The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-09
The Old Love,

She had finished dressing. and now
stood back before the glass From tip
to toe she was the essence Of loneliness.
Her eyes were gray, soft, delicate
gray, that seemed to penetrate to the
very soul and question its purpose. Light
| brown hair that plafully rebelied against
! the captivity of hairpins and side combs
and foated gently about the calm, quiet
face like mass of summer clouds.
Tonight was the reception, and Marga-
ret knew she would be asked TO play
For three whole years she had been
away studying; besides, it was noised
about that Miss Hazleton would render a
selection, and after the gossip she had
circulated about her own ability and Mar
garet Raymond's apparent insignificance
Margaret was certain that society could
and would judge for itself, ana 1t would
take this opportunity TO do it.
As she stood before the long mirror she
thought of Jack Whitman, and shadow
passed quickly over her face. Her Jack.
she used to call him; now she wondered
whether he would ever know her or not
Many rumors had already reached her,
although at home but short time, con-
corning Jack Whitman and Florence Ha-
zelton. Some spoke of them as maxim
a good match, and although no engage
ment had been announced. 1t was said
that they were together nearly all the
time. Margaret realized that very
small thing would make people talk, and
she wondered If this hadn't been exag-
gerated.
She descended the stairs and entered
the reception room. A hush fell on the
company for a moment, and during that
moment Margaret knew she was under
going a most rigid inspection. She saw
her rival across the room, surrounded by
a group of gentlemen. She scrutiniZed
these carefully, and saw that Jack was
not among them.
Suddenly a voice at her elbow said:
Good evening, Miss Raymond; you are
indeed a stranger"
why, Mr.. Whitman, I really thought
you were no going to be here"
What Miss a reception Ike this,
when there is 80 much talent?" he said,
smiling. Not muchi Shall we take
a. walk on the veranda?' she added, Of
fering her his arm; its cool out there. b"
1t was an ideal summer evening. The
moon, we'll up, flooded the lawn with
pale, silvery light, and f1ickered brightly
in its path of pearl out on the ocean.
Down in the harbor the lights of the yes
sells twinkled and glimmered, fitting
here and there like wtsps. The
odor of flowers, the dark foliage of the
the scene almost tropical.
They stood by the h0neysuckle at the
end of the veranda and talked of old
times. They recounted the Idshing trips
they had taken together out in the same
harbor that stretched itself before them
now. Those were days Of childhood, old
play days, when their ambitions had not
been so exacting; when, happy and free
from care, they had loved each other
with all the affection in their childish
natures Then both were silent. He Won
dered if she remembered that summer day
when they were blackberrying; lshe had
become tangled among the bull briers
and ne had cut each brier with his knife
until she was free. She had kissed him
and run off up the hill. AS he stood be-
fore her now, so long afterward, tisud-
denly occurred to him that it might have
been a blush. and not the wind, that
made her cheeks so rosy that day.
He raised his eyes, hers fell, and q
blush so intense suffused her cheeks that
he could see it even in the shadow.
Shall we go 5ack?" she said. Il am
sure some one is going to play"
Miss Hazelton was just seating herself
at the piano as they entered. She had
been asked to play and had readily con-
scented. She played Weber's 'Polacca,'
and played it well. With a movement of
certainty, a manner thoroughly self-pos-
sessed, she brought out all the brilliancy
of the piece. Her technique was excel
lent, and she played as one perfectly
familiar with her own ability.
She finished amid perfect storm of ap-
plause. Margaret turned to Jack, who
was clapping vigorously. my turn will
come next she said. See! Here comes
Mrs Van Brunt now" Sure enough, up
came the hostess. with request as COM
pulsory as it was polite, that Miss Ray
mOnd would have the kindness to render
a selection.
She followed Mrs. Van Brunt to the
piano. Society was waiting, expectant
and eager for her TO begin. So much had
been noised about concerning her ability
that society was anxious to judge for
itseuf
Suddenly she was playing. 1t could
hardly be said that she started. The
music seemed to float together. softly
and gently. each strain a perfect har-
mony, until the blending of the notes pro-
duced music so dreamy and far away
that from the trees the insects and the
flowers outside it seemed to be coming.
Her fingers glided rather than moved
over the keys, lingering over the notes
a. though uncertain, only to descend to
bring forth even sweeter harmony. Her
touch was careless and free, and yet ii
was as mastery as mans. The music
rose and fell like waves on the sea II
carried one up and down, far away,
sweeping along grandly, yet smoothly,
until lower and softer it sounded. finally
disappearing, as it seemed, into the still
night air
After the congratulations, she looked
around for Jack. and. not seeing him.
stepped out on the veranda. He stood at
the further end looking out to sea. As
she approached he turned. Margaret"
he said, II want to finish story that 1
started to tell you a long while ago. VIII
you listen?'
Yes" she said.