The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-15
On the Step.

ones principles
| One day Miss Campbell read in the af
teFnoon paper that the extreme heat had
| driven fashionable London TO IT'S door
steps-that even within the sacred pre-
cincts of Mayfair doorstep parties
| gernons and Mauds smoked their cigar
cites and drank their cooling beverages
out doors, regardless of the passing
crowd. That evening, driven 10 il by
longing for fresh air, Miss Campbell de-
cided to be English. II was a good time
for her venture, for she was the only
one at home. Most OF the boarders had
gone to the park; the rest were bicy-
cling. She had the doorstep to herself.
Really, it was not so dreadful, after all.
The kindly dusk hid all but the light
waists or gowns of the women on the
steps opposite, while the men were dit
! tinguishable only by the sparks at the
ends Of their cigars. With a little thrill
of f-congratulation Margaret Camp
bell realized that no one would know
that she had departed from her princt
pies.
Il suppose I am old-fashioned." she
thought, John used 10 say so when
was only 20, and ten years of lonely life
have hardly improved me-"
The warm breeze famed her cheek.
She settled herself comfortably back on
the cushions that she had brought from
her room and lazily watched the phan-
| tom-like passersby. troops of laughing
girls and boys hurried along the side
walk, followed by lover-like couples,
creeping as though to retard happy mo-
ments spent together. Bicycles sped 81
lentIy past in the street, their lamps
flashing like gigantic firefys; carriages
rolled by, heralded by the muffled hoof
beats of their horses and, from time
to time, automobiles whizzed by, wierd Y.
A solitary man came slowly up the
street. He stopped at the foot Of the
steps and then sat down not far from
Margaret.
do you mind my smoking?" he ask
ed, barely turning around.
Miss Campbell started; the voice seem
ed curiously familiar. ''Not at ALL" she
replied little stifly, 'ft will keep away
the mosquitoes" Then she felt herself
blushing at the fooishness of the re-
mark, for there were nc fosquitOes TO
be kept away. Ten years ago, one hap
py. forgotten summer. she
had been often asked that question, and
had made the same rejoinder, much more
appropriately.
The man did not look at her while he
lighted his cigar, and she, absorbed In
his features which followed the kindling
of the match. There was a long silence,
broken at last by the newcomer. "Rath-
er cooler said he, as though continuing
a conversation.
Eyes" answered Margaret. still more
puzzled by the voice. This was not one
of Mrs Lees boarders. She must hear
him speak again. 1t was not right that
a stranger should make her tremble so.
"Were you ever at Long Branch?" she
asked abruptly.
could feel that he tried to penetrate the
darkness and see who 1t was that was
speaking. Margaret was not the only
one who had been agitated by a voice.
Her heart beat almost audibly.
Margaret, is it your he cried.
Eyes, john she answered, with
strang seIf-possession. She noted this
herself and marveled that she should DO
so at such a moment. How could she
think about how she was speaking when
she had not seen him for ten years.
How came you here?"
81 came up the wrong steps" John
answered. slowly. ST am glad, since they
have brought me to you
1t ought to have been bewildering-tfis
unlooked-for appearance Of the man who
had gone out of her life so long ago,
never to return. Yet Margaret took it
as a matter of course.
''If you are glad, why didn't YOU come
before? I have wanted Won 500
II didn't know where you WERE" fall
tered John.
"Then the other was mistaken"
'All mistake, dear, and I have come
back to you"
He had risen. but now he sat down
by her side and reached tIt to take her
hand Margaret let him have it. gladly,
and they sat together and talked, as
they used to talk. II was as though they
had never been parted. Margaret did not
ask for explanations, and John did not
stood each other.
There was a merry burst Of laughter,
a confused sound Of voices; half dozen
people around her were talking ali al
once.
why, here's Miss Campbell" cried
Lively girl, overfiowing with good Splits.
Miss Campbell, who never sits on door
steps"
Gone back on your principles. Miss
Campbell?' asked risky youth who
was an incorrigible tease. I an
amazed"
Margaret stood up. dazed. The young
people had appeared suddenly. Eyes. the
heat drove ne out. and 1 am glad tina.
it did, Mr.. Young, for an old friend
found me quite by accident. Allow me
to introduce him. john she looked
around, but John was not thsre.
You were all alone, Miss Campbell"
volunteered Mr.. Young. Fast asleep
and dreaming, I declare
Miss Campbell pulled herself together
noblv. so 7 was" said she Good
night. everybody" and she turned arounI
and went into the house The othe-s
followed, with the exception OF the two
youngest and happiest
Poor Mis- Campbell" Whispered the
girl with keen intuition, I think she
was dreaming Of her lover"
Nonsense, Jennie; that's all your fan
cy. Miss Campbell is as prossic ss o.
are imaginative"
She is pretty said Jennie; 'she must
have had lovers. And she isn't oid-wlo
shouldn't she have enc powo'
20. yes answered Tom Young. she
Is pretty and nice enough Bur, Jcn-
ME don't lets talk about other Peop'e
Did you mean what you sad IN the
park?"
Yes" whispered Jennie.
Miss Campbell looked down upon the
steDs from her dark window. SIZE ssnt-
d 10 gaze On The spot where John bad
been She sax Jennie and Tom &C 'n-
loves Young Dream"
God grs-t them a happier awakening Z
than mine s1e u1urnursd. as she crept
. bed.-The Chicago Tribune.
Reward for the DHke
from ire Boston Hsrald1
Il being tae young Duke e Ves,ru.H- /