The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-31
That Suit casa

Baker and me-" she was saying yehe-
mently. Frances, I sent that gentle
man an invitation to the Junior prom. two
months ago, and ne not only never an
swered the letter, bat went to the prom.
with another girl. Such rudeness! I've
sent back all his presents and never want
to see him again. But, for that matter.
l suppose shall, - ] get home. he
lives just next door, and always goes
home as soon as college II Out"
why, Ruth suddenly calculated her
friend. looking out OF the window.
Here's your station Hurry. dear, Or
you'll be late Good-by, and we'll meet
again at Smith in September"
Poor John Baker, Jr.t pity hfE
when they meet" she added to herself.
as she watched Ruth seize her umbrella
and suit case and hurry OF the ear.
Harrington. the driver of the old yellow
coach that connected the little out-of-the-
| way town Of Thorndale with the rest OF
the world, was looking I'D and down the
platform. His old eyes frightened when
he saw Ruth. ben hopin' yer'd come On
that train," he cried, taking her baggage
checks. Jump right in. There's only
one other passenger, and reckon you
know him.
4 Opclpc0 the CdICn COoE d4Iu Tue gil
stepped in. With q crack Of the whip
they were on, almost before Ruth had
time to recognize In her feIlow-passenger
John Baker, Jr.
Good evening"" she said, cody.
Good evening" was his equally chilly
reply. John Baker became at once alb
sorbed in the evenings news. The coach
Jolted on over hills and hollowS
Pears to me-" remarked old Earring
ton. putting his head in the window. ''ye
| amt got so much to say to each other
as usual. Your folks goin' to meet yer
at the village, Miss Ruth?"
They don't expect me tonight" Ruth
answered brightly. But Jerry always
comes down about this time for the mail,
and I shall ride back with him"
John goin' with yer?'
'If he likes" she said, stiffly.
'T shall walk tonight. I'm not going
directly home" came decidedly from John
Baker, buried behind his paper.
''Oho!" said old Harrington. softly. He
shook his head once or twice, but said no
more. Don't see your wagon hereabouts.
Miss Ruth" he ventured to remark as he
handed down her suit case at the end Of
the route.
at will be right along, and am In no
hurry" And she sat down on the post
office steps to wait. John Baker strobe
OF without a word.
The minutes passed, but no wagon came
After time the postmistress came to the
door. you amt waiting for your Jerry,
I hope, Miss Kenyon" she said, for he
said this morning ne wasn't coming down
again today"
Thank you." replied the girl, with
rather q ve1ed laugh. "Then, ! must
walk" She picked up her suit case and
started down the long. dusty road. The
spirits Of our college girl dropped as she
plodded On IN the hot summer twilight,
from time to time shifting from one hand
to the other her heavy dress suit case
She began to think resentfully Of all she
had crammed into 1t at the last moment,
particularly Of seventeen different photo
graphs OF the same Yale senior, all of
them dated before that junior prom.
Then there was sharp step behind
her. Looking quickly back. she confront
ed-John Baker.
RUTH he said angrily, "tiaey told me
you had started, SO ! followed This Is
no place for girl to be alone" He
glanced about at the gathering darkness.
Let me carry that suit case; It's too
heavy for you"
Ruth Kenyon suddenly Strengthened Ike |
a ramrod, and her eyes flashed. but she |
made no answer. John Bakers wrath |
blazed higher. Miss Kenyon, / must find |
out what all this outrageous treatment of |
me means. I will not stand 1t any |
longer!"
II Will not discuss that matter now, Mt |
Baker" che broke In. Baker wiped a !
perspiring brow and gave up in despair.
The walk seemed endless, but at last the |
Kenyon house appeared at the end of q |
long pasture. which was separated from |
the road by a high stone wall. Before |
John Baker noticed what she was going |
to do. Ruth had turned. placed her suit /
case on top Of the wall. and climbed up |
herself.
Happened, neither Of them ever clearly
knew. Instantly there was a rolling |
sound. crash, and q moment later John
was over the wall lifting the girls pros
trate figure from the ground. In his ex-
element nc forgot everything except that
the girl he loved lay motionless before
him.
Ruth" he cried brokenly, fare you hurt
badly? Speak. dear" At his words she
staggered to her feet. I'm not hurt
much. That case made me Sip" she said
but her lips were pale and trembling
Thank you" she added. as he handed
her letter which lay on the ground
where she had fallen. In the bright NOON
light she read the address written IN her
own handwriting, Mr.. John Baker, Jr.,
Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
john she cried, suddenly facing him.
Light a match" And minute late-
John Baker" she sobhed, eft was all
my fault. I thought you weren't gen.
tlenan for not answering my invitation
TO the junior promenade, when ! never
mailed the letter. It must have Leea IN
that suit case all this time. Can we ever
be friends again. John?"
NO" said he. springing forward with ,
b cry OF Joy. I'VE can't be simply
friends It's got to be something more i,
than friends this time, Ruth
John Baker paused on his front doorstep ,
before going in that night 10 :vok up
At bright light in the house next door. | ,
Poor girl. she did hurt herself he said ,
gently. And II was all on account of ,
hat plaguey suit case. But ! was des- :
1erate, and it gave me q chance to tell
her how feel about Us two. anyway" .
He laughed softly. then opened the door ,
md went in.-SBoston Post.
PspuIatiOa 81 Caba.
The census Of Cuba, to be taken BY the :
United States government under the d. I
'ection OF Lieutenant Colonel Joseph p. I
sanger, will be the first census taken in |
Ia ~ cfv f. !