The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-03

D
| before even l met my poor Cgle. but there
are things the heart can not forget.
/ Il understand said Sir Peter and clap
1 ped his three-cornered hat oyer his own
/ poor heart.
we want onr ways" said Lady Bar
/ bara, complacent in her "reminiscences.
Il fear he has LED sad. widl life since
he, too, was widowed, bUt-his letter is
vastly fiattering-he writes with great
fenng"
The lady turned coy. Il could read you
phrase or two
She dive with two little white fingers
under her capacious 'kerchief. The letter
was in her bosom. There are things flesh
and blood cannot bear, be it turned of
of sixty.
Madam" said Sir Peter. bowling lower
than ever, "oyu are busy. / will intrude
no longer" He turned and left her and she
raised no sound to call him back.
Thus it did come about that on that
--lchaelmas Day Sir Peter Coverdale did
neither propose to Lady Barbara nor
present his love token.
The following day Sir Peter was fully
determined not to ride over to Ogle Hall
He fingered unwontedly over his dinner
>-ough &c had but a poor appetite: and
when the time drew near for departing
sat himself down before the fire in his
library and opened volume of Jeremy
Taylor as if he menat not to bulge for
a month. But heb adj artfuiIy rememb-
cred TO forget to cOunter-order the mare
and when she came wit stiff prancings
to the door for it was a frosty and ex-
hilaratins afternoon it seemed unreason-
able that he should not at least take
turn in the PARK.
After this no one will be surprised to
hear that it was but shortly after the
usual hour that he trotted under the
granite portico of Lady Barbara's house.
with its spreading shell canopy and the
huted pilasters.
lie was gathering himself together with
a very solemn countenance before dis
mounting. when the door was flung open
and one of the apple-faced footmen ran
out.
Ny lady bid me watch for you, Sir
Peter said he with a grin of cordial wei
come \ very trim little maid seized hold
Of him in the hall.
Ell Ladyship is in the blue parlor."
quoth she, and tripped before him TO the
door.
BODIES not this cheerful hustle i'll for
round darkly as he entered but her lady
ship was alone. \ tea tray Of very agree
able brilliance was laid before the fire.
The urn was missing
One minute" said Lady Barbara. up
lifting taper finger to arrest him and
threupon she poured the bubblng water
into the melon-shaped teapot and the
whole affair was filled with fragrance.
You must want your Bohea this cold
day" said Lady Barbara.
She came forward to greet him and he
saw behind her the tric-trac board tempt
ingly displayed between two armchairs
she is a true woman" said the de-
lected swain to himself. she thinks by
these things to soften the blow" He
looked at her long and tenderIy as he took
her hand. She was changed again since
yesterday. Where was the youthful ex-
uberance of curls and the little fy-away
pink bow that had sat so coquettishly in
the midst of them? Where was the rose
lowered brocade, where the velvet bands
and the diamond buckles. the swelling
Of paniers. the rich torsades
of lace?
Her Incompatible heart mourns over
my grief" he reflected. gently shaking
ms powdered head; then to the fell pre-
sentiment of his forthcoming broke into
some lines for his favorite Dome:
If yet l have not all thy love
Dear, / shall never have it all;
1 can not breathe one other sigh to move.
nor can entreat one other sigh to fall"
It's vastly pretty rhyme, said she.
but Sir Peter, your Bohea will be past
drinking"
Your visitor" he queried; and cup and
saucer ratified in his hand as he took it
from her.
oh said she. airiiy. My Lord Dam
DRY, mean you? He's on his way to Bath
Hot Wells. Is your tay agreeable, Sir
Peter?'
Your Ladyship hintd he might remain"
He did not remain" said Lady Bar
bara.
She sat down with some abruptness in
her armchair and looked with steady eye
past the tremulous, eager figure of her
elderly love out of the window
He did not remain she said firmly.
.
so uncertain was he whether it should be
one Of rapture or of agony.
sit down" said Lady Barbara. sharply.
and drink your cur. man"
Then. with a sudden change Of mind |
her bright. handsome face softcnirg i'm
way. she lcant DOVER to him
and laid her fingers or his wrist
Sir Peter" she said. my kind friend, /
l have ben an Old fool"
Sir Peter was SO startled that he well |
nich dropped the delicate china. His lean
frame shook violently as he first laid the
cup carefully out Of his reach and then (
turned III svrinkled counteance. gray +
with emotion. upon Lady Barbara. Had /
other lips but hers spoken such bias /
rhemy q. q.
Yes said she. noddiBg. AN old fool /
Here have I ben wears ana years dreaming f.
about Cousin Damory and the time when /.
We wore young folks together. forgetting I
that as the years so by other things go /
by. too
"Other things. my most honored fTiend?" /
'Ay, Sir Peter Youth and looks, man. /
-ooks. beauty. charm"
He save groan Of utter repudistior .
and horror and she laughed \ comfort [
able. hearty laugh was hers. even though .
it hlld Just then a little CULVER in it as Of .
tears.
II dew a." said Sir Peter. exceed 4
insly a.itated that the powder flow in +
scented h..sts about his head. 4 deny It, .
absolutely ard totally"
-Alack: I've looked in the mirror. my .
good sir said the lady; and She winked /
s,arnly as she spoke. for theve vas a
In her biz ? Nnys which She VS. /