The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-14

4A-AE - oil 4AtdA SPIT - ISL ANY
| cried Alec Douglas, springing from his
wheel and nopping the perspiration from
| his forehead There is a natural throne
among the rocks. cushioned with the
| greenest and velyetiest Of moss. all ready
1 for your ladyship- and al your very
feet the coolest OF gray stones for your
heated but humble courtier- Allow ne,
he continued with mock gallantry. TO
assist the Queen of Hearts TO her right
ful place"
Amy Murray felt decidedly r1nled.
! There was something IN Alec's tone SO
different from the old-time ring OF good
/ fellowship that 1t annoyed her. and yet
| he looked provJkingly handsome as he
/ stood there among the shadows To be
sure. they had been friends for over Two
/ years, purely platonic, of course. for
| both had ambitions. he was a student az
one OF the art schools, while she was
working hard at the conservatory OF snu-
sic.
y should think. Alec" answered Amy
/ GROSSLY. as she scrambled. unassisted, TO
he rocky throne. that yon were Old
enough to avoid saying such silly things;
I thar is il you value our friendship. ]
| thought that we agreed TO be good com
rades and leave such idiotic remarks to
those who have no higher ambitions"
You are right. Amy" he replied.
gravely. I-well. perhaps 1 have been
AZ iiiDL " AftdlA VI sum- "a hsfS NA-tAAS77
1 have. As you say. am old enough
to be wiser. for in two DAYS I shall Pess
the quarter century mark.
7 did not say you were an idiot
lee" e&postulated Amy, with a sus pi-
cion OF tears in her voice: I only revo'ted
ga:nst drawing room compliments in this
grand old cathedral OF nature"
4 beg your pardon, Amy responded
Alec, soberly, perhaps I may as well
! tell you now that l am goirg away. 1t
! is rather unexpected, you see, but / have
had an opportunity 10 go abroad for
the summer. to execute some commits
sIons, provided I can sail ia a week"
And after THAR"
Probably / shall settle down IN Paris in
the Latin quarter and become a true 30
hemian. l shall miss you, Amy he said,
sadly.
And I shall miss you" answered the
girl. simply.
And wherever I go. Amy. shall think
Of you and miss your interest and sym
patty"
But what a chance for you. Alec. You
viii come back to US rich and famous,
and then I shall be so proud TO have
known you"
There was a forced gayety which an
Older man would have understood. put
which completely deceived the man of
IS. The ride home was quiet, with q
restraint which both felt. When Amy
reached her own little room it was to
fling herself upon her snowy bed in an
agony OF tears; he should never dream
what this parting cost her. In any event
she would have remembered his birthday
with some little gift; now he might value
it as a parting keepsake.
She had heard him express a desire to
possess a copy of Masters and Master
pieces Of Modern Art" he should have
the best she could buy. She arranged
10 have it expressed directly TO his rooms
on the mcmentOus day. BY mail she dis
patched a carefully written note express
ing the sincere wish that ere many
birthdays were numbered with the past
his name also might be added TO the roll
Of fame"
She waited somewhat expectantly, but
there was no response. What could II
mean? She tried TO think that he was
very busy with preparations for his de-
parture, but in her heart of hearts she
was both hurt and Inundated.
This is the last evening" she thought
sadly, as she sat down to the piano and
tried to play; but only the minor chords
responded and the music ended with a
sob.
Mr.. Douglas announced the maid.
Il have called. Miss Murray" he be-
gan, colby, Ito say goodbye. and to
thank you for all the pleasant times ]
have had in your company"
ooh, are you going SO soon?" asked
Amy, carelessly.
Yes, I thought you understood that
I sail tomorrow" His face was white
and set. II also wish to thank you for
your birthday gift, and after looking it
through carefully I have decided TO re-
turn it that il might be ready for the
next conceited man.. "
Amy tore the wrappings from the vol
ume; her own note iuttered to the floor
as she caught sight Of the title. THE
Proposal of a Connected Man" 1t was ar
illustrated book of humorous character in
which, strangely enough, the 'conceited
man" was an artist.
There has been a mistake. Mr.. Doug
las" said Amy, quietly 4 purchased
Masters and Masterpieces OF Modern
Art 1 beg you to pardon the stupidity of
Blank & Co.'S shipping clerk. I will bid
you good evening"
She turned to leave the room with eyes
like stars -and cheeks aglow.
Amy, can you ever forgive my in
justice? I should have known 1t was an
error somewhere
You might have trusted my friend
ship more than that" she returned,
proudly.
And II thought you took that way 10
silence the expression of my love for you.
Amy, 1 must speak Do you not know
that love you more than life itself? The
GROWING gift of all would be your own
sweet self May come back IN the fall
and claim you, darling2'
And happy Amy looked up through tear
dimmed eyes and whispered:
yes. Boston Post.