The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-25
Only a Girl.

''She's only q girl. Gerald: come. brace
| up; surely you are not losing your heart
to her." and. 50 saying, the speaker.
Charles Gordon. urged his friend home
ward.
Strangely contrasted were these two
friends; one dark and handsome, the other
manly and fair.
| The latter, Charles Gordon, the only
/ son Of a wealthy banker. was spending
the summer at Hotel Rose in NJ, and,
at his earnest request, Gerald Austin,
an orphan and heir to a large fortune,
had come to help him pass away the
| time.
| At the opening OF our story they were
walking together along the garden path
| that led to the hotel where they were
staying, Charlie all aglow with excite
ment. Gerald deep in thought. That even
| ing there was TO be grand ball given
in honor of a certain Miss Howard. the
| daughter OF a multi-miilionaire, to which
they had both been invited. and Charlie.
in his eagerqess to see the new debut
| ante, had sought to arouse his friend from
| the reverie into which he had fallen.
| I'm afraid I've already done it, was
! Gerald's only reply to his friends entrea-
| ty to brace up" and. relapsing into his
| quiet mood, together they entered the
| hotel
That evening they both received an in
i
er tall. with light curly hair. laughing
| blue eyes. and a charm of manner that
| was evident to all.
Charlie at once directed his gaze to his
| friend. for we'll ne knew what a danger
Gus rival he had in Gerald Austin. He
found that face as handsome and impas-
sive as ever, but there was a far away
| look in those eyes that plainly stated his
| thoughts.
Where Is Gerald? Why is he so mat
tehtive tonight? All; Eva Howard. with
| all her charms, with all her millions,
could not shut out from him the face
that haunted him day and night. Twice.
and twice only, had he gazed on that
| countenance, but II had left it's imprint
on his heart. Twice, and twice only, once
| at a picnic given by the proprietor of the
hotel. and once, ah! how his thoughts ran
back to the previous evening, when, on
returning from the postoffice, he had
| picked up a dainty white handkerchief,
| and on looking around for the owner he
saw walking before him. at a slow pace,
| a slight but graceful figure. He quick
ened his steps, and on coming up to the
object of his attention quietly said: par
don me. but did you not drop this? l
picked II up down the road"
She turned quickly and Gerald fell
back. startled by the rare beauty pictured
in the face that confronted him. She
took the kerchief. thanked him in a low,
| sweet voice. and started onward when
Gerald. stirred by sudden impulse, beg
ged to be allowed to see her home.
For a moment only she gazed at him.
and then. as If fully convinced that she
could trust him. accepted his proffsred
arm. and together they continued the
journey homeward.
From her own lips ne learned that she
was Margaret Knowlton and was spend
| ing the summer with her aunt in the lit
tie white cottage at the bend of the
road. which Gerald in his rapture did not
see lying before them.
Eyes of the deepest azure gaZed into his
as she thanked him for his kindness. while
Gerald. enchanted. drank in the exqui-
site loneliness of her countenance.
On leaving her at the gate he expressed
desire 10 meet her again. and, bidding
her good night" went away. leaving
his heart behind him.
Next morning while walking he confided
his secret to Charles, who. unknown to
Gerald, had already met Miss Knowlton,
and, instead OF receiving the consolation
he sought. Charlie had put him off. say
ing: shes only a girl. Gerald, just pass
ed 49," and urged his friend to forget her.
The ball had no charm for Gerald. and
Miss Howard, after vainly endeavoring
to draw his attention. had contented her
self with Mr.. Gordon, who was already
victim Of Cupid.
charles was greatly irritated at his
friends behavior, though at the same time
he was secretly glad that at least he
would not have him for a rival. knowing
that IL Gerald chose to display his charms
he (Charle) would have to take the back
ground.
Those magnificent eyes were enough to
enlighten any heart, and many were the
maidens that longed for a smile from
that beautifully curved mouth: but for
them Gerald cared naught. ''Only a girl"
as his friend had told him. but Margaret
Knowlton, be she girl or woman, had
captured Gerald Austin's heart.
Four months have now passed and Ger
aid has met Miss Knowlton again and
again. II is a calm August evening. and
The has determined to learn his fate.
Together they stroll in the twilight. The
moon peeping from behind the hill sheds
its soft, mellow light upon them. while
the roguish stars twinkle with merriment
| as they eagerly listen to catch those few
brief words that mean so much. Softly
are they waited on the still night air, as
Gerald almost unconsclously whispers:
Margaret. ! love you
Sacred Is the silence that follows. The
beautiful head is raised. and as Margaret.
in all her girlish simplicity. repeats his
| words, their lips feet in one long, loving
kiss.
Six years have passed. and we find our
selves In the New York mansion Of Mr..
and Mrs. Austin.
Suddenly the door-bell rings. and with
out waiting to be announced. Charles Cor
| don rushes in. followed by Eva Howard,
| now Mrs. Gordon.
Dumping into Gerald In the hail. ne
bor 1l m
| forth: We'll. old fellow, what's all this
| I hear? All New York congratulating you
and l knew nothing about II. Eva and
took the first train down as soon as
we heard it
Mrs. Gordon's face wore a puzzled smile,
| as. in answeE TO her husband's' questions,
! Gerald Austin calmly answers: IT'S only
a girl. Charles; only (baby) GIRL
| Boston Post.