The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-11
ExTgNuATINe circumstances.


lida view of the matter, and no Satur-
day within my memory had ever beer
permitted 10 join its predecessors unit
she had s0lemnly registered a deterznin-
alton 60 lead a higher and more pup
poseful life for the future.
You mustn't 90 yet. observed Phylli-
da, laying a detaining hand on my arm.
But my train VIII I protested
Never mind that-you can catch an
other"
I resigned myself TO the inevitable and
sat down again.
Il called you back because you'd for
. gotten something, she remarked.
II don't think sony overeoat is In the
han and I've got your letters for the post
an right
IT'S something more important than
letters returned Phyllida- Guess"
Parcels"
"No-nor teIegra ms, either. on know
perfectly wen what you've omitted 10 do.
n not going to give you the opportunity
Of making another silly remark. though
so / u tell you at once-ycu haven't made
any good resolutions for next week yet.
Quite so-Tm afarid II slipped my
memory. Have you noticed how the
wind is rising2"
"Yes-it win probably be fine II II
doesn't rain" broke in Phyllida. Il
don't think we need talk about the wealth
eFs though"
1T is unspeakabIe." agreed.
Then perhaps you win give me your
attention fer q few moments Do you
know what day this is2'
consulted by notebook. 1T is the 18th
Of the month"
Yes. and Il is also Saturday evening. %
returned my companion In a deny-lt-if-
you-can voice. IN a quarter of an hour
or so we shall enter on a new week. I
should like TO know, therefore, what
+ your resolutions for its proper observance
are?"
Il think, Phylhda," 7 remarked. diplo-
n1atcaly, that il would be as wen If You
would mention the more conspicuous Of
my moral lapses."
1T is time for determination" she
replied, severely .Stin perhaps it would
be better if did as YOU suggest"
You needn's look so relieved" she con
tinued. I'm only going to tell you YOUR
faults. because I don't believe I should
get the truth out Of YOU"
THAT is not the way to invite conf
dence," I replied with dignity. "a mo-
ment ago and 7 was more than ready to
reveal the inmost workings of my mind
to y0U. As it swell"
Phyllida rose from her seat and crossed
to my side. Looking at the matter i'm
partially. 1 cannot regard her subsequent
action as being strictly in accordance
with the dictates Of propriety. It was.
however distinctly acknowledgement
then, there were no spectators.
Very Well I observed, as she returned
to her own chair, ask me anything you
like"
Now, you're nice again" she answered
smilingly- You can't think how attrac-
tive it makes you. Wen, what I want
you to do is 70 describe all the girls you
have fallen in love with since last Mon
day"
al of them?v
PhylEda nodded acquiescence.
I'm afraid I shall have to go in ten
minutes" I replied.
Don't be frivolous. Have you seen
any girl whom you liked very much dur
ing the past week? Now, be candid.
Examine yourself thoroughly"
''I,have given the matter my attention, -
I returned at length. and md that I
have only erred and strayed in one single
instance"
Hal exclaimed my inquisitor. sharp
", so you admit that you have been
misbehaving. do yOu2"
Don't make me regret my confidence, -
I pleaded. II was not wholly to blame,
assure you. The incident occurred some
time ago-three days at least"
It's inexcUsable. - was the stern retort
''I declare you're not to be trusted out Of
my sight for more than an hour or two
at a time"
'I only saw her for five minutes OF 50. -
1 explained. Upon my honor, Phyllida
you have no cause for alarm on my &C
count. / assure you that nothing beyond
a hasty kiss passed between us.
What she exclaimed. ''you-you-
kissed HERO
only once" answered soothingIy.
You must consider. hadn't been intro
duced 70 her long
80. this is too muchi"
MY own, you asked for frankness." I
observed.
Yes, but not for callousness. too. oh.
how could you-how could you?7
IT was quite easy I answered, ress-
suringly.
you must be brazenf"
Not at ali, I retuned. "I am panied
that you should condemn me unheard
You do not know all the circumstances"
what ones?'
.The-er-extenuating ones"
Tell me one of them"
THE lady didn't object.
Then she was brazen. too. knew -
You were both of you equally gl;ilty."
II cannot permit you TO asperse an in
nocent lady who is not here to defend
herself" I observed ''Tns blame. If
any, was entirely mine"
All, you only say that because you're
a man.
1T is the truth" I assured. proudly.
Never snail IT besaid OF me that I stood
by and saw the character OF a woman
assailed in her absence without raising
a voice IN her defense"
Rubbish" was the inelegant retort.
She's q esigniug mink. I'm sure-and a
cat, too! I expect. though, she added in
another tone, IF only the truth were
kn0wn-she led you on
rr7r
havior might certainly be considered-er-
er-encouraging
'Therei I was sure Of II an the time
cried Phvllida. triumphantiy. Tell nae,
now. what she did do2'
sly dear" J expostulated. you really
oughLnt 70 ask me such things.
Why. was IL so bad sc all that7-
am afraid must have unconscfously
nodded an affirmative. Phyllida came
to my side.
You poor old thing" she whispered.
softly. Did she put her arms around
your neck like this when she kissed your
This tine I nodded purposely.
-Oh. the MINK
Don't condemn her unheara. Z plead
ed.
you dear. good-natured old goose
said PhylIida, gently. 'its only vour gem
crosby that makes you fnd excuses for
her
But she was very young I urged
you indeed II m-quite old enough
70 know better. I'm sure.
Indeed Fhyiida- don't thiuk THIS was
the c1se
wen how old ives she2
cob I don't know exaCtly--its not con
sidersd polite 10 ask lady her age. you
know.
Gwen. YOU seem 70 have sol en- sgch ir.-
innate terms with Der that should have
Thought you would have asked her aly-
thnc
u asa ask Der mother I admitted
~ah wen. that's something. returned
pf.-ls.7a f- = zarfFasItv more satisfied tone