Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-04-07

| SOud- we nau been very Canulu WIN ont
another. and were in fine glow of hon
esty.
Its a breach of confidence, I'm
afraid" said Cheedle "And 1t isn't {
thing you ought to know, because 20,
are vain enough already. mo offense. Of
course, old man. Wore being frank, vol
know. Hang 1t all. I'm vain. too) Du
I tell you this for her sake"
| Her sake? Whose?" I asked.
"All in good time" he replied. ~
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil If 1 didn't
repose so much confidence in your good
taste; for, whatever else you may be
Phil. you are a gentleman"
"a colorado imitation. at least.
hope.' said /.
"You know my wife's cousin?" he be.
San.
"She has so many"
awful crowd! But I mean the -.etty
one"
little girl with flaxen hair? Rather
a shade-too conscious of her profile"
Eyes. Ha, ha! Miss Marsh" He slipped
solemnly.
"Well?
at is a pity. My wife told me-
should never have suspected 1t myself.
She's little bit impressed by you.''
"In love with me?''
Damn your complacency I suppose
30"
~Poor girl" said I.
'She isn't fool. either"
"Not bit of it," I cried.
"That makes 1t all the moro extraordi-
naey"
II don't sec that
my object In telling you Is to warn you
against playing Off that Internal trick of
yours on her. You know what 1 mean?
That way you have of talking to a
woman AZ II she were the only one of her
sex In the world
"a reprehensible habit So dangerous!"
said I. "I will be careful"
Yes, do be careful old man."
We were silent awhile. got up, muir
muring again. Poor girl!' babe fare
well to Cheedle, and went home. 1 had
not intended to be at the Massie's party
on the following evening, but knowing
that Miss March would be there, and feel
ing anxious to begin the cruel business
of disisllusionment ct once-that 1t might
be the sooner over-l dressed and went
The drawing room was very crowded
I looked about for Miss Marsh and pres
emily espied her in far corner. By slow
stages I made my way toward her. She
marked my approach with wistful face,
and when was close enough made room
for me beside hor. Poor thing! We
shook hands and 1 noted a tender light In
her eyes. My heart ached with pity.
How hot 1t is in here!' said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplace uttered
calmly in gale of passion
Eyes" said 1. 81 wonder II we could
get out into the conservatory
We manased 1t by dint of many polite
hustlings, strewng our path with apollo
giles as we went. Our end attained, we
sat down side by side under tub-palm,
and looked at one another.
~. 10 t,- IAr bcI,a
$50 cool!' said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
"The usual rumor concerning you is
out" said she.
Indeed" cried. 1t was no time to be
witty.
"They have married you again, Mr.
WOughtnight.
"Who is the unlucky lady this timer"
''It would not be fair to tell And-two
are mentioned"
Poor girl!
You know that Rumor is lying jade.
Miss Marsh?"
by nature-yes. But sometimes-by |
speaks the truth
How valiantly women cover up their !
scars!
"Of course" said I, there is no foun-
iation for the rumor."
II had hoped there was" said she.
,oftly.
Brave heart! 1t was dire business!
''There may be some day" I murmured.
II mean that 1 expect l shall marry SOON
,r or later"
ooh. l hope So" said she "When YOU
ire a little older. Some strong, helpful
roman with ideals. Not poor little So
,tety butterfy-like me-"
"If she were like you," said I, and
stopped.
"She won't be-" said Miss Marsh,
quickly.
My heart VAS torn with pity of her.
"Oue so s-idom marries the person one
wants to-" said l, breaking the truth to
Ter gently.
"And how much better for us that Is,
sn't it?"
The rejoinder hardly pleased me-
"How do you mean, Miss Marsh?
81 mean that the object of our first love
s so rarely the person to mako US really
lappy."
/ remembered that this was her third
eason.
First love is the only love-" Said 1.
"Ofl, no." said she.
ooh, yes" repeated firmly. 1t was no
inc for mawl<ish faltering. My duty was
lain.
mfr Wroughtnight." said she, "believe
What / am about to say. You are too
Oung yet 10 KNOW WHAT Is pest ior your
wn welfare"
1t seemed an odd way to talk, as was
It least two years her senior; but I re-
ected that she was distraught-that sha
Yas fighting against her own happiness.
~ think" said 1, 81 know Whist Is best
or me, young as 1 may be. When my
ate comes along
THAT time is not yet, of course?' said
he.
Oh. anxious despairlng heart!
mo-" / cried, and shuddered In dread
expectation of some tragic sign from her.
tut she was strangely calm. 1t almost
eemed to me that light of relief leaped
ito her eyes. The relief of the tortured
oul at hearing sentence of death!
A great silence fell on us. She unused,
,oking at mo with strange intentness
"Mr. Wroughtnight," said she. II have
mind to be honest with you. l have q
trong prejudice in favor of honest deal
lg. My honesty may cost me your good ,,
pinion, but l don't mind that. l mean .
nat 1 have enough faith in your good ,,
,nse to believe that you won't think me .
nwomanly and im,nodest In saying what :
propose to say" :
/ rose in great agitation. i
Miss Marsh" l said, pause, reflect :
ont speak yet. You may save us both I
uch pain"
"Nonscnse!' said she sharply.
was surprised and little affronted. c