink
and listen to his babblings about home
and mother. The boy only lived a few
minutes, but 1t was one too many, for as
ran to overtake his comrades
the shot came which took his arm"
When the parade was over the crowd
to the town hall, where a ban
quet was served in honor of the soldier
boys. AS Stanley Porter led Grace Good
win to a seat beside him the world looked
on and smiled and nodded approvingly.
1t was the day after the festival and
Frank Maynard lay idly swinging In the
hammock on the shady veranda- He had
not seen Grace since his return. He had
not been for his answer. What was the
use? That was all over now. AS he
unused he heard light footsteps, and, look
ing up, beheld the object Of his thoughts.
He blushed and stammered somethiRs
about being glad to see her. End-but
never mind what followed. It is only
necessary to add that in a few weeks a
quiet wedding was solemnized In the old
stone church, the bride being beauti-
full, wealthy girl and the groom q one
armed soldier, while the world looked on
and wondered-Boston Post.