The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-11
MOI In HIS SET

man, and. turning away, Ne walked dow n
The shaded alleys OF the garden. his hat
in his hand, his pale, handsome face
eowncast. his arms liIap and his legs hes
itating For he was tired OF IA reason
at Atlantic City, and. having heard that
his ia ncee. Miss Helen Templeton. was az
her Massachusetts summer home for the
fag end of the sammer, he had come
from the city for the purpose OF hailing
her home from Europe.
Presently he came upon a Yine-covered
arbor from which the faint odor OF CT
garette smoke seemed TO issue. Recon
noitering. ne saw the glimmer Of q white
lawn dress and the poise Of d shapely
head that seemed familiar. As he knew
nest OF Miss TeTnpletons friends, and
was an inveterate joker, he tiptoed 10
the entrance Of the little summer-house
and said:
Have I caught your
The face which looked up at him was
very beautiful. very intelligent, very
/ "piquante." which is sometimes another
name for "saucy," but already the tell
tale cigarette had nicked away into a
JUMPED bush and he stood confused be-
fore the lady.
u beg pardon. Miss he began.
.Ponterre," she suggested annoyance
showing an instant IN the fash Of her
black eyes. 'Juliettc Pontsrre." with an
irquiring glance which he did not under
stand you know me?''
! 1T is my misfortune 10 have to say no.
miss" he said, noticing the black splen-
dor Of her hair, the noble figure, the chal-
+ longing eyes.
Yes. the misfortune is yours, because
/ well. know you" she said. her slight
/ French accent enhancing the interest he
already felt in her.
May I ask where We metz
1T does not matter. sir. she said, you
are no stranger 70 me"
/ 1t is kind of you to remember me and
TO say so. hope you did not throw away
! your cigarette on my account he sug
Gested, barking back. rs was his in
sdnct, to the questionable accident which
had attracted him.
II do not smoke in the presence OF
men, she said
And why not?" he suggested. trying to
look mischievously into her eyes you
know most OF US smoke. too
Oh, yes. You do many things which
you forbid women to do, and what you
call habits are crimes with US. BESIDES,
] wish you had not seen me smoke. ask
that you for get il. VIII you?"
4 may forget it. but not you. Miss Pom
terre. Why do you regret that 1 saw
you? 1t is no sim.
4 would not care 10 risk my reputation
in your hands YOU
Z am at least a gentleman. i
You think so, but l have my own opin-
ion
I should like to have your good opin-
ion. Miss Ponterre."
BAH 1t could not matter. Besides.
know too much about you, and besides.
you should not talk TO- look at any wo-
man that way. You are engaged 10 Miss
Templeton."
But I'm not married to her am
Free? Not free. sir. while you are the
slave of so many small meannesses. You
have liberty which is only another name
for license. Pouf, Do you think I don't
know? Even il 1 were a flirt you would
be the last man l should notice"
You are severe" said the blase young
nan. flushing in spite of his weak efforts
to laugh. and wondering why he did not
walk away, you must be uncommonly
interested TO speak to me like that [
thank you for that interest. but I'd like
TO defend myself. l have done you no
harm
No You have had no opportunity.
have no money. I am not in your
set. Il"
I wish that you were in my set as
you call it. Miss Ponterre. 1 am con-
scious of my failings. but-women do
not often talk to me as you do. Are you
a friend of Miss Templeton?"
Friend? Oh. l don't know. I know
her"
she did not give you your impress
sions Of me?"
Heavens, no! She believes in you"
And you do not?"
NO, indeed. 1 despise YOU You are a
man so selfish, so wanton. so disloya..
DO you suppose I forget your treatment
Of my-of Miss Van Zandt? You paid
court TO her. as you call IL. She was
pretty. she was vivaeious. she loved adu-
lation. did she not? Wen, YOU played
upon those weaknesses. You led her in
To some frivolities that might not look
wei 10 the evil-minded Did you nOt2
You never thought OF being her friend
or of marrying her she was your play
thing-till-
TIL what?" He was wan now, and
fretted with the merciless faying of the
beautiful woman's tongue
It'll what?" he repeated.
It'll I told her of your establishment
in Thirty-siXth street. Why. I have seen
you driven in her phaeton to that very
hole. And now you are to marry Miss
Templeton, You are not fit TO marry
even so amiabIe a fool"
And you will expose ne2"
TO your own ewes"
Can't You say something kinder now-
What if 7 tell YOU that I am sorry for
the evil things 7 have done? Do YOU be-
heve in repcntance?"
Not in yours. Have you married that
Hutton girl in Mulberry street,"
Re stared at her in scared astonish-
ment. She seemed infinitely more beau
uful, more sagacious. more terrible than
any woman he had ever met. She seem
ed 70 know all about him
For Gods sake Miss-:" he forgot !
her name in his excitement. For Gods /
sake. wh0-how-
How did I know Il? How stupid You
smart folks are, Don't You know that I
Miss Van Zandt's footman is Hutton and I
that he lives In Mulberry street,
Then. Miss Van Zandt knows. too. /
and VIII ten Helen. Come i that vhat 1
you're driving att" He tried 20 work /
himself into a rage, but 1t was feeble /
effort
TEL her? dare say she has told her
arrea6y. Put Il is TO use. Helen Tem-le-
ton is fool. and SIZE has set her heart /
- another fool Besides-
There was q sound Of footsteps coming .
along the walk Miss Pouterre paused. (
gathered her skirts about her ard escaped f
Just as Miss Helen Templeton entered at /
the opposite passaeeway.
Helen. stammered the Young man
striving 20 look calm do you know Mss
Monterre OF Pouterre-
"Pon1erree Julictte2 DO you mean
GATHERINGS Made Miss Van Zandr-s
Frelch SRI. but Kate gives her entirely
ask2
"oh. I raet-that 50. : heard TIE name
somewhere a1d-and couldn't remember
jus1 where. -John Y Eafte-y-
4 Long-Liyed Profession.