The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-07
A FORFEITED srEPFArHERHoop.

Elmer Harding picked envelope addressed 10
the firm OF which he senior partner and which he
found lying upon his desk, itself being
placed file for future reference Something about
the Handwriting recalled memory that was haunting
and elusive
"A woman's fist evidently he said TO himself and
tucked envelope pgeonhoe only keep think
ing OF it the exclusion of topics
Then he of its hiding place. examined
it carefully.
Where have I seen that handwriting before? is
as familiar breath of the old lilac that stood
a. the door Of the south porch home wish these
Vasrant memories would not come disturbing me with
their vague hints of happy past must md out about
this
He touched bell and the head clerk responded to
the summons.
Where is the letter which this contaned?' asked
Harding held up the empty envelope
4 viii bring it, The woman who wrote it wanted
US"
"oh. did woman write it, Pretty good business
hand. eh. Simpson,?
Yes. sir and she's good business woman. too I
should say. Her husband bought a block o buildings
the south side and intended coming city to
live. but he died suddenly, the widow prefers
remain on their farm. Omaha commits
stoned to sell the property here I'll fetch the letter
The explanation however, had satisfied Harding that
he had no personal interest in the matter and he took
the letter when it handed him perfunctory
ner and did not take the trouble read it. AS
mere matter of FORM he glanced the signature and
great start lie knew then why his middle-aged
heart had thumped violently sight Of that hand
writing. why memory had evoked sweet perfume and
watts of incense out OF dead past. Here
to conjure with Rose Atkinson, She who had been
Rose Boynston. the flower all praisng. and
the only that had blooIned for him. of
the prairie, of his heart Aid she married that
red-headed chump. Ed Atkinson. while he. Elmer
ing. getting ready in then go
back and ask her marry him. He knew he had
one to blame but himself he felt it with Rose
case of bird in the hand but for long years he
and aggrieved his detection. he chose
consider it. And she widow
He he lett hen we'll
worded business epste, quite unlike anything he would
have expected of Rose who had been duse and undeI
cided in the old days 1t hurt him think of her
business woman when he remembered the sweet girl
ishness of her early youth the ripple gold
hair. he had loved call it, the merry
gurgling laugh Then he looked in the little mirror
his desk and the promonory of knowledge from
which his hair had departed the lack-uster eyes
and the heavy double chin
You're fool Elmer Harding" he said. pulling
self together with sign If she did you in
the old days she would not look you now" and he
gave his mind business for the rest Of the day
But the next day he wrote her letter. friendly.
with apparent business motive but filled throughout
with gentle reminders of the past asking her as
old friend to answer it and tell of herself.
informed her that he had married
to old bachelorhood
He waited for with feversh interest that
gave zest TO his life, and when he found 1t awaiting
him at his apartments-he was too shrewd to have it
addressed to the oce-he trembIed like boy
he opened it, The letter clevery written leaving
much to the imagination of its reader. Facts
merely touched Several children good and
money the her portion. She would not
speak of her loneliness but would understand She
alluded to the dear past in contrast wild
owed state and hurriedy closed her memorier
overpowered her. Elmer Harding reverently
signature and murmured.
Dear little Rose! That slight gle creature strue
Cling with the of 4 growing family. Why she is
nothing but child herself 1 wonder If has kept
that perfect color she had. like the which
was named. Dear. shy. sensitive Rose, how would
like you"
Other letters were exchanged. and finally meeting
between the two arranged. sar. Harding bust
in that part the country sentimentas though
he might be. he enough like his fellow
able conjure up business the Sahara II
necessary he wrote Mrs Atkinson that would
be in her neighborhood and call upon her such
time but the little god of prudence restrained him
making any open avowal of until he could
his dear face to face But he very impatient
lover
He reached Omaha a day in advance of the time he
expected but immediate outgoing train for
the town on the which Atkinson farm
located There was one car a day Harding seated
back of it, pulling his hat his
but closely observant surroundings \ noisy crowd
was entering. and he watched them. as besides him
self they the only passengers tall stout woman
and half a hatchet-faced children. loaded with
parcels Juggling baskets. struggled in and
haggling seats.
Here you children get into your seats and stay
there, You Ed. your sister alone. Wait till get
home-TH teach you not to in the cars Elmer,
stop eating them grapes
MY name amt Elmer" said boy with grin
Yes it is. don't you forget il. Your
won't take back talk. If 1 do. He'll soon size you
up"
VIII pa pull our hair the way our old pa
did This precocious girl with fiery shock Of
red
You bet he will Reddy. Ny. wonder how he looks.
Say. ma has he got red hair?'
NO 7 reckon it's gray like mine, though maybe
he hasn't changed as much as have seeing hasn't
a lot Of young worry his life out He couldn't
hold a candle to your pa when all young to-
yether mabba he's improved some. Dornidy Atkin-
stop pulling Cara's hair: II you don't behave you
can't go to meet Your pa tomorrow.
He amt our pa yet" winged in Dornidy, whereat
ner mother shook increasing the horid Of that
good womans a dark purple hue, while she re-
7ewed the threat. Wait till your pa comes
At the next station the in the back OF the
sneaked out and took the first rain back Omaha.
MRS NJ. l. RAYSE-