The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-04-12
x.....i'o.'i'.. ..'i'.'.
:: Not a Butterfly. !;


The curtain had just descended on the
| second act of "Sonnambn!a.'
From the proscenium boxes the great
auditorium looked like a garden of nov
| ing flowers. To EIiab Brown it resem.
blcd picture of the dazzling scenery OF
the Arabian Nights
That is what you call an opera IGati-
nee, ch:' said the old man at length.
| leanins back aud taking off his glasses.
'Well. do wish your Aunt Sary was
here to see K, Not that the music suits
me It's all kind o mixed up"
katy Sumner laughed at her uncle's
ideas OF musical excellence. but she put
her little govcd hand caressiugly on the
old mans.
- group of young men stood lounsing
III the lobby, languid and effeminate look.
ing.
Haven't seen Wyndham here today
drawed one. Doesn't he usually pat.
rouize this sort of thing"
There's his sister, yonder." returned
another. Nice girl, but rather old maid
ish. BY the way, doesn't Katy Sumner
look charming this afternoon! Wonder
what old antediluvian she's got with
herI''
II never guess" said the first speaker.
ITS too much trouble. Hello! Here's
Wyndham"
Richard Wyndham, a tail, baughty
looking man, took lsisurely survey Of
the house.
Il merely came AZ an escort for my
sister. Excuse me. ] must Join her."
As Richard Wyn1hnm walked slowly
down Broadway, with his sister hanging
on his arm. he was unwontedly silent.
Dick. what is the matter with you?"
asked Miss Wyudham impatiently. I've
aske, you three times what you think Of
this new singer"
Forgive me" said the young man. II
confess to Gt,le observation-disclosures TO-
day. How should yon like to visit Swift
zerlaai this Spring.
''If you are determined, certainly. But
had hoped you would have seen SOME
face with enough magnetism to chain
you to II happy tireEide Of your own"
''Pcrhaps | may have been fascinated
--beWitcled.' he began But at that mo-
Ment Mr.. Summers carriage rolled by.
Kat;S hand lay caressingly on the
window, with IL diamond bracelet blazing
Oh her wrist Her sweet face. just tingcd
by ilcrtng blush. looked out, with
smile Of recognition.
Richard bowed rs the high steppin.
grays whrlcd past him and with face
somewhat paer. finished his remark.
"Rut | have had courage to resist the
snare
The last apple blossoms lay in ROSY
drifts on the velvet grass OF country
orchards--thc bright American sky was
hl,ier and SUMMER than the heavens of all
the southern clines that lie in soft, etcr
nal Sunshine.
At least 50 Wyndham thought as hs
stepped once more on shore from the
deck of the steamer which had brought
him across the Atlantic.
a homesick wanderer, alone now. for
Emily lay under the turf Of a little
churchyard where the yiolets Of France
blooned.
He shrank from recognition and was
seriously annoyed when IN old acquaint-
anee caught him by both hands.
Back again. ehf Come, you shall
dine with me tonight, and we'll talk over
old tines
No refusal would satisfy Alric and
Wyndham was forced to comply.
Vi SuuubtSp tHC Aoi hiNa
as they sat together over their dessert
"But that's generally the bill of fare
when q man returns from two years
absence. Let me see. Jennings Is dead,
Soames' wife has eloped, Maynard Is
married. old Sumner failed and died aft
erward You remember his pretty daugh-
ter, don't you? And
Sumner failed. What has become Of
the family"
Don't know, I'm sure. You know
how it 10 In a city like this. When
man goes under, the tide closes over his
head. Cniryille has made a fortune 10
the wine business, and
But Wyudham heard nothing further.
Not until that moment did he realize
how often Katy Summers eyes had min
gled in the phantasies Of waking vision
and midnight dream. 1t came to him
like heartbreak.
A warm July evening he drew bridla
In front Of a puzzllng tangls Of cross
roads, where the Connecticut hills were
traversed by a merry little stream.
upon my word" he mused, Il scarce
Iy know which way to turn. can't very
we'll take all four roads at once, SO 50
ahead Selim."
The sun trembled above the line Of far
off hills and there was yet no sign Of hui
man presence save solitary farmhouse.
with roof covered by patches Of green
moss, nesting in hollow.
wyndham paused a moment, then rode
up to the dooryard.
He strode courageously round to the
back door. where little garden stretch
ed itself down the slope Of the bill.
There slender figure In brown dress,
was STOPPING, gathering fruit. He ad-
vanced, with an apologetic cough.
II beg your pardon, but could I. In.
quire"-
"Mr. Wyndham"
"Miss Sumner!"
or course, there were explanations and
all that sort OF thing, and a long time
| they took, too. considering there were no
very elaborate disclosures to be made.
"Will you, Katy, dearest?" was his last
question as they turned toward the
| house.
"You must ask Uncle Eliab. He Is my
only guardian now, and keep house for
him since Aunt Kate died." answered
| Katy demurely.
"Wcll," said Uncle Eiab, with his
hand on Katy's brown hair, so you've
made up your mind to live In New York
again. Well, ! never was there but
| once, and don't know that | want to SO
| again.
| "And you supposed me TO be frivo-
| Ioua butterfly, basking in the sunshine OF
prosperity" said Katy, a, little later.
"I'm much obliged, sir.'
| "No, dearest" returned the young man
| earnestly. at was false idea and one
| which has cost mo two years OF unhap-
pincss. 1t is a pity that we can only
learn from experience in this worid!-'
| Exchange.
Engaged.