The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-07-12
JoNoUILs.

I
II cert'nly am very busy na-a-n' y
The sound Of Jimmy's discordent voice
awoke Miss Rand from her reverie
James, she called.
es'u,' he responded, and the hoy's
! tousled head appeared in the doorway
The Office cat sided away as he ap-
| preached The cat and James We're not
| friends. James had often manifested e
| desire TO be familiar but the cat objected
on general principles.
rs Mr.. Churchill coming back again
| this afternoon" asked Miss Rand
''NO-m-that is, he said he wasn't" an
swered the boy.
Then. I think I will wait here for my
sister" returned the girl. She is TO
call for me. If you VIII lend me your
key tonight you may GO
/ Surely" said James with alacrity,
| and, producing the key. he donned his
overcoat and forthwith departed.
As the door clicked behind him Miss
| Rand arose. and opening the door Of the
| private office, surveyed the sacred pre-
| cincts with a hesitating satisfaction
The deep red of the heavy carpet, the
| dark furniture, the rieh-toned oil paint
| ing, with its massive gilt frame. hang
1 ing over the carved oak mantel, had al
ways appealed to her in the few hours
she had been privileged to spend there.
and tonight an insane desire entered into
her to make the most Of this luxuriant
little room, tucked away in the corner
of the great leather warehouse.
Half guilty. she touched a match 10
the gas log. The blue frame crept over
its green surface until a gentle glow sur
fused the room. The cat, attracted by
the warmth, stretched herself lazily in
front Of the fire and watched through
half closed eyes the slender figure as it
fitted about the room arranging the fur
niture, adding a touch here and there
and finally at last transferring from her
own desk to the tall mantel slender
vase filled with bright yellow ionquils.
Then drawing a deep red leather chair
before the glowing fire the erstwhile type
writer sank into its comfortable depths
and lazily rested two dainty tan shoes
on the bright fender.
1T looks quite respectable" she al
lowed Better even than I expected"
As she gazed into the fire some wicked
little god must have rested his weight
on her eyeIids. Little by little they drew
closer together. The days labor, the COM
Portable chair and the quiet were doing
their work silently and well.
The slamming Of a door startled her.
Then a voice, 20, I am sure-I beg your
pardon. did not know" and Miss
Rand sprang to her feet with flaming
checks to see the Junior partner gazing
20. mercyI' she gasped. Il was wait
ing for my sister. What time is it?
What can you think Of me?"
ITS s o'clock, and I think it is time
you were home" said the young man,
grimly.
In truth, he was tempted to laugh, but
he restrained himself enough to step to
the telephone closet for a moment and
emerged In time to help the young lady
into her jacket.
Il have called a carriage for you" he
remarked gravely. cit will be here in
moment"
The girls cheeks famed again es she
said in a choking voice: What can 1
say Mr.. Churchill?'
It am sure no apology is necessary
from Miss Rand he responded, and as
the carriage drove up he handed her in
as though she We're duchess.
The next morning was a trying one for
the typeW ritter. She arrived early, and
as the junior partner entered he bowed
as usual, but made no remark. to her
great relief.
She had always secretly admired the
quiet, self-contained Junior as he was
disrespectfully called. But now she felt
an undefnable fear of the hours she spent
by his side, lest somehow something
should bring to mind that terrible night.
20, if that awful door had not been
self-locking," she cried time and time
again to herself. How was I to know
Kitty could not get in? Why didn't she
shout or break window or something?'
Her sister had laughed cruelty when she
had told the story at home, and sun
dry side remarks from her brother had
not made the situation any pleasanter.
However. all the repinings in the world
would not undo it, and as time passed by
she began to hope than Mr.. Churchill had
forgotten it.
There was q new typewriter IN the Of
fee. A pert young miss. who did not
disdain to fiirt with the bookkeeper and
who bought doubtful looking bananas
from the man with the basket
Miss Rand had been assigned as Mr..
Churchills private secretary, to her no
little terror and surprise.
The "sanctum" was no longer a place
of interest to her. A bunch Of flowers,
now violets now pansies, but never jon
quils, generally adorned the mantel.
Miss Rand noted the omission and
cherished a secret gratitude for the Jun
Tors silent chivalry.
ITS nice Of him, anyway she ad-
mitted to herself one afternoon az the
sun cast a stray beam into the sane
tum.''
Miss Rand called the quiet voice Of
the junior, bring the 1890 records and
take some notes, please
The girl fetched the dusty volume and
laid it by his desk As she did so, the
book opened and something fell to the
floor. she stopped 70 pick It up. II was
a yellow jonquil. dried and withered to
be sure; but stin a jonquil. She felt |
herself flush as his eyes followed hers. |
As he reached his hand to take It she |
saw that it was trembling. Then some /
thing wonderful happened. Without /
knowing Just how she found herself I'm I
the junior arms The usually quiet man /
was talking very fast. indeed. and she |
she was crying, with her face buried in /
his shoulder.
After IL was all over: Il was so /
she confessed Dear little I
girl" he said. do you know what IS 4
most precious TO me in the world?" She /
made no answer. so he went on.
1t IS the picture OF a girl before the /
fire sleeping she flushed faintly-''vith +
the freight on her face and the cat by /
her side, ana the-the-"
"J0nquiis." she whispered, happily.
Yes, the jonquils' he said. and be 4
leaned over TO kiss her.-BostOn Post.
Jin's Alleged Bravery.
Il a1pevg fho1suff 80 the sad -fa~nH