The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-23
DON AND DAN.

DON AND DAN.
She loved them both-only differently
Don for his quiet devotion; Dan for his
bTainy achievem ents. She had tried lard
TO decide between them, but her heart
had failed her completely
they had bOtE proposed, but 50 differ
entity. Yet neither failed in his efforts 10
show himself the true lover. Don was
decidedly clever as ar artist, while one
could see at a glance that Dan would not
be long in making his mark in the
world. So there was really no apparent
choice for the poor girl She had weigh
Cd them carefully i'll the matrimonial
scale, but they both balanced at love,
and she was al her wits ends
Don had called several times OF late
only 10 find Dan comfortably seated on
the sofa beside Sue. After stammering
different excuses on the various occa-
si0ns he made hasty exits. often hear
ing Dan break forth into peals OF laugh
ter. Sue was silent through il all Never
a letter inviting Dan TO call on certain
/ evening, so he decided that Dan spent
al his spare moments with Sue
If It were thus. surely Dan was the
( favorite. so Don relieved his aching
/ heart by devoting ali his spare moments
( in painting beautiful canvas OF Sue S
/ head-for old-times sake. SO Dons visit
/ became less frequent, and Dan felt conii-
dent of a bride, until, one day, something
strange happened, as they always do il
love affairs.
/ Twas a perfect day that found Dan
and Sue enjoying a horseback ride along
the speedway Sue looked the very acme
of grace and poise in her riding habit,
and Dan could not crowd down the con-
ceit that rose in his breast when he
thought how he had won her away from
all rivals. especially Don. He was better
I f4r Cvrl rt1 Q
was more popular, and, above all. he
was brighter. So, with an overstocA OF
self pride. he rode beside Sue with what
might be termed. in slang, an enlargement
of the hat-band.
All the while that Dan was picturing
his better points on the relief, Sue was
thinking of Don Surely what had be
come of the boy? He had not been at
her house in over q week. Nor had he
sent single word of excuse, and she,
in the whirl Of her numerous social du-
ties. had neglected to write him. She was
slightly worried about the state Of af-
fairs. although she would not admit il 70
her consciencc-that seemed annoyed or
iate-so tried in vain TO crowd 1t out OF
her busy little brain
There was a SUDDEN click Of steel, a
quick jerk that threw Dan from his sad
die, and his horse was off like a Wild
beast clearing everything before IT, Dan
was bravely clinging 10 the stirrup strap,
but il was a terrible position; only a
question of seconds when his strength
would fail him; then he would be dragged
TO death. All efforts to stop the horse
seemed to enrage him the more
Sue sat in the saddle like one petrlfed
with fear. She was pOwerless to move.
Suddenly. almost as soon as the horse
started, a cyclist whizzed by 1t was
Don. On. on, he few, until abreast OF
the mad horse. One final burst of speed
and the wheel crossed the horses track.
Don rose on his pedals, grasped the curb
bit and threw himself onto the horse
neck Twas an acrobatic feat tit Tor q
circus. As he did so DOn's hold on the
strap relaxed, he fell backward and drag
ged along the roadway, until Don brought
the nervous steed TO stand-still. It
was a brave deed from start to finish and
Don came out without a scratch, but
minus wheel
As Don was being complimented on all
sides Sue came into view. dismounted'
leaving her horse in charge OF an urchin-
She took Don's hand without a word and
shook it warmly, then stopped TO exam
inc Dan. He was unconscious and need
ed medical aid. Handkerchiefs, cold wa
ter. a few TASKS and various other
things We're freely offered by the sympa-
thizinE crowd. and all were intent on re-
viving Dan. when the sharp clang OF the
ambulance bell dispersed them.
Dan was carefully slowed away in the
ambulance. while Don mounted the front
seat, after promising to call on Sue that
evening.
The front doorbeH rang. Sue rushed to
the door and threw it open. Don stepped
over the threshold and found himself in
the arms of Sue.
"Oh. you dear, brave soul-'twas Just
ike you"
oh. twas nothing" stammered Dan
II knew you loved him, and 1 hated TO
see your happiness in this life die before
your very eyes"
Love him? Nothing Of the sort. I love
you"
'+Suew
A lump came into his throat and tears
into his eyes. He kissed her-such a
glad kiss.
Six weeks later Dan went South, not
broken-hearted. but with a bride. Her
name, however, was not Sue.-Boston
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