The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-28
A Strangers Query.

| laughing face upturned 10 his gaze.
AS his ewes met Cora Marricott's she
| fushes a hot. vivid crimson and with
draws her hand Instinctiyely he raises
his hat, but with q muttered IL beg
your PARDON the girl fits On, and her
butterfly robes are soon lost in the brill
liant throng.
Smiling, and still puzzled at the recent
encounter, he passes on TO exchange a
greeting with Lady Lorraine and her pref
How do you do. Mr.. Carlyon?" De-
lighted TO see you back again-just in
time for our ball. 1 hope you will come"
''Wh$t a sad thing about the Testers.
I suppose the property goes to distant
cousin?"
Yes. Miss MARRIOTT"
Lady Loraine's spacious rooms are filed
with dancers; the sound of dreamy
waltz falls on the ear, while the perfume
of lovely flowers lulls the sense TO
dreamy languor. Ivan Carlyon has put
down his name for dances with his hos
tess daughters, when his friend, Jack
Stanforth, comes up.
Got any dances left, Carlyon? Come
on. I'll introduce you to the Joliiest little
girl in London; the best dancer, by
Jove, in the two hemispheres And
Carlyon finds himself standing before a
DrllIauL little inquire tIoI -NAi4i'-N9 -4'4A1
more of a bird of paradise than anything
else.
Mr.. Ivan Carlyon-AIiss Marriott"
MAY I have a dancer"
IF you care to-yes,
'fOf course, you remember, I can give
you no explanation.
Don't think Of it," Ivan breaks in.
"You took me for some old friend
same
More than that" she says hurried
~ IT mistook you for some one know,
but my words were quotation-an old
joke
Ivan sees she is really distressed. He
hands back her card. saying with grave
courtesy:
"Your remark was meant for another
gentleman. Miss MARRIOTT, and well,
I have forgotten it,
Cora flashes him a grateful glance as
she turns to other men who are besieging
her for dances, but when it comes to his
dance. Ivan searches high and low for
his partner, corridor, conservatory, sup
per room, all in vain. Miss MARRIOTT is
nowhere to be found.
IF I had known he was to be here
I'd never have come! I hate even being
in the same housew
But, Cora, dear, what has he done?
Ivan is such a favorite generally"
ITS not anything he has done, it's
what did. Before you caa understand,
Mill, YOU must hear the whole story. Last
summer, before 1 came into my money,
old Grundy and I were staying at
hvdro-"
First tell me who in the world is old
Grundy?"
MY old governess; she always plays
propriety, you know Well the doctor
there was bachelor and very amusing.
There was one girl who came to stay
there every year who couldn't understand
how 1t was he didn't become a slave to
her charms. He told me story; conceit-
ed of him, Mill, bur very amusing-when
she arrived there one day she greeted him
with I say, are you married yet?'
4" Not yet,' he responded. I'm waiting
for your
'Humphp with toss OF her head,
you'll have to wait long time"
well, I hope So he returned blandly.
and 1 must say brutality, and Beauty
as we called her, sulked and refused to
speak to him for several days."
But what has this to do with Mr..
Carlyon?" says Mill, much dignifed.
This, dear. A fortnight ago, at the
rose show. I saw a man I was positive
was DR.. Clarke; he was close by me; so
putting my hand on his sleeve, 1 remark
ed in imitation of 'Beauty's' coquetish
tones. L say, are you married YETI I'm
agine my horror when he turned and
saw it was a stranger-Mr. CarlyonY'
Cora! What did you do?'
DO Turned and fed. 1 saw the
wretch again at the ball. He was intro
duced and asked for a dance. I gave
him one. then went and hid from very
shame and modification when it came
off"
I hate to have your visit spoiled. Cora;
he won't stay long"
IF ne does, shant," and Cora re-
lapsed into silence.
The annual ball at Gergolf castle is In
full swing. Crowds of gay figures throng
the fine old mansion. Cora has danced
with all the best looking men in the
room-save one!
She must decide quickly. Voices
fall upon her ear.
And his answer was: mo, I'm waiting
for your
so, that was the story" It is Ivan
who speaks.
And now" goes on Mill, her clear
voice reaching Cora where she stands,
now she simply hates you, and 1 be-
lieve if she knew I mad explained the
riddle to you she would never speak to
me again. Come, the music IS begin
ming
Cora had been rooted to the spot. Now
movement of the curtain wakes her
10 life and with scarlet cheeks and trem-
bling limbs she turns to fly. How could
Mill betray heri Dance with him now?
Never! SIT it out2 Impossible. There
is nothing for it but instant ignominious !
flight. Down the corridor she goes and
seeks refuge in the cloak-room; here she
Is safe, though every step passing the
door makes her shiyer.
The sea is dotted with small boats and
the spa az Scarborough is alive with
spectators. The gardens are aiight with
works. whirring wheels and many
coiored showers Of sparks I'll the air.
There is a terrible scream A large
rocket has fallen short. II drops into
one OF the little boats and explodes with
q crash. An oil lady in the stern Of the
a crash. An Old lady in the stern Of the
boat starts 10 her feet. The little cookie /
shell quivers, lurches and in moment
her occupants are struggling in the chilly
waters.
The boatman has Erasped the old lady
irmly by the arm. and has her safe IN
low. but the other-Cora-is gasping in Z
he dark. silent water. while ths sparks (
- the rocket have caught and set fire 70 /
ler fiimsy summer gown
Through IRE and water she thinks (
with 9 little shiver. rs this what &
neans2" Then a strong arm IS thrown
around her. she IS fer the moment sub /.
merged to quench the flames. then she .
rises to the surface ard remembers no +
more.
Two days pass by and Cora IS recover /
ug from her accident The rocket had i
burst close 70 hsr arm, inficdzg az ugly .
wound. but 81 spite OF the Doctors orders /
,or "euiet ard bed" she Is lying br The .
7pen window Of the drawing roam. Iook-
ag out over tSe sea. Z g many zuoztas .
row isncA that bali ~ Gergolf castle, and +
hough she and Mill nave nat ofteu
iiucs then The subject y her fiEht hzs