The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-07-11
AN ARlsrocRATIc scANpAL.

They got on the elevated train at
Ffty-hfth street. He was well-groomed
youth Of . or Il. and she was a dark.
statuesque beauty, with an automobile
coat of fawn-coIored cloth, a Gainsbor-
ough hat and glasses The car was pref
y well filed, but they found places op-
pOsite me together. I could feel her giar-
Ing at me before I looked over the top OF
my paper and noted the serious express
sion on her fine eountenance- I tried 10
read, but when she addressed the young
fellow with her as Lord Cecil I could
not help listening.
I'VE are wen met. Lord Cecil she
began IN a naughty soto voice that made
my ears itch
well or III, my Lady Grosvenor," re-
piled her companion I for one am not
sorry TO arrive in time TO end this az
fair between you and my old Elton fag.
Sir Reginald
What right have you to NEEDLE with
my affairs?' asked the naughty beauty.
Just then the train stopped. and Lord
Cecil and Lady GresvenOr, with evident
Impotence, ceased their interesting con-
versation for fear OF being overheard. 1
was all ears for a resumption OF the ex-
traordinary dialogue, but 1 tried TO ap-
pear absorbed in my paper.
When the train moved on ! heard the
man reply:
Il am not medding. Right? Have
not every right TO protect my honor and
the future Of the woman I lover Have
you forgotten Monte Carlo? Have you
not ruined enough good men without pur-
suing my best friend?"
How was l 10 know that Sir Regi-
Maid was your friend?' she Kissed.
You knew he was happily married. "
whispered Lord Cecil. You knew he
was fabulously rich
And suppose I did? Am I no longer
entitled to my fancies?" she asked.
"Fancies?" he exclaimed. Are you
so lost TO all sense OF honor"
Here the car slowed up again and 81
lence ensued. was ali agog with interest
in the distinguished couple sitting oppO-
site me. Evidently two members Of the
British nobility were engaged in a bitter
cOlloQuy in a Chicago elevated train. and
I was the sole but not unwilling witness
to their mutual recriminations.
"Honor?" sneered Lady Grosvenor with
falling infection as though she feared
I might Overhear her extraordinary Sc
crets; why pirate to me of honor? Be
sides, you dare not interfere between
Lord Reginald and me. You must re-
member you are yourself a married
man
Gladys" mourned the man whom she
had called Lord Cecil; Gladys, why re-
y
meaningless to me2"
Cecil" she gurgled, as I hitched q
point nearer to catch the dulcet notes;
Cecil, why should we deceive our
selves with mutual determinations? Why
talk of honor when our lives for the
past six months have been at variance
with all the codes of established society?
Is it not cruel for you at this late day
10 assail me for the sake Of Sir Regi-
&c ha 1,rsf Hl~
pickering about the flame that has de-
stroyed so many?"
Then, you viii not give him up?"
asked the man, bitterly.
''Not till I have crucIfed him upon the
same cross upon which he sacrificed mel
she retorted, with subdued venom. Il
shall repay villainy with villainy. If he
did not draw my hearts blood in the
old days upon the Rivera it was not for
lack OF trying. Tonight 1 shall have my
turn" There was a world of vindictive
malice in her suppressed voice as she
concluded, thus: when I have plucked
out the false heart Of your friend Reg1-
Maid twill be time enough for you to
talk 70 me of love. would kill"
At this crucial point in her terrible
speech the train stopped at Forty-seventh
street and Lady Grosvenor, her face pale
with rage, her breast heavins with i'll
restrained emotion, was silent. Lord
Cecil, purple with anger and astonish-
ment his head bowed and shaken In 81
lent disapproval of her awful threats
against his friend, was regarding her
with sidelong glances of mingled fear and
admiration. It was a great scene, and
I yearned for the train TO resume so
that 1 might hear the climax of the ex-
traordinary situation being enacted be-
fore my eyes and within earshOt. But a
negro porter came and sat next 10 me
and directly opposite the beautiful peer
ess. She did not resume her impassiOn-
ed conversation. At Twelfth street heard
him whisper. Shall we go to hear Sousa
or take in the vaudevileg'
Lets go to the vaudeville" answered
Lady Grosvenor, with oddly plebeian
taste; I'VE can leave when we Ike and
have plenty of time for supper"
"All right, Gladys" agreed his lord
ship; Tets get of at Congress street and
walk up. We've time TO burnt
III go your quoth Lady Grosvenor,
with coquetish toss Of her fine head.
1 got off at Congress street, too. for
I wanted to note the further movements
Of these noble personages. As We crowd
ed down the elevated stairway 1 heard
him say:
Say, Gladys, 7 believe that guy oppo-
site Us In the car was 'rubbering.'
Sure" said milady, and I II bet he
thinks we're the real stuff"
Instead Of a couple o bum amateurs
rehearsing play" quoth Lord Cecil
John II. Raftery.