The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-19
UNCLE WILLIAMS elEr.

GDLL 10 WIZ
And Uncle Williams CHEEKY voice sound
ed pleasant as a june morning, as he
glanced at the fair young girl sitting in
the glare OF the chandelier.
For a moment the bright. piquant face
turned saucily toward the speaker, then
a vivid flush suhused cheek and brow.
''Oh, uncle, help me choose.' she ex-
claimed 1t would be a sad mistake
u ind when bound for life that one IN
worthy had been chosen"
Never fear, 8Iilliei Both VIII be thor
oughly tested and # either IS found want
ing their lives viii never be crowned with
the blessing OF your love"
Time VIII decide-but let the matter
rest at present. Go dress for the opera,
child, and Wen see what there is IN the
way OF amusement this evening"
And in the crowded han Of pleasure no
fair belle or languid beauty locked as
sweet and lovely as did Mildred Airing
ton. seated in the private box OF her un-
Gle, William Leigh, the rich merchant
The young men IN particular. vending
their way TO her side, thought her the
fairest Of the fair.
Andrew Vane. stately and cynical, but
bearing unmistakable evidence in his
slightly Grecian features Of proud lineage.
Ernest Lee. with his face and blue eyes.
almost effeminate Of Eneament but pos
sessing the true element Of success, firm
ness of VIII and strength OF soul
These two were the suitOrs for Nil
dreds hand; and it seemed with their fine
personal appearance. frreproachable char
acter and outwardly devoted love, diff
fcult to make choice between them.
But there was this difference. Vane
was a bold handsome wOOer, not fearing
10 assert his rights on all occasions, look
ing with covetOus eyes toward the hand
some estate which might possibly accrue
n i'm, Oh he erfr0ppd in WINNING I'm
Gle Williams heiress. For il was pub
licly known that Mildred was sole heiTess
10 the Leigh estate-hence his very atten-
tive devotion to one who represented
100. 900 pounds
Ernest Lee possessed little OF this
worlds goods and felt diffident in pro-
claiming his love 10 one so much higher
himself. How he mathematical the
wealth Vane coveted He even went so
far as 10 wish that by some chance fate
Mildred might be reduced to poverty
How quickly would he shield his darlingl
There was great crisis in 1857. For
tunes that were thought TO have been
founded on rock, proved beyond a doubt
their solid foundation TO be a myth, and
scores Of unsuspecting people awakened
out of their false security to find them
selves portionless. Wealth had taken to
itself wings and flown away. no one knew
Whither.
Uncle William and his attorney Mr..
Langdon, were closed together for hours
and came forth from the conference with
an odd look of mystery on each counte-
nance.
''NIiily, my dear" said her uncle, I'VE
are passing through a financial crisis, but
I will not annoy 70 uwith business. 1
came to announce my intention OF chang
ing our residence to the old homestead at
Maple Grove. Select your wardrobe for
a lengthy period and choose one Of the
servants to accompany US"
Mildred turned TO obey filed with vague
wonder. Were the Injuries she had learn
ed to love to be swept from her path?
William Leigh has failedr so the city
gossip said.
But aside from the fasts that the west
end residence was closed and in the care
of the attorney, and th9t Its occupants
had remov ed to the county, nothing was
known. Three moons hal waned since
the crisis alluded to- ara Mildred had
found in that short space that the score
of friends who lowered arDpnd her in the
gay circles of Lond1l life were as tie
summer sfalloTvs, twittering near in pros
perity, but few remaining In adversely
Summer, with her we athof roses, had
flown and October, with is haZy skies,
and mellow tints of gold and red. was
tinging the forest trees with their riches
robes Of autumnal glory. Under their
branches Mildred sat, with the bright
hued leaves falling around her.
Her heart was sad-not with the loss Of
fortune-for Of all the luxuries that had
dropped out of her life, none were missed
so much as Ernest Lees love. For, IN
the days that passed, he had learned to
look upon him with more than friendly
feeling.
Andrew vane had passed her by in
scornful haughtiness when il was rumor-
ed that Uncle William had failed, and
very. soon proffered his love and attention
TO another reigning heiress-
But she could not believe that Ernest
Lee had wooed her with such q sordid
motive.
'.AIildred!'
She glanced up and met the gaze OF her
lovers eyes peering wistfully into her
own.
Am I welcome?" he asked. seating
himself down by her SIDE.
Certainly" she replied. "Our friends
are not so numerous that We need rsIuse
q welcome TO any
Mildred. I love you with the truest
love, but I have not wealth TO offer. VIII
you accept the homage OF a faithful heart
and be my wife2'
No words came in reply, but q fair
hand was placed conidingly IN that OF
the speakers.
s.Thank YOU. darlingr' he exclaimed,
clasping her to his heart Il VIII shield
you with Jealous care.
Christmas brougt it's merry cheer TO
many a waiting heart; but TO none came
purer joy than to the fair bride given
away in the little cottage at Maple ave
me.
When the congratulations were over.
the hrfda a
saying This is your marriage portion
MY dear"
CHANGING over its contents she saw it
was n deed Of Gift Of the handsome town
residence to Ernest and Mildred Lee.
ssyvhv uncle. I thought you had failed2'
'Onlv stratgem, Mile, 20 detect the
true from the falsei Mr. Vance was
seeking my wealth. but failed to get
possession bIr. Lee thought re was TAX
ing portionless bride, but she is heiress
TO a fortune"
So the secret was out, for Uncle VII
liam and Mr.. Langdon had planned IT,
excepting the result which followed
The Young couple moved 70 tnelr Lon
don home and Mildred found herself
again In fashionable society; but the gilt
ter and pomp were as nothing 70 ner, Tor
ia home and home duties consisted her
lifes happiness.
Uncle William still remains az Maple
I Grove. among the scenes Of MS ooyhoQd
regretting not the strategy he sasea ~
selecting a counarfoa for his niece
History Ct Etiquette.
Etiquette is g form Of fashion more I'M
uortant than style IN dress. for the reason
that tn cvaryinE codes 81 manners have
Influenced moraIa-s1ruetalns cilans-ng
;he cut q a coat cannot BE saia - nave
done. When etiquette deIilalislsal ii'-t q