The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-11
THE LOVE POWDER.

U the lCe3l he mad pictured TO share his
- a week and pa-take Of the fortune he
Knew would be his as soon as he estab-
lished grocery around the corner in a
district that was in his mind famish-
! ING for the right kind OF a provision
! house. The young man who delivered
milk and the ''oil man" had been as reg
ular visitors as the grocer's boy. but il
! was generally conceded that the latter
/ had the inside track as far as Nora was
concerned.
But William did not care for any inside
track. He had done nothing rude tc
awaken her from her dream; neither had
I he encouraged her 10 the extent Of put
ting an extra orange on the top of the
! dozen ordered. The nearest he came TO
I helping matters was to stay long enough
l N his early morning round 10 drink cup
o. coffee before the Benson family came
/ down 10 breakfast
That William is the most aggravatin'
man I ever saw" said Nora 10 Helen,
! the second girl. 'Nde never invites me 10
place, and his day off and my after
/ noon off are the same. l don't know
/ whether he loves me or not. I wish l
/ could find out. l know he hasn't any
| other girl He don't act much like Her
man. When l see you and Herman to-
! gether it just makes my heart ache lou
| both seem so satisfied and Herman is so
nice and accommodatin -
Helen laughed. Yes Herman and get
along very nicely she replied. We IN
derstand each other. He loves me, and
he has told me so a hundred times. OF
course. 1 love him. But Herman is rot
the same kind of man as William. he
IS not a bit bashful, and when he likes
q person he don't keep il to himself. l
don't know about william"
He has been comm here now for over
two months responded Nora. sorrow
fully. And all he does is TO smile in a
funny way ard talk about the weather
and humble theater songs that tell about
girls with every name bat mine
Two months was long time for Nora
to know man she liked and not have
him propose TO har. William was long
past due, and she was getting desperate.
Il wish there was some way for me to
bring that man around, said Nora,
thoughtfully. But l don't think there
Is"
7 know a way, and a sure one" said
Helen, quickly. as the idea came to her.
Give him a love powder
"A love powder? And what is a love
POWDER" asked Nora.
why. IL is a powder that they sell at
the Italian drug store around the corner,
that makes whoever takes it love the
person who gives it. Herman told me
about it and said he knew several boys
wanted to love them. and of girls who had
given them 10 boys, and that it worked
like a charm. They cost a good deal, so
cents, / think. But they are worth a
hundred times that when they make low
ers come together.
Are you sure there is nothin' in them
that might harm person." asked Nora,
apprehensively.
"Oh, no; Herman says that they just
make people love, and that they would
not hurt a flea answered Helen.
And how would l get him to take it,
If he don't like me he wouldn't take one
for fear he might be forced to love me,
said Nora.
Il have a scheme Put one of them in
his coffee when he comes in the morn
irg. You could put it in the cup before he
comes and then pour the coffee on top,
and he would never know it, said the
bright Helen.
IN do it" said Nora. firmly.
When Herman called that evening
Helen told him of the sad position Nora
was in and of the drastic means she had
decided upon to force reciprocity upon the
apathetic William. Herman smiled. He
and William were warm friends. and
while he did not like the idea he did not
openly oppose it.
The next day Nora doubtingly sneaked
around to the Italian drug store. She
walked past il several times. waiting for
two or three customers to get out, so she
could have clear field to ask for the
magic potion. She walked past the clerk
in the front part Of the store and back to
the little black Italian who stood near
the glass prescription counter. He looked
capable of mixing worse things than love
powders. and Nera began to think she
was dropping into the atmosphere of the
lower regions.
y want a love powder" she said, in a
whisper.
BY the matter-of-fact way the clerk
went about it, it was evident that the
store was doing a big love-powder bust
ness with the amOrouS girls in that dis
trlct. and probably with a few Of their
mistresses. Tucking the stuff. which was
neatly done up in three-colored paper.
under her shawl. Nora slipped out OF the
store guiltily and back home.
Nov 1 am ready for him when he
comes in the morning" she unused
That evening Herman waited for VII
liam after the grocery was closed and
told the unsuspecting clerk of the con-
sIiracy against his heart.
"Of course you know. Billie. that them
powders is harmless; made of -four, 1
guess" assumed Herman.
The next morning William started out a
little earlier than usual
It's pretty chilly this mornin'. VIII
Fam" said Nora. nervcusiy. as William
seated himself beside the table. VIII
you have a cup Of coffee?'
Il don't mind, answered William, care
lessiy.
The coffee was poured into the cup and
from the latter quickly into william
The effects Of the potion was so instan
taneous that Nora IN turn became fright
ened and suspicious.
My dear Nora, what makes you 50 cold
you know that I love you, and you won't
have anything 10 do with me-
oh. William. what makes you talk SOL
said Nora, with feigned embarrassment
Il love -ou better than any girl IN The
world" said the new lover with emo
ton as he jumped from his chair and
grabbed Nora IN his arms Then he kissed
her and swore further allegiance 10 her
heart.
Nora was IN heaven. She had forced
reciprocity upon an unwilling lover. She
rested her head upon William s shoulder
My dear Billie. you might know that
eve YOU 7 have only BEEN waiting FOR
you to speak. bat you have been long
time about it,
Nora. Nora. darling. The on'y girl for
me- sung William IN vaudeville tun--
His love came upon Nora With rush
and il became thicker ever moment. ard
il was OILY cut short by TIE approach Of
Hrs. Beus3a-
william called 20 see Nora every even
ing ;het week lie appeared Infatuated
Nora was biri-lIke ia her happiness. she
felt lisht-hearted enough u Heat. Friaay
nieht tkey became Engaged The wedding
Cay was Gxed for cile month later.
Bur what sm I 50 o. Tor a weddins
cHtGt asked Blliic la T
oh don't worry about that dear. r.
Sr11d.i Nora- 7 h-Fe 8 lt-le none
GOD s7-n- rrlif - lis hnfh
----L-.-.-- l------.-- ~ y. ~.