The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-20
| Am a Hero-for One Moment

They were making up sets for the
/ lancers. Miss Maisie rather thought she
| would like 10 dance them; I was per-
fectly certain that I shouldn't. Now. If
there IS any occasion upon which man
| is absolutely justified in taking care Of
! himself, it Is at a dance. Dancing
| as Horace Parker says in "A Message
/ From Mars, was invented by and for
| women and I never scruple to take q
/ little well-earned rest (and refreshment
when the band begins 10 tune up for
the lancers. This may serve TO explain
how it happened that whenever we ap-
! preached set we found II just COM
pIeted Obviously. there was then Moth
/ ing for it but the dear old window seat
! in the hall. an ice and two glasses OF
| champagne.
Miss adasie, seating herself comfortably.
said that she U.dn.t ike window SEATS.
| But there is no draught," I urged.
"As If that mattered," she rejoined
Men are always think ing about com
fort"
For others-yes. what would you Ike?
An ice?''
No. For themselves
I called the waiter and asked him to
bring me two glasses Of champagne, and
q vanilla ice
ITS really TOO disgustingr' said Miss
| Aiasies disgustedly.
I called the man back, and changed
vanilla for strawberry.
Vanilla, please" said my partner to
the man. You know I didn't mean
that" she added, as soon as he had
gone.
7 had to find out" I suggested meek
" "And please don't look so cross"
why shouldn't I look cross"
Because people viii think We are
TT r,v-g
you might have thought of that be-
fore" she exclaimed with some alarm;
especially when you know how partic
ular mother is"
I looked at Miss AIaisie
-" BEFORE
Before choosing such a place as this
for sitting OUT
You are quite right" agreed. But
the mistletoe saves u.s.
Sac looked up.
Saves you, you mean"
Saves US both It hangs there, over
our heads, a testimony Of innocence
Pm not convinced in the least. Peo-
pie are so stupid"
That makes 1t all the better They
Will think that one of US had a motive
in choosing this seat"
''One Of us?''
Il viii say both if you prefer it,
gave it to ner. There was a pause.
I'm glad I'm not a man" said Miss
Maisie, at last.
$50 am I" said.
There is nothing" she continued, ig-
noring my feeble display of white flag
that is worth quite 50 much as self
respect"
Except, perhaps, respect for others"
Miss Maisie looked at me-mainly, I
imagine because she had nothing ready
to say. At that moment the walter ar
rived with the ice and champagne.
Vanilla all gone, Miss he said. Tive
brought strawberry"
Never mindh'' said Miss Maisie. 81
don't think I want any now"
I gave him nod, and he walked off,
leaving the ice. AS he went he looked
back at us.
I don't IKE that man. said my part
ner. She was eating the Zee.
Nor I. He appears to draw particular
conclusions from general instances.
Hows the ice?"
"oh, don't bother That set seems to
be over.
The dancers were streaming through
the hall. Each couple that went by shot
a glance in the direction Of the window
seat
How innocent they all arer' whisper
ed Miss Maisie. This seems to be a
favorite place"
''Or stupid" I suggested, and was re-
warded with the slightest suspicion of
a blush.
You said that made it all the better"
she asserted.
For one of us-yes.''
II am a woman, she retorted.
Il win defend you with my last
breath I promised.
''Oh. but they couldn't" she pleaded
You forget that I am stranger to
the architecture of the house."
DO you really think there IS any dan
ger?'
Stupidity knows TO limits"
But it was your suggestion"
"Of course
'",Then, you must suggest a remedy"
I pretended to think hard, and then
II have it," I exclaimed
''One moment She slipped q little
champagne. Nov"
II must kiss you"
'snIeverl"
Now. But once only"
THANK you. That decides me-"
May not. Take me back to mother.
please"
ry well. But # I were you I would
think Of the morrow"
81 do. mean, that has nothing TO do
with it
'~That has everything to do with It.
I am sure your mother would see"
"Dontl''
THE force Of my suggestion. II IS
the only chance. I viii clinch the mat
ter afterward by giving oral evidence Of
my unyfelding win"
''But-but-"
They are going in. It VIII be too late
IN q minute
sOh, L"
AS we PASSED into the ballroom again
our waiter was standing near the door
way. He shot a glance Of sympathy It
nv partner.
''I wonder II he ssw?'' she SAID
ct hope So" said bravely
''Herol" exclaimed Mss Maisie, with a
last glance Of malevolence-
bowed.
His Burden Of Trouble.
from the Detroit Free Press.)
After the farmer had placed the last