The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-19
A Sacrifice.

The young man stood with his back 70
the fire and his hands thrust into his
trouser pockets
Mrs. Langley sat on the lounge sobbing
| hystericaHy. Her husband, Colonel Lang
ley, strobe up and down the room. angrily
displacing various chairs and tables,
whilst the boys cousin, for he was not
mucn more than boy in years, tried to
paeify the trio.
All right, sir; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last word
was lost as the door slammed behind the
irate Colonel
%, Ted! How can you be so foolish?''
said Mrs. Langley, brokenly. How can
you cream of marrying a vulgar, unedu-
| Gated dancer?"
Mother" replied the boy, sternly. 81
ioVe Madge Baptiste, and whether she be
dancer or Duchess, a rnillionairess or
retired shopkeeper's daughter, it can
matter to no one but myself If I really
love her.
Inc mother recommended her hystericai
cries. The cousin, a fair, pretty girl about
MS own age, went TO him and rested her
hand on his shoulder. Teddy, say no
more now, but come with me. Let US
thlnk the matter over calmly"
Inc next evening Gwendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove TO the
nightly.
1t was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card, telling the commission
ARE that her business was urgent. He re-
turned with the information that Miss
Baptiste would see Miss Harper for a few
minutes. Then she found herself in
small and dainty dressing-room. Clouds
OF soft, silken petticoats lay here and
there. A large jar of flowers stood on the
mantelpiece, and the dressing table was
covered with silver powder boxes, scent
bottles and makeup" utensils. Photo
graphs of actors, painters, and poets stood
IN every available corner; old programs
In wooden frames and one or two etch-
ings hung on the walls.
Before large mirror stood Miss Madge
Baptiste arranging her hair.
All, come in, Miss-Harper. Excuse the
untidy state of the room. I think you'll
find chair. Let me see, I don't think
L have met you before-perhaps you are
journalist, Or"
mo, I haven't ever met you before"
stammered Gwendoline. 'I-came-I think
you know my cousin, Mr.. Langley" She
felt her face growing red. She did not
know why she blushed, but this vivacious,
beautiful girl frightened her. She had ex-
pected to find such a different woman
a vulgar, ill-5red woman.
''Mr. Langley? Teddy! o, yes, know
him well. So you are his cousin? Pleased
to meet you-he is not i'll. hope?"
''No, he is not ILL.,
20, that's all right. Ted and I are fond
of each other, you know; in fact, we think
of getting married soon-at least, he
thinks of it. 1 didn't know he had a
cousin, such a pretty cousin, tool" with
a laugh; The kept that a secret"
II really came to speak about it-about
this marriage" said Gwendoline, nerv-
ously. you know his people
90" Madge Baptiste turned sharply
from regarding herself in the mirror. 20,
L understand They have heard-perhaps
he told them; he said he should. They
object-ah? And your" She drew a chair
opposite the girl, and sat down, and rest
ed her arms on her knees with her face
between her hands.
II am only his cousin-we have been
chums always. I said 1 would see you,
and tell you that his father and mother
were angry; that he was merely boy
and"
Yes, yes-I know-don't go on" She
looked Gwendoline up and down She saw
her youth; she guessed the real reason
of her visit. Tied is a boy in years,
know, but he is man for all that. He
is % and am %. Besides, I am only a
dancer, and he IS Colonel Langleys son.
Please understand 1 have-on-wish to
marry him-if his parents object. I viii
tell him he must go away and not see
me again. I shall miss him at first, I
expect. A dancers life is a lonely one.
you know. She has so few friends, and
unless She. All, there is the call boy.
Well, good-by-and if don't see-Teddy-
again-say good-by to him-for me-
But Miss Harper had risen. and was
holding Madge Baptistes hands In hers.
whilst two tears ran down her cheeks.
20, don't, pleased How cruel you must
think mel I didn't mean to- really
didn't. But his mother was so unhappy.
and I thought you were al mean, 1
didn't dream yon really cared for him.
He shall marry you! know he loves
you and then she burst out cry
Ing
Miss Baptiste! Curtains waiting!
Hurry up"' yelled small youth at the
door.
Let it wait; can't come" replied the
dancer, CURLY. Then in a soft, gentle
voice to Gwendoline: Don't cry, dear;
you have been ever so kind. I know you
meant well in coming. But 1 don't think
I had better see him again; you'll make
a much better wife than L" there was
a suspicious break in her voice.
mo, no. said Gwendoline. between her
sobs blushing violently; II never thought
of that-I only care for him as a sister,"
but as she said it, she realized that she
lied.
Come. dry your eyes-why. I'm begin
ming now! What pretty pair we are
Poor Ted! Why, here are two nice girls
each trying to make the other marry
him
'You-you-wi1 marry him. Promise!
shall never forgive myself-if you don't.
I did not know you were so good and so
beautiful
Why, how do you know it now? Per-
haps I am only humbugging you"
You are not-I see 1t in your eyes. You
will marry him-won't your
What will father and mother say?"
20, I'll interview them" laughed Gwen,
drying her eyes.
Even as you interviewed me? Yes,
viii marry Teddy If you really wish II,
but not else. I couldn't hurt such good
little thing as you"
And then both women began 10 cry
again, holding each others hands.
The manager had to announce that Miss
Madge Baptiste was unable to perform
that night.
And Miss Gwendoline Harper also an
nounced, in Colonel Langley's dra wing
room. that Madge Baptiste and her cousin
Ted were quite right to marry each 9th !
er. and that she would help them through !
the ceremony.
And Ted kissed her and said she was
brick. and the Colonel hoisted the white /
flag.
And after It was ali over, Gdendoline /
sat in her bedroom holding a photo OF her /
cousin in her hand. And her tears splash /
ed dismalIy on the faded portrait. I hope /
she viii love him-as much as love him."