The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-01
The Love Letter,

quite comfortable now?' asked CraW-
ford, Of the News, as he threw rug
across Vandeleur's feet
Perfectly, thanks
Vandeleur closed his eyes restfully. He
looked pale adm thin, and his left arm
rested in sling.
After few puffs Crawford burst out;
BY Jovet isn't this glorious? what
difference there is between it and Om-
durmani'
Rather. All the same. I liked it. I
hkeo the rush and whirl; aye, even the
killing and the chance of being killed,
adding cynically, Il suppose I am I'M
grateful, but sometimes I wish that Arab
sword had caught me a few inches lower
down.
on, stop that What ais you, man? I
often wonder whether it was professional
enterprise made you so reckless, ora
love affair, Ell? BY Jove! that reminds
me Of something. A lady az breakfast
this moring some way or other got 10
know that I was Crawford, the News
man. She had also evidently heard that
you and 1 had been pretty thick at the
front, as she inquired il you had complete
ly recovered; seemed quite interested in
you, old chap. Her name Is Sinclair"
Sinclair
Yes-heavensi what's the matter, old
man? You do look queer
We'll, old fellow, you see I knew her
once. Engaged, got chucked: somehow,
you see. / can't-you understand"
Crawford quietly stopped down and
grasped Vandeleur's hand. There was a
lot OF silent sympathy in that quiet hand
clasp.
Forgive me- old chap; didn't know.
You see, We hadn't met until after-after
that"
Don't apologize. am so confoundedly
weak. Crawford, I can't stay here;
must get away. can't meet her again
or, at least not just yet"
On, NONSENSE You can't go just when
the air is pulling you round SO well. Be-
sides. there is little possibility OF your
meeting, as she is not even aware OF your
being here. Halo, there's White calling
me. Do you mind my leaving you for a
few minutes?''
Not at all. In fact-1 am afraid it's
ont exactly complimentary to yuo, old
fellwo, but I would rather be alone for
a bit. You understand"
Crawford comprehended, and merely
said: II understand, old man: I'll be back
IN half an hour" then quietly walked
off
Vandeleur sat thinking. His thoughts
were bitter as they went back two years,
and eh recalled the i1eartless manner in
which this woman threw him over with
out any perceptible reason. He could
never understand it.
A strangely familiar figure was coming
toward him, and his fingers nervously
twisted and UNFINISHED as he recognize !!
the one woman in all the world whom ne
least desired to meet
So immersed was Miss Sinclair with her
reading that sch failed to notice the man,
who was rather feebly esayiag to light
. ole 70 et,o oil
At the first glance, however, she rec
ognized him. and the sudden shock was
almost painful, but, recovering herself in
a moment, walked straight up to Van
deleur and held out her hand, saying
gently:
'I am so glad, Mr. vandelieur. to see
that you are better-so very glad"
Although Vandelieurs heart beat quick
~, he was outwardly calm and cool as he
replied nonchalantly:
THANK you. Except for ten fact of
feeling rather weak now and then, am
comparatively we'll l rtust you are quite
well, Miss Sinclair"
Eyes, I am very well, than you, but
but Mr.. Crawford told me you had by
no means recovered yet"
''Pshaw! Crawford is an awfully good
fellow; but, you know, he occasionally
constructs a mountain out of a, molehill."
Pointing to the seat which Crawford had
vacated a few minutes previously, he con-
tinued:
Won't you please sit down, Miss Sin
clair? I long to have a chat with an old
friend
With dull pain at her heart she noted
the unmistakable evidence Of suffering in
his look.
He will never forgive, she thought
never.
Neither spoke for some minuets, and
hte pause was becoming awkward. when
puff of wind disarranged Vandeleur's rug.
He feebly essayed to reach for 1t; but
Miss Sinclair forestalled him, and with
a please allow me-" arranged it.
While doing so her hand slightly touch
ed that of Vandeleur, causing the blood
to jump madly through his veins, while
the color flooded her own face
Presently Miss Sinclair said hesitating-
ly: II have been trying for the last few
minutes toto say something. VIII you
listen? I want to ask your pardon. Some
time ago wei quarreled with you, appar-
emily without any oStensible cause what
ever. Three months ago 1 discovered the
fact that 1 had done you a grievous
wrong"
''Took you sometime, didn't it?" sar-
castically dnterjected Vandeleur. "I was
acquainted with the fact exactly eighteen
months ago."
The venom Of his remark almost scorch-
ed the words on her lips, but she quietly
proceeded:
please reserve your sarcasm until you
have heard me. Not even the fear of your
misunderstanding shall deter me from per-
forming what I consider TO be right and
my duty TO do tt is right you should
know that I had some slight excuse for
my apparent wanton capriciousness."
please go on" he said.
Thank you" she replied quietly. 81
will. The Story of Man and Woman
is an old title. and has been used many
times yet I purpose using It once again
as a heading for my narrative"
She paused a moment to collect her
thoughts. Then she continued:
The man in this particular case ap-
peared to love the woman very dearly,
ton"
vandelieur started and shifted his po-
sition slightly.
He was a writer of books" she contin-
ued, "and on her twenty-third birthday
he presented her with the first proof OF
the book that had made his name. It
was a unique present, and she appreci-
ated is accordingly, until on turning over
the leaves she found between the pages
letter.
1T was a love letter. written in the
mans handwriting on a large sheet Of
paper, and signed with his Christian
name, but not meant for her; the name
OF the woman for whom 1t was designed
was Gladys"
Heavens" cried vandelieur, hoarseiy.
81 The Hand on the Wheel Il was the
page OF manuscript that I could never
fndt'
Yes" she said. quietly, 'It was a page
OF manuscript that you had lost. She.
however. did not discover this until later;