The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-13
A Golden Locket.


It was down in the garden. IN her IA
vorite nook. and they were partingl Why
IS it thar the course of true love never
runs smooth, wonder? 1t seems as il
there had TO be testing 70 prove the tr'le
and the false.
Ounce raised her sweet face. wet with
tears, TO her yong lover, cyril Weed
ward, who stood gazing sorTowfIlly down
at her. Never mind, darling, he muir
INJURED. 81 won't be longer ran is 40
solutely necessary" Il kn5y il. Gear.
she replied, but I feel a strange fore
bodfng of evil, and something seems 70
tell me that you won't coma back
again. She shuddered, and Cyril clasp
ed her passionately TO his heart. We
win trust God. sweetheart: He VIII
watch over u.s.
And disengagfng one ann. he drew out
of an inner pocket small velvet case,
which, upon opening, revealed a golden
Iocket set with pearls. u which was al
tached a long, slender chaln. He took
it out Of the case, and winding it aleund
Eunfce's white throat, clasped it. ut
was my mothers" he whispered, land
she wished me to give It to the girl
made my wife. Wear it always, for it
will be a sign between US When you
cease to love me, send it back" She
gazed tenderly at it, and thanking him
SOIt1S, DuISL into tears.
Thus they parted, in the spring of
their betrothal, he going to italy to his
fathers dying bedside, to gladden. his
last few hours. But, strange TO say, he
was improved and able to sit UP when
Cyril reached him. At his fathers re-
quest they roamed over the old world
in search of fealthful pace where his
father might regain his strength.
Meanwhile, many letters had passed
between the lovers; tender, thoughtful
letters, but suddenly hers stopped.
What could possibly have happened?"
he asked his father. At last. too fren-
zied to remain on the continent longer
in spite of the entreaties of his father,
who had now nearly regained his former
strength, he made up his mind TO re-
turn home, promising to return when he
felt so inclined. But again there was
delay.
The steamer in which he was to sail
left before he reached Lfgerpool The
trains had made bad time, owing to the
conditions of the roads. heavy storm
having impeded their progress. He took
the next steamer, and when a few days
out, he found himself in mid-ocean cling
ing to a spar, the steamer slowly sink
ing out of sight. What would have be-
come of him is a question he does not
like to answer when he thinks of his ex-
perience; but it remains a stern fact,
that if a steamer had not hove in sight
just the moment it did our hero might
have tasted the joys of heaven before
being willing to give up the pleasures
of this sinful world.
Nevertheless he was picked up in an
exhausted condition and carried or to an
Italian port.
It was many days ere Cyril was able
TO collect his thoughts, for his exhaus-
ton was followed by a delirium fever
which well nigh finished him. But at
last he was able to sit up and to calmly
think what was best to do. He had to
wait until he reached the port, then re-
traced his steps across the continent to
liverpool again. This time he succeed
ed in reaching New York, and within
twenty-four hours was in the town or
his childhood and early manhood, the
town dearest to him because to him it
held, in his estimation, the one little wo%
man whom he. loved. 1t was with a
happy heart and light steps that he
started for the wellknown cottage, but
it was with. a downcast face and heavy
tread that he returned. She was not
there.
The cottage was empty, and the garden
showed the lack of her care. The only
result that his inquiries brought was
that they had moved away shortly af-
ter Eunice's father died One reigkbor
said she knew where the place was, for
she had written it down, but search
where she would, it didn't turn up.
Sick and weary at heart, Cyril at last
gave up the search, and, remembering an
invitation of his aunt to visit them when
he returned home, he boarded a train
bound for Boston, and before many hours
had passed found himself in his aunt's
spacious parlor, his pretty cousin greet
ing him rapturously.
Next evening, at the request of his
oldest cousin, Bessie, he accompanied
Rochester sing. They had, previous to
voice was so enchanting that they were
going to hear her again.
The name conveyed no meaning to his
mind, so he went reluctantly, but, al
though feeling thus, when once there, ne
was strangely happy.
He listened patiently through the first
part of the programme. A hush fell
over the house as all awaited the Singer
At last she appeared clad in a soft black
dress which chung gracefully TO her
slight form, and wore as her only orna-
her neck by a long chain. As Cyril saw
her his heart gave a great throb, and a
sigh OF relief and gratitude escaped him.
for the singer was Eunice His eyes
grew dim when his eager gaze took in
the dear face and the love token
The rest is soon told. As early as
possible the following morning he Sc
cured her address and hurried to her
home A few minutes later he elasped
her to his heart. all the past sorrows
forgotten in the bliss Of the present mo-
ment
We viii draw a veil over their sacred
half hour in which explanations cleared
away the mysteries which had threat
ened to part them.
A month later a quiet wedding was
held al her home, No wedding gift IS |
held nearly as sacred as the little golden /
locket which united the lovers.