The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-21
Are You Married Yet?"

say. Are you married vel!
! Ivan Carlyon turns abruptly as a deli
cate pearl-colored glove is laid on hi:
leeve, and looks down into the beautiful
laughing face upturned to his gaze.
As mis- eyes meet Cora Merrieott's she
dushes a hot vivid crimson and with
draws her hand.
Smiling and still puzzled at the recent
encounter, he passes on to exchange q
greeting with Lady Lorraine and her pref
ty daughters.
How do you Go. Mr. Carlyon? Delight
ed 10 see you back again-just in time for
our bail l hope you will come"
Il shall be delighted. I only returned 70
town last night, and am going up 70 ScoI-
land next week with the Huntly's."
Are you? So are my girls
What a sad thing about the Testers, ]
suppose the property goes to a distant
cousin?"
Yes. Miss Marricott-a wild Yorkshire
girl-a most Iarky' person, 1 hear. a
girl who has never been in society or
stayed in a country house in her life;
whose chief diversion has been raking
around hydropathies with an old maid
governess. But there-money covers a
multitude of sins,''
Lady Loraine's spacious rooms are filed
with dancers; the sound Of a dreamy
waltz falls on the ear, while the per
fume of lovely flowers lulls the senses
TO dreamy languor. Ivan Carlyon has put
down his name for dances with his host
ess' daughters, when his friend Jack
Stanforth comes I'D.
Got any dances left, Carlyon? Come
on, I'll introduce you TO the jolliest little
girl in London; the best dancer, by Jove,
| in two hemispheres.' And Carlyon finds
/ himself standing before a brilliant little
Of s~d r,e
paradise than anything else.
Mr.. Ivan Carlyon-Miss MARRIOTT"
May L have dancer
The blonde head is raised, two blue eyes
meet Ivans own, then d wave of color
floods the girls face.
''Jove! Then you've met before? Ivan,
old weIlow, you're in luckr' and Jack
! Stanforth takes himself off.
For a moment the two are silent.
! then Ivan takes the white and gold card
from the girls slim hand and sees her
! fingers are trembling.
Il may have a waltZ?'
! IF you care to-yes."
! Thanks"
! "Of course, you remember can give
/ you no explanation"
Don't think Of it," Ivan breaks in.
You took me for some old friend
some
More than that" she says, hurriedly.
Il nlistook you for some one I know, but
my words were a quotation-an old joke"
Your remark was meant for another
gentleman, Miss MARRIOTT, and well. L
have forgotten it,
Cora flashes him a grateful glance as
she turns to other men who are be-
sieging her for dances. but when il comes
to his dance Ivan searches high and low
for his partner, corridor, conservatory,
supper-room, all in vain. Miss Marriott
is nowhere to be found
IF I'd known he was 10 be here I'd
never have come! 1 haze even being in
the same house!'
But, Cora, dear, what has he done?
Ivan is such a favorite generally"
It's not anything he has done, it's
what I did. Before you can understand
Mill, you must hear the whole story
Last summer, before 1 came into my
money, old Grundy and 1 were staying
at a hydro
First tell me, who in the world is old
Grundy?"
My old governess She always plays
propriety, you know. Well. the doctor
there was a bachelor and very amusing
There was one little girl who came to
stay there every year who couldn't under
stand how it was he didn't become a
slave to her charms. He told me a story;
conceited of him, Mill. but very amusing
when she arrived there one day she
greeted him with say, are you mar
ried yet?'
Not yet" he responded. I'm wait
ing for your
'Humph, with toss of her head.
You'll have to wait long timer
Well, l hope So. he returned bland
ly, and l must say brutally, and Beauty
as we Gale her, sulked and refused to
speak TO him for several days."
But what has this to do with Mr.. Car
lyon?" says Mill, much dignified.
This, dear. A fortnight ago at the
rose show I saw a man l was positive
was DR.. Clarke; he was close to me; so
putting my hand on his sleeve remark
ed in imitation of 'Beauty's' couuetish
tones, I say. are you married yet? I'm
agine my horror when he turned and I
saw it was a stranger-Mr. Carlyon"
Cora, what did you do?"
DO? Turned and fed! 1 saw the
wretch again at the bail. He was intro
duced and asked for a dance; 1 gave AIM
one then went and hid for very shame
and modification when it came off
Il hate to have your visit spoiled. Cora;
perhaps he won't stay long"
IF he does I shan't.' and Cora re-
4dpScu IitU SileHCe.
The annual ball of GIengolf Castle IS in
full swing. Crowds of gay figures throng
the fine old mansion. Cora has danced
with all the best looking men in the room
save one!
And he? Well, little pucker wrinkles /
the girls brow as she stands by the heavy (
plush curtain. He has only put down
his name for one dance and his turn has
come; shall she dance with him. or shall I
she run away, as she did sonce before?
She must decide quickly. Voices fan .
upon her ear.
And mis- answer was, NO, I am waiting
for you""
so that was the story" It was Ivan
who speaks.
And now" goes on Mill. her clear
voice reaching Cora where she stands
now she simply hates you. and 7 believe
Il she knew I had explained the riddle 10
you she would never speak 10 me again.
Come, the music is beginning"
Cora has been rooted TO the spot: Now /
a movement Of the curtain wakes her 70 :
life, and with scarlet cheeks and treDb
ling limbs she turns 20 fly. How could (
Mill betray her? Dance with him now?
Neverl
The sea Is dotted with small boats. ana
the spa at Scarborough IS alive with SPEC
tators. The gardens are alisht with fire.
works, whirrlng wheels and many-coior-
ed showers Of sparks ill the air
There is terrific scream. A large
rocket mas fallen short. Il Drops into enc
OF the little boats and exDlodes witt a
crash. An old lady "a the stern Of the
boat starts 10 her feet. The little cock g.
shell cuivers, Iurthes. and in a moment