The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-21

CEXTRACT FROM FRANK WARDE's
Daryl
SO Lord, but it's rich. Who would
have imagined such a thing? And yet it's
as plain to me now as the nose on my
face. Yes the old fool is in love with
Leila Clarendon himself.
Does she suspect it? l wish l dared
tell her, but it won't do. She's tender
hearted little simpleton and has abso-
lutely no sense of humor. 1t wouldn't
strike her as it does me. 1 haven't for
gotten the flash in those big, soft eyes OF
hers when she turned them on me this
Hevening. Almost at times I'm afraid OF
her.
What the Devil would she do if she
should get on to the affair with that lit
tie Quebec beauty? What would she say
if she should see the stormy. ar-stained
letter that came from her today? Give me
the shake as sure as guns. Ergo, l must
shake the Quebec girl-at least for
time.
Pity Leila hasn't a little of that wicked
little witch's fire. With all, her rich pal
pitating loneliness, she's as cool os a
iulep at half strength. Little prude! re-
fused to kiss me even after shed said
yes. And then sent me off post haste to
tell the Doctor that she'd done as he
desired.
As he desiredi Gr-r-r! that stung. But
to win her on any terms-this glorious
Young beauty in her setting of golden
shaekels-put me in such high glee that
7 ambled off with lamb-lke docility to
obey her, going without word.
| burst into the Doctors study with
the rush of school boy. He was rising
from his desk. his face toward me. 1t
was like dead mans, and his eyes
seemed to burn me. Hanged if the look
in them wasn't so much like that Of some
desperately wounded animal that 1 stop
ped dead.
His lips moved-he seemed trying to
speak. He held out his hand.
"You have come to tell me-" ne said,
"that Leila consents-that she will be
your wife.
Then the great Joy in me dubbed over
| sprarg forward and seized his hands.
Yes, Doctor, yes. Congratulate me
I'm the happiest fellow under high heay-
en-. Think of this peerless young beauty
] have wont"
WAS it her loneliness alone that drew
YOU toward herr" he asked.
Old fool! l had half a mind to tell
him the truth. F-hcy me, Frank Warde
lally-gagging around her if she'r beer
plain What the Dickens is there to love
in an ugly woman? / wouldn't be caught
dead with one.
But it wouldn't do to tell him that. Not
a bit of it. Behold me, therefore, roll
ing pious eyes skyward and pulling g
face as long as giraffe.
MY dear Doctor" l twanged, 'how
can you ask such thing? 1 was attracted
by the beauty of her mind and soul; the
enduring loneliness of her stainless and
exalted character"
You should have seen his face then
With that glad glow breaking through
every feature, I'm hanged if he didn'
look positively beautiful. Atrociously so
begad'
God bless you, Frank" he said bro
kenly. you'll be good to my little girl
know You'll strive to make her happ!
never let her feel lonely or neglected
never give her reason to think that YOU
love her less than you do now, l an
sure
Trust me, Doctor" I said; but m.
eyes fell and beast of a great coli
worm went wriggling up my back. Ours
these high-stru people! They do max
you feel so small.
Doctor" I continued 81 want yol
to name the day. She left it with you
/ want you 20 say Christmas"
His hand was resting on the edge o
his desk 1t gripped the wood with sue
force that the knuckles turned bluis
white.
"a fortnight? So soon?' he said.
s-The sooner the better, I think.