The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-21
A PASSING SHADOW.


The hotel, with its garish illumination
and full panoply of Saturday night hop.
was rapidly retiring into the background.
its twinkiing lights seeming mere re-
Election of the stars that shone in the
clear vault above.
Or, at least. so it appeared to the two
delinquents who had silently stolen away
from the noisy jewellers and in silence
wandered up the beach. their figures cast
ing vague shadows in the pale moonlight
The tide was ebbing out TO sea and the
waves broke on the bar with Sob
bing, sibilant swish-swish that added TO
the weird romance of the scene
The girl turned and surveyed the in
creasing space that separated them from
the hotel. and gave utterance TO deep
sigh.
For the first time in weeks she had elud-
ed the cat-like vigilance of her duenna-
1t had taken much thought and careful
Inaneuvering, and she purposed making
the most of her hard earned liberty.
The young man awakened from the rapt
contemplation of the piquat profile at his
side and broke into speech.
You sigh; are you not happy?'
Yes; only" giving backward glance
at the despised hosiery, lit did seem
so heartless of me to leave auntie. and"
with a little helpless gesture and timid
dropping of the eyes, we are so-dont
you think?-so-so dreadfully alone"
Poor little frightened bird" murmur-
ed her companion, softly. Surely you are
not afraid-with me to protect you?
"Oh, no; THAT is-you don't under
stand"
But 1 do understand one fact gently
possessing himself of the Cnresisting
hand that lay on his arm, land that is,
love your
Mr.. Browne. this is SO unexpected
'Ah, but I must tell you now, sweet
heart, even though it comes as great
surprise 10 you. In these weeks we have
been together you have grown dearer 10
me than life, and tonight l feel that
cannot let you go until 1 unburden my
heart. Tell me, dearest; am l entirely
Indifferent to you?"
They had paused during this impassion-
ed outburst and now the girl stood with
bent head. her face revealing-well. who
knows woman's thoughts at sucn
time?
She made no response. but pushed
pebble about with the toe of an admirably
slippered foot.
Poor little frightened bird" repeated
the woer. Sweetheart, you need not tell
me in words-darling. If you love me and
will consent to be mine throw your arms
about my neck, and / shall know. VIII
you, dear?"
He stood before her. gazing down with
pleading eyes Still she remained mute,
nor made a move. Again he begged.
IL cannot" she whispered.
Cannot he exclaimed, drawing back.
Then. you do not love me; you have
been trifing-playing with me-coquette!
But 1t shall never be said that 1 have
been made the butt of woman's wiies.
No, no; you have led me on all these
weeks; made me your slave to trample
on at your pleasure: and now"
Don't, don't" implored the now fran
tic girl you are cruel-unjust-
"Oh. yes; cruel because have held the
mirror up to you and revealed your per-
fidious conduct in all it's wretched heart
lessness.''
mo, no; you will not see.'' she sob
bed. 'It is not that
He strobe to her side.
Then, there is some one else?'
mo. no; not that, either"
Then, If there is none other and you
do care for me, throw your arms about
my neck-give me that proof Of your
love"
"Oh, I cannot, I cannot" she walled.
tears streaming from her beautiful eyes.
VERY We'll Miss Grandin. 1t was not
much that I asked, but it meant the
world TO me. Your insistent refusal Is
evidence conclusive that you do not
care
"Oh, will You not understand? Must
you force the miserable truth from me?
I-I-cannot raise my arms in these new
tight sleeves
And the tide still ebbed out to sea: the
waves broke on the bar with a sibilant,
sobbing swish-swish that added to the
weird romance of the scene.-May Isabel
Fisk, n. Y. Herald.