The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-09
A Double Win.


When came down from Oxford, many
years after,i ii was deemed necessary that
1 should engage in some useful, employ
ment.
We had an estate in Blankshire, and
were in our little way country magnat 8.
Ny mother. who is a woman of surpr.s-
ing energy. Immediately commenced
asking many curious people to her many
dinner parties In a short time 1 was
the accepted conservative candidate, with
l was informed, fair prospect of ousting
the radical member at the next general
election.
Little Robbie burden came 10 my CLUB
and began to talk excitedly 10 me about
a sumner
You've no ideah," he said.
It's not kind of you to say So
I'm talking about the girl. She's just
come out, and, by 5ove, isn't she
oner."
What gill" I asked.
Her names Alice Mansel. Ny aunt.
Lady lexington, is running her. The
daughter of Mansell, the railway Johnny
They say she's a hundred millions"
Il know as fact I replied, that the
figure you mention is considerably below
the mark
His jaw dropped Really" he said
Or are you at your COMPOUNDED sarcasm
again?''
Introduce me-" I said. land you shall
be best man."
Look here-let me tell you" he be-
gan.
You shall have as much wedding cake
as you like" I interrupted, soothingly
II tell you you're an ass
you presume on your aunt said Sc
verely. But you needn't Introduce me
7 ba6 he ant I'm rxy
her. She was my playmate. I used to
hit her. In fact, 1 think l adopted her.
I forget whether as a sister or a daugh
ter-one of the two. She is very fond
of me-
II always did think you conceited,
but I'm dashed if ever"
Twill she be at the Martens this after
noon?' l inquired.
He replied reluctantly in the affirma-
tive.
I went to the Martens that afternoon
AS I was entering the drawingroom I
encountered Bobby at the door. He
grinned vindictively.
She's in there he said, Jerking his
thumb over his shoulder.
I crossed the room to speak to Lady
Martens. The room was crowded. AS
I was speaking to her Lady. lexington
arose from her seat and came to her
she was followed by a girl whom I rec
ognized Though how she had changed
and how beautiful she had grown as
Alice.
While Lady lexington was saying her
adieus l turned to Alice. / saw she
recognized me.
Alice, my deari' 1 said. 1 felt rather
than saw Lady lexington wheel round.
What an immense girl you have grown
to be'' I went on. You've grown too
big to kissi'
She looked surprised, but I bent for
ward and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
Alice we must co. said Lady Ocking-
ton.
"Good-by," I said still held her hand.
81 will call some day and take you to the
wax works"
She smiled as she left me and followed
Lady Lexington from the rooom I was
glad she smiled I should not have acted
as I did.
During this incident the stiffness of the
room was terrible. Conversation began
again. I turned to Lady Martens and be-
gan to speak of Piner's coming play.
But she was laughing convulsiyely.
You wicked, dreadful young man."
she said.
1 protested that Miss Mansen and I
her conviction that we had never before
met; that 1 had kissed a girl that was
an entire stranger. This was the general
impression.
The next day 1 called at Lady Ocking-
toms house. 1 did not expect to be ad-
mitted, but felt it would be only kind
to call. ~
The door was opened by an unintelli-
gent page boy. Lady lexington was out.
Miss Mansell was in. JOY!
Alice was alone in the room. She came
to me with the prettiest air of confusion
took her hand.
''AHce-Miss Mansell," I said, for the
last twenty-four hours my friends have
been telling me that 1 have made mis-
take. Did l make a mistaken"
''Mr. Merivale," she said, "for the last
twenty-four hours Lady lexington has
been telling me that you didn't make a
mistake. Did you make mistaken
''AEce-Miss Mansell, 1 cannot tell a
lie unnecessarily; 1t was not a mistake
it was intentional"
She shook her head
Il don't think it quite nice of you,"
she said.
I responded eagerly. "You are quite
right; it was horrid. But 1 have an ex-
plantation"
Explain she said majestically At the
moment we heard a ring.
1T Is Lady Ockington!" exclaimed
Alice
Shall 1 i1ide?" I asked
1--WE are going to Pinkerton's tonight"
she said, looking out of the window as
Lady lexington entered.
The polling day came. Alice and my
mother, the agent and drove from poll
ing booth to polling booth Toward s
o'clock the agent came to NE dolefully
and said he feared my return improbable.
I was very sorry for the poor man He
had worked so hard. When I told my
mother she burst in tears. She must
also have been sorry for him. Alice com
forted her like the dear, kind girl she
is
1t was his own fault said my mother
when she was coulforted. He is so Flip
pant"
She became sorrowful. Again Alice had
to comfort her. To do this she had 10
say kind words about me-, but my mother
would not agree with her.
Ny mother went on. He will not Be
serious. If he would only marry some
solid. strons-minded girl But no, he
insists on going on his own way. Yet
I'm his mother"
Alice turned her reproachful eyes: on ne.
81 think it unkind not to marry when
your mother tells you TO-"
But the ladies Will not have me"
4 don't believe you ever ask them"
ITO DO so would % prep ST rous"
why would lt be pFeposterous?'
Take your case for instance"
MY case" she blushed Violently
NJ mother was startled Gerald. Z
forbid you 70 talk any more noase use.
she said. rising hastily and leaving tie
room.
We were left alone. There was a ST.
lence. broken by Alice
Did your mother really and truly ask
you 10 propose - me7"
Really and truly"
She Redeemed chsrmingly.
Why didn't your