The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-29
A CONVENTIONAL ROMANCE.


+ that way. She was sitting on the front
/ stoop because the house was hot. and The
( servants were packing for the annual trip
/ 10 the sea and her parents were out, and
/ because she was lonely The thick foil
( age OF the trees which stood about the
I house yelled Miss Edythe from the gaze
| Of the promenaders and drivers along the
avenue. The arc lights over the highway
made the shadows denser. and she sat
alone. a cool. disphanous radiance IN the
gloom.
But presently there was a grind %
wheels in the drive. the click OF hoof
beats in the gravel, and smart runabout
whirled under the trees TO the steps.
That you, Miss Edythe7' cried q man.
~ voice.
Yes That you. Biliy?"
NO. Miss Edythe." with shade of dis
( appointment in his voice NO; it's only
Fhil-Phil Henderson,
oh you. Philip with a sprightiy
/ laugh; it's so dark in here
VIII you take a little ride, Edythe?"
why, yes thank you Must I dress
up"
mo. no, Just as you are. Wen keep
of the crowded places"
She ran down the steps and was up be
side him in q moment He got glimpse
of her as they passed under the electric
light and she seemed very beautiful IN
her simple gown Of lawn and lace. her
bronze hair bound upon her shapely head
in old-fashioned plaits.
He drove through by streets and little
lanes toward the lake. and she chatted
right merrily of what she meant 70 do at
the seashOre.
1t was about that-about your going
away-that I wanted to talk. Edythe-
mean. what might happen while you are
down there in the gay doings. and so
forth"
You see he vas not eloquent. but there
was that in his voice and manner which
made Edythes eyes widen with surprise
and perhaps, pleasure.
Happen, What could happen? You
know I'm a good swimmer and-and papa
will be with me, Philip
oh, / don't mean that. You might fall
IN love. or-that is, some other fellow
might win you. and"
Philip There was just hint Of
scream in this whispered exclamation)
And, fact of the matter is. Edythe.
love you. Hang it. knew 1 never could
tell you right. But 1 love you all right,
and-and 1 want TO know before you 80
away. l want you to promise.
"Oh, Phil" she pouted, don't talk like
that. Why, I never even dreamed you'd
go on that way. Please don't take my
hand. Please. Phil. Forget il"
CThis was slang, OF course, but really
there was no affectation in Edythe's
makeup, and besides. this isn't fction)
But I won't forget it. Edythei I can't
I've made up my mind 10 have you, and
will unless-Unless-"
Unless what, Phil?'
Unless there's somebody else you like
better
She hung her head for a moment and
was silent. Some loiterers came near and
she said. quite family: Drive on. Phil
lent and thinking very fast, but he could
not think OF anything better than 10 ask.
rs theTe?"
She looked away. biting her red lip. and
did not answer till he repeated: Is there
anyone else. Edythe?"
Yes" she murmured" and suddenly
the hoOf beats Of his horse came hollow
and dolorous. and the waves sighed. The
far-off chorus OF some singers sailing
through the dark became suddenly plain
tive sad, with an unutterable tenderness
You may know how well I like you.
Phil. when I talk 10 you like this she
said, speaking low. but very rapidly.
There is another. He"
It's Bnly-Bnly Stanford. isn't it?" he
interrupted.
Yes. Phil; it's Billy He"
How long since he-how did you come
to-when did he propose?' Numbered Phil.
That's just il, Phil That's why You
must be very careful not TO say a word
about what I'm telling you. He hasn't
proposed at alI--yet
"Edythe"
ooh, I'm sure he loves me- Phil. Now.
don't think I'm bold to talk 10 you like
this have no brother. and you
mo. noi Not that. Edythe. Don't say
you're going TO be a sister 10 me, he
laughed a little bitterly but went on
manfully: Go ahead Edythe. Billy IS
all right. If it isn't me I'd rather it'd be
Billy Go ahead, Sister Edythe.
We'll I'll go on. but you mustn't get
impatient, Phil. I hate TO talk like this
tc you; but. oh, Phil. do so need some
body to tell il to-
That's right. all right. Edythe. Go on.
go on
We're near home again. Phil" she
said, and I feel cold Would YOU mind
stopping a minute while I get my shawl
or wrap Of some sort7"
And SO he drove back into the elooming
shadows and watched her fash up the
wide, low steps into the house. She must
have had a time finding her little pink
Persian shawl, for It was already packed
away. but after awhile she ran down the
steps again and skipped nimbly 10 her
place in the waiting runabOut
Il was just coming in for YOU" he said.
and she pitied him, as she noticed the
tremulous note liz his voice
You're so kind, Phil. 1t is lovely Of
YOU TO be SO patient and so interested
row that YOU know 7 love Billy"
He started as with the pain OF this un-
welcome repetition. but she went on. glad
IL the possession Of a sympathetic conf
dant, eager with the little story which
sat next TO her fond feminine heart
Z can tell he loves me by q hundred
little signs. Poor Billy, Hes 50 bashful,
In my modest way I've tried TO encourage
him. Phil and I dont think 10 unmaiden-
~ 10 do that. not when I love him so.
Do you. Phil?"
They passed right under an arc iighs
then. and as she looked Up in his face
she saw the fair. smiling. strong face 81
Billy Stafford,
Beech The crossing policeman
whirled around.
Don't scream. Blythe" said Billy.
It's me. all right"
You see his language was quite as IN
grammatical as Phls. and there isu
anything more 10 b. said except that Phil
Henderson,. having seen Edythe run info
her house for wrap drove round 90 key
place 90 GET a -bracer and got two.
while Billy whose rura bout was q duui-
Gaze Of his own, drove Up ard carried
the situation
An Explanation Requested.
The late John W. Bailey. managing cd
tor of the Philadelphia Record had q
large fund % stories ard anecdotes con
corning tlpesctters mistakes ~ is gen
orally known. his career or The Record
began ia the composing room. from t1e
foremanship. Of Hhirh be was raised into
The executive editorial pos.tioa be hfid.
uutii the time n his recent death one