The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-02
The Tale of a Tinker.

TO meeting the charming kinswonan of
whose beauty anu conquests she had
heard so much. And. indeed, there was
no sense of disappointment whsn she
came face 10 face with her stately
guest just without the tail iron gates OF
the depot.
| Cousin Lenorei Is it really you?
And You are even lcyelier than l sop7
posed. No picture of you , have seen
does you justice!'
Lenore laughed a lazy, musical laugh
and bent her superb head 10 kiss the
little goiden-haired sprite in the pale
blue organdy gown.
You mendacious little mortali she
said. How am I to pay you for such
delicious fattery?'
| They made a striking contrast as they
went together Up the wide back steps
to the carriage awaiting them. Lenore
vane,- tall, beautifully proportioned, I'M
| dulantIy graceful as young willow,
! with something oriental about her DO dly-
| chfseled, olive-hued face, and langourous
dark eyes. Rita Garden, slender, sylph-
like, with eyes as blue as wild violetS,
a cheek like a sun-ripened peach, aid
bright braided hair wound in sedate cir
cles around her small head.
I'm not surprised in you, Rita!' The
/ carriage was wheeling around Canal
/
as Tom told me. Poor Tom! He came
nome heart-broken because mis- northern
cousin would have none of him.
HE was a dear fellow" declared Rita,
coIoring shyly.
He said there was some one else.
Who is the seine one csc. dear?"
Rita laughed, bringing bewildering
dimples into play. 'Nonsense-Pm not
engaged!'
..Then hirtation-a wild one-with
your admirer Will cause no objection"
''Dear-no! But YOU won't want an
admirer of mine-you have more lovers
than you can COUNT
But 1 haven't met the right one!"
avowed Miss Vane. Tom said your Mr..
Horton was quite an Notwithstanding
of a. Hercules, too, l understand"
You'll meet him tonight" Rita's
eyes were sparkling with tender pleasure
at the words of praise. He is anxious
to meet YOU
Then, I'm to have carte blanche?"
lightly queried Lenore.
| "A fair field and no favor, Lenore"
! "You and Rex are famous friends al
ready" said Rita.
{ 1t was the night of IGNORES arrival,
and the two girls talked in the bed
room.
Already Lenore paused, the silver
backed brush suspended over the torrent
| of raven hair. Dear child, IL does not
! take as long to break in a man as it
does to train a horseY
! Rita, slowly braiding her silken, corn
gold tresses, spoke without looking up.
you've done both Lenore?"
Indeed, yesl What a baby it is, this
little cousin of mine. There is not so
much difference in the process as one
TDz2h
/ or either. Now, your Mr.. Horton
| Rita tossed the PROFESSIONALLY long
braid back over her shoulder. 'He isn't
my Mr.. Horton. l told you that, Cousin
! Lenore."
! Cousin Lenore laughed, and stifed a
yawn. True! I'd have scruples other
wise. Tom was right. He is quite ex-
/ asperatingly good-looking. Has he
money!"
| Money! echoed Rita. She whirled
round from the mirror before which she
had been combing her clustering love
! locks. Money. l would never-nes er"
she grew fairly GREATNESS in the en-
phasis of her assertion, think about
/ that!'
You funny little thing!" she murmur-
/ ed. Don't you even know his business
or profession
! The Irritation progressed famously. OF
! the many guests of the Gardens it was
Rex Horton only who pleased the fast.d-
| ious fancy of Lenore Vane. He was a
! man to win womans admiration.
/ Above the ordinary stature of his fei-
/ lows, brawny as the Viking of Long
fellow, keen of observation and eplgram-
matte OF expression, he could hold his
own in any pIace-in any company. Lit
tie Rita, watching the fast-foweTins
friendship, noting the number of dances
/ he claimed from Lenore, the Jacquemi-
nots he sent, felt a gnawing at her heart
/ that all her sweet youth had never nth
erto experienced.
Il have never learned just what is
your profession" Lenore said to him.
/ The two were sitting on the mooniit
veranda.
Il have no profession. Miss Vane.'
Her black brows arched interroga-
/ lively. Business. then?"
! He looked away down the lighted hall
behind. He could see Rita in the din
/ ing-room. She was heaping ice in little
rose-colored cups. The azure and gold
/ of her gown and hair made pretty bit
of color on the gaslight.
Il earn my living by .the making of
| tin cups and pie plates"
'SMr Horton, this is not a joke
Miss Vane, 1 did not suppose it was.
I 4
given you a truthful answer
! but do YOU dream that L viii believe
/ story $3.50 absurd
/ She was superb in her indignation.
But the thoughts Of Rex Horton stray ed
i away from her just then-away TO the
slim little girl on hospitable endeavor in
tent. She had never cared-would never
care-about his business or protest. n
Miss Vane's blue-black head bent
slightly in a stiff salute.
/ Il should be glad 10 doubt"
"You cannot" His cool gaze met her
stormy glance. 1 give my word Of
honor"
In my state"-she smothered some
htng Ike a sob-"no one. receives-a
tinker"
/ He rose-took up his hat.
y shall not again intrude during your
visit in the North he said.
/ Rita, coming out with the crystal tray
! of sherbeJ. paused in establishment.
Going? Won't you have tais, Le-
nore?" She hastily set down her bur
den. I'll walk to the car with YOU
che said.
! Before they reached the car Horton
( halted her in the shadow Of the most
gigantic maple that grows on the North
side.
Ny little love. do you know how I
make a iiving?
No" Taen she added, impuisiveIy:
And I don't care"
! You don't?" He laughed happily
/ Learn then-Tm tinker.
She pu, delicate finger tip upon the
TOP button Of his vest.
rich man. poor m&n. hegear man
no. not bigf-,inker. That's all rigs,
No one was passing. The street was
4 s.in and shadowy.
DO you really think so Riia?'
u know So"
Tben-hut ONLY the maple knows about