The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-24
A Conquenng Hero,

1t was one of the last Of the church
parades. Spring was almost at an end,
and the shine of newness in .boHnets was
waning. Albert Sterrin was escorting
Miss Cunfford from services 70 her Mad
ison avenue home. as he had done so
faithfully for so many Sundays.
They had been silent for some blocks,
| when Helen suddenly exclaimed under
her breath, "Oh, Albert, here comes Hugh
Ladd,"
Did that "Oh" indicate a autter at the
approach of Ladd, who was stroke of the
Halyord crew and the hero OF all the
girls who knew him and Of many who
did not?
Ladd the magnificent passed and bowed
fascinatingly. The vision Of strength en-
dured but an instan. Sterrin side-glanced
at Helen. He was puzzled to find her
apparently serene.
| tfcally. 7 hope his crew wins next
Wednesday. Father is going TO take me
to see the race"
The audience was streaming out of the
| theater. Helen and Albert were among
the first. The comedy had been dull.
She seemed in haste to get away
Its SO close, Helen" Sterrin ven-
tured. Don't you think you'd like to
stop at Calyard's for some ices?"
Just the thought" she murmured,
laughingly.
At Calyard's all the tables but two were
occupied. At one of these they sat
There's Hugh Ladd,' she whispered,
almost at once, having ices all by him
self in the corner. Think of it, He won
| the race yesterday. Did you ever see
such a Champion"
Mr.. Ladd is going to dine with US
Sunday" she said, finally.
Sterrin felt that the ak had fallen. He
was not disDleased when he saw her
| nearly ready to leave. He felt for his
wallet and then remembered that he had
put It in his outer coat. He stood and
reached the pocket. 1t was gone--lost or
picked, For an instant he thought to
admit the mishap. This, it seemed. was
the final maladroit shok to his hopes.
Then desperate, he found inspiration.
Taking his handkerchief, as though it
had been the object of his fumbing
search. he suggested to Helen: LET me
ask LaGd over here for a moment. He
looks quite alone!'
IF you wish So" she assented, with so
little concern that ne wondered.
"Ladd," Sterrin whispered, hoarsely, as
he gave the champion his hand in his
most easy manner, I'm in a deuce OF
a fix. I've lost my wallet. 1 said to Miss
Cumford 1 meant to ask you to our table,
AS an enormous favor will you insist on
our coming here? I'll see you later at
your hotel and"
1t was 1 o'clock when Sterrin was
shown into Ladd's room at the Boiling
broke. He was all in a fiuster, and laid
a bill on the table, mumbling: You
have done me a wonderful service,
Ladd.''
Nothing. dear fellow" grunted the
champion. Accidents will happen"
you'll be very happy, Ladd," Sterrin
went on, confusedly.
Lets drink to her, like men," said
Ladd. solemnly.
Sterrin never knew how he got the
drink down, but he did.
She's a sweet, indefinite little girl
said the champion, staring into his empty
glass. Have smoke, Sterrin. l dare
not. She refused my proposal yesterday
after the race. The dinner Sunday is a
dinner d'adieu'"
When the cards for the Sterrin-Cum-
ford wedding were sent out a month
later people said 1t was time. Nobody
knew what Ladd said. He was coursing
through France on wheel.