The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-06
Found Her for Keeps,

tall girl IN q tabernacle gown Walk
ed across the common one New Years
eve. 1t was growing dusky and lights
we're beginning to fash from the busy
street, the rumble Of which came family
| to her ears. The great, gaunt branches
| Of the old trees lifted themselves heavily
toward the gray sky, then fell back
again, murmuring restlessiy.
How quiet it is here, the girl thought
| Almost like the country. and II IS just
a wear ago tonight since walked here
with
Her head was lifted trife higher at
this juncture of her thoughts, but taose
riotous thoughts which would get the
better of her sometimes went on: II
wonder where he is this New Years eve
I am herein the same place, just ike
| woman. l would rather die than have
him know ii, but I wanted to walk here
once before I buried the old dream for
ever. There,'' gathering up her skirts
energetically, chow silly TO waste my
| thoughts over man who has not one
| for me-"
A year ago Jack Morris had come
from the South 10 attend college, and
meeting her at her aunts house, where
he happened TO visit with college chuH1,
had presumed to fall in love with her.
| Many were the quiet walks and talks
| they had and the girl learned to love
| the handsome southern youth very dear
| ". After their desperate Irritation had
| been carried on month he had suddenly
| gone away without a word of explanation
or farewell, and the girl, with unusual
common sense, but with a great deal of
bitterness, thought: He fell in love so
easily that he has fallen out again with
out hurting himself He wih never
know how he has hurt me. You see,
| as if to convince herself and excuse him,
II was not used to the ways Of
men"
She had reached the edge of the COM
mon, where the lights glared and the
neksboys shouted out the evenings news
| In bold accents.
st do not like the crowd" she thought,
and, turning, walked back the way she
had come.
A tall, athletic young fellow passed
| just as she turned away. He paused and
| peered after the graceful figure quickly
disappearing in the dusk then with
slight exclamation followed her.
Molly" he called but it was very
deserted here, and if she heard him she
| did not heed.
80, Molly" She slackened her pace
and looked inquiringly around.
Aren't you going to speak. Molly"
he asked, when she stood silent in the
pathway.
"Give me time, please" she said, quiz
city; this is rather a surprise you
know. How are your" holding out her
hand.
81 am very wen, think you," he said in
changed, quiet Tone and walked on 81
lently beside her.
She stroye once or twice to break the
silence. but could find nothing to say.
Then her native pride and frankness
80
off rather suddenly"
He looked a trife surprised, but an
swered coldly: Yes, circumstances made
it necessary"
All indeed; yet you might have taken
the trouble to say good-by."
II explained that in my letter. The
letter which your aunt answered for you.
1 say, Molly"-breaking In upon her half
uttered exclamation-''you might have
been kind to a fellow when he was down.
I thought"
Jack, listen! don't know what you
are talking about. My aunt answered a
letter for me-When?"
why, last January, after L got the
news that fathers business had gone to
smash. You see, he telegraphed and 1
had to go right off. l wrote card on
my way to the train, saying that 1 was
going and would write. 1 did and your
aunt replied. But it is unnecessary to
80 over all this. You
She stopped short under the swaying
branches and faced him. "Jack, If she
replied I knew nothing about tt
"You didn't, Molly. Then, you didn't
throw me- over because you thought l
was a pauper? But, by Jovel bet you
Mrs Handel did. She is a mercenary
old-excuse me, she is your aunt
The girl was half crying, in her dis
tress and perplexity. But 1 don't under
stand at all, Jack. Why should she inter-
fere?'
For reasons of her own which we
will not bother about now. So you
thought I was the faithless one, did
your"
YES" She would not compromise her
self 'And 7 thought you were, and
it hurt me, Molly"
Did it?' very quietly.
Don't you care, Molly?"
For what?'
For me-.
A slight smile broke over her face.
Jack, you don't speak much like a pau
per-
Nor am l. I waited until things look
ed brighter. Helped father all 1 could,
then thought I'd come up and see If I
could find Molly again. Have found her
for keeps, Molly?"
Eyes, Jack, if you want her"-Boston
Post.