The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-19
THE CONFESSION OF HELEN sRowNLEE.

long ago." said those gathered about
1T happened when Chicago was not as large as
IL is now I had Just left school. and it neces-
sery that help make the living or get married You
may be bit surprised but your GRANDMA was not
always itch. When l young father owned his
own place and was foreman factory not far away,
and Lincoln Park-then with a cemetery at one end
One Sunday afternoon father bounced
through the doorway dodge shower de drew out
of his coat long pocketbook of red leather, and
mother I sprang for the treasure. Father shook
his head and folded the wallet in his arms
This money declared, If there is any in the
thing is not mine found it Hishwaymen never
despoied victim quicker than despoiled father
Mother took the purse into the parlor and went
promptly through the folds. 1t literally filled
with bills While mother was discovering these
things father telling how he had found the money
had sitting the bench at Lincoln Park when
a wel-dressed young along, stopping now and
then write his in the sand with his stick lie
father tossed pebbles into the water
Suddenly sky darkened and they both started In
father where the young had been sitting,
pocketbook. Father picked it and set right
and the but he lost in the crowd push
ing the Clark horse ear-for they were
horse cars then. He remembered the young man had
been writing his name and went back The waves had
washed the letters away. except j. w. Bro Father
then hurried home.
After we had all counted the money thought to
lcok for some Identification On the inside nap
were the initials j. b and wanted to keep
been found but father declared he would
rather down into paupers grave than to use money
belonging to else. All at once beekoneu 10
mother and whispered. She Rugged Father? Wen,
father supposed to have an interest in these
things astcnshed him. though, and won him by say
ing great decision. that myself would deliver that
pochetbook the hands of the owner That night
mother and looked my dresses Something had to
be rieked. Mother thought DIT and went downstairs
Shortly after heard loud words below and nalt-hour
later mother up tearsained but triumphant Two
days had money. ana for US lots of It,
IN the meantime had answered the advertisement
the corresponding The reply to the first letter de-
veloped the that J. ". B. stood for j. W Brown
lee In the directory that J. w. Brownlee
founder. and that ]. ". Brownee. IT. was his
son. Inquiry the information that the Brown
lees wealthy.
Father stayed at home Mother engaged apartments
at fashionable hotel and night lighted the great
red-shaded lamp. Shortly after o'clock there was
knock. Ny heart in my mouth, as they say and
mother fully nervous. 1 went TO the door and
swung it OPEN bell boy held salver toward On
the plate at last discovered the card, and said Tell
Mr.. Brownee to come up. When he came 1 was not
disappointed.
4 am Mr. BrownIee,' he said. bowling easily. re-
peated the mother only changing it to this
is called in response TO your note regarding the lost
pocketbook continued. The note, trust will intro
Mother had taken his hat, cane and gloves
AS profered him chair he glanced about and there
was calculation in that look.
You have not been greatly Inconvenience hope.
Brownlee? ventured, starting toward the cabinet,
stopped and turned where the red light of the lamp
smiled reassuringly as he declared he had
rot in the least put out.
7 knew it would fall into honest hands he said.
going the chair saying some foolish thing.
find itself Not of the evening had passed when
to saying he hoped to be permit
ted continue acquaintance so strangely begun
mother and the result was that ne was 10 can
the evening.
Fast and furious the counting went There were
Iatinees and moonlight boat rides This
was enjoyable the money almost and some
thing had to be done. One night when were on the
lake I said a DO know-fathers ply
stefan him abroad and about 10 pack
Up voyage. telling where Jerone-for his name
was Jerome Walden Brownlee-dropped and nearly
upset the skin by getting in again. He stammered L
leaned back and traed hand in the water
not I've mind to rebel, cried
Rebel" he exclaimed
How l. foolish boy I calculated.
when the boat grated the sand and he took my
hands help he them little squeeze, and
responded ever so gently. my through his.
and together walked down the beach
Would you really stay home? he asked nodded
my head Then he told me that he loved me and
him wild to til nix about to go away. He
asked he could love I said, How can help it,
and laughed. He wanted TO marry me- but had been
afraid to ask. Poor boyr murmured.
Run away he suggested. 1 was not sure about
that and could decide until morning.
How we hurried from alleged paterna and maternal
wrath afternoon. Left for the matinee and
landed Milwaukee where were married and started
on a cruise about the lakes 1t pleasant and
dreams seemed realized. dreaded the day when
husband should be undeceived.
''Denouenlent. Oh, the humiliation Of that hour.
The climax came the night steamer from Buffalo.
The the lake Kissed along the bows Of the
boat and dimpleQ IN the distance ana starlight
remember moonshne the brass rails and the win
kied shadow Of its spurs and rigging and
belching funnel-on the waves
am wealthy he said as I fear you may have
supposed. I grasped the rail.
you the founder? Ny words were scarce
iy audible
buried IN his hands. Same name
Il felt the auivering and family heard Jeromes
plea mercy. I wounded death
When the tenders creaked the dock had not slept
and was wild-eyed enough went the
plank a cab and while looking Of the
window Jerome told that he collector for
and that the he had lost belonged
n lrm The cab stopped IN front OF his mothers
house which within half dozen blocks OF
home sprang to the pavement and down the
"A question was screamed after I hurried ny
room. where I the floor ard cried. Mother
angry and said things. I the point q de-
Tending my husband strange that may seem. Ehen
father came home. Never before had Re a. this
hour ard ve hurried down We him 10 bed
sent for doctor he did not scold when
failure 7 had made Of ny matrimonial venture, only
stroked ny hair. By and oy folded his hands
-Afterward mother told the money spent or my
wedding had been borrowed and the house mortgagsd
vent 10 sign painter ard had tin made bear
ing the inscription II. Browuee. Mo6iste. and hung
pattern plates in my window The ~rno1.te draw
inS card
s4s-ss- 10 mortgage rs,-e due We gave aad