The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-11
At the Eleventh Hour


But he's so old, papa protested Bar
| bara Bessinger
a man should be several years the
senior of his wife, declared Quintus
Bessinger.
And he has glass eye."
zone less with which 10 observe short
comings, my dearr'
And has false teeth"
so have l. Now. Barbara, be sensi-
| Bile, and think IT over"
! Barbara thought it over, and decided
! that IL being sensible meant marrying
| Giles Ferguson she must persist in be-
ing foolish. The next time her father re-
turned 10 the charge ne put his plea on
personal grounds. His pathetic repre-
sentation Of his position was rather ef-
| fective. The improvements in his office
/ building had cost much more than he
| had fancied they would An eastern
| firm, on whose leniency he had relied,
were pressing him for immediate pay
| ment of q heavy account Ferguson had
practically refused him further advances
because Barbara had declined to marry
| him. He could find better use for his
money than loaning it to the man whom
| he was anxious to accept as a father
| in-law.
Bessinger, IF I thought you cared for
any one else. There isn't any one else
-eh, Barbara
Barbara was IS. She had a round, trim
young form, brunette face full of life
and sparkle arch hazel eyes, and a love-
ly scarlet mouth
No one else, papa!P There was no
doubling the frank sincerity OF the reply.
Give me two weeks more TO consider.
Then-In say yes, If I cantor your sake
al
Bessinger made the most of Barbara's
concession. Ferguson was profoundly
gratifed. His one movable eye expressed
his happy anticipation
Tell her, said ne, that 1 have never
married because my ideal was so lofty.
Never until I met Miss Barbara d d
meet any woman possessing every per-
fection."
Tell her yourself" advised ouintus
Girls don't like to be courted through
their parents
So Ferguson called every evening. His
deliberate compliments and languishing
glance set her wild with resentment.
Two weeks Why hadn't she said two
months? Surely the hours were racing
by. 1t seemed to her the days fairly
galloped out of sight Her father grew
more haggard-more depressed She US d
to catch him watching her furtiveIy.
Ferguson would stave off failure. would
build up his business, would put his
credit on a firm basis. If only He
had been good father to her. She
would probably never fall in love. any
way. Perhaps she ought to do as he
wished-there she shuddered.
The fateful day of her decision arrived.
A glorious day it was, crisp and go den,
with rolicking wind skurrying along
State street and playing pranks at the
corner where towers the Masonic Tenn
pie. Just there it swirled a girls skirts
around her slender ankles, and-not con-
tent with this audacity-snatched off her
veil and firted 1t out of reach But a
tan young man in gray suit gave
prompt pursuit. 20, thank you!" cried
Barbara Bessinger, blushing, when he
stood before her, hat in hand, return .ng
the truant trif1e. you are very kindr'
A murmured depreciation, a lingering,
look Of admiration a deep bow.
and he was lost in the crowd. Barbara
went nome in a strange state of exlnil-
aration. Some little ones at her gate
offered her roses. She took the roses and
kissed the children. She had never
thought flowers and child faces so beau
uful before She found herself singing
as she ran upstairs. She was startled
by the loneliness of her own reflection
in the glass. Why did she feel so happy,
Why Suddenly she seemed to see
again the homage Of those flashing blue
eyes. MOI She surely was not so silly
as that! In delicious, girlish shame she I
pressed her slim fingers over her ewes
to shut out those others. But they would /
not be barred. They gazed into hers still, /
All at once q dreadful thought thrilled /
her.
Topioh+ C.ilas I-a-,,,r,,. -.,,5 E
his answer!
A sharp sense Of repUsion overwhelmed |
her.s She could not marry him. she
would not. She bathed, coiled her dark
hair afresh. went down to dinnee sn a .
gown Of rosy lawn. At S o'clock the
hopeful sutton made his appearance He /
wore brand new suit and was appar-
entity prepared for conquest He and
Bessinger talked. AT 10 Barbara was to
give her final decision. She watched the
clock in an agony of nervousness Half
past S! The hands were moving around
he dial with appalling speed Nine!
She did not know the bell had rung-that
visitor was shown in. He was young,
all, good looking. With a start she rec
'gnized the agile captor of her veil.
The small gentleman is Mr.. Fergu-
'on," she heard the servant say.
The stranger walked straight UP to
Barbara's sutton.
How do you do, father?" he said
what's that?" screamed the old man.
lie had turned ghastly.
My name is Robin Ferguson. only
-rrived yesterday from California. Your
nan told me 1 would find You here.
dy mother died three months ago. Dy-
ng. she told me the story of your de-
ertfon OF her when l was a little lad.
'he made me promise to look you up
Tor her sake I've done IL. l can prove
II I say"
I'LL can't discuss the matter with
GU here-now!" His teeth chartered so
e feared they would drop out. Even
ent!' Ii
The newcomer burst OUT laughing.
I'll never ask you for one. Ny moth
RS brother left all his property TO me, !
nd there's a rafting lot of it, too"
"O!' gasped Ferguson senior. This g
ives matters a new aspect. But-there :
-as Barbara. The clock struck 10.
Barbara" said Bessinger, rising, you ,
greed TO tell Giles Ferguson at tbs
our whether or not you would marry :
i'm"
White as a lily, Barbara came for
ard. The young fellow stared in de- :
GIFTED surprise as, turning. ne faced .
err
-Neveri You would not wish me now
spa, TO do so. He Fas deceived M 0
I any rate, ! could never love him = o
hen she bowed Slightly and took herself '
nd her peach5ioom gown from tie
ON. Z
But soon Barbara learned how easv II s
as 20 surrender ones whole heart when y
e enc destined lover came Out OF
1nf1de1tial talks grew recouciiistfons. ( r
etween father and son. The former 81