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

at O'Clock of the afternoon every week
day, partook of a dish of tea and Joined
her IN a game Of tric-trac. On the stroke
OF 5:50 the Sray mare was led around the
portico and Sir Peter jogged gently back
TO his solitary home. Eaci. Sunday he
made his appearance at OgIe Hall an hour
earlier; but the gray mare had her Sab
bath rest and more ancient puadrped his
weekly outing to convey Sir Peter to the
repast amibahty to himself, the parson
ami his lady.
Every quarter-day he went over in state
TO pay her the rent of certain woods.
hired for his coverts GOr traditions sake
merely; Sir Peter, over and above all
things scholar and dilettante, cared little
for shooting and less for the chase) at
tired Is became the seasons and bringing
the offering Of al appropriate posy Sir
Peter would then propose marriage to
Lady Barbara, who had been for ten wears
the object Of his declared affections, for
ten previous that OF his secret ardors.
Every quarteT-Gay Lardy Barbara was
overcome by surprise, shed a few tears
scolded a little. smiled a little gave him
determined refusal and her hand to kiss
when last I died (and dear. / die
often from the I go).
! can remember yet that l
Something did say. and something did
bestow,"
The singing words of old Donne might
have ben penned 10 fit the case.
They parted better friends than ever,
but if the gentleman rode home at q slow
pace. his fine old head sunk sadly on his
breast. it might be observed that the lady,
On the other hand, went about the house
all the evening even more briskly than
ever; that she shifted complacentiy at a
posy in her handkerchief and was un-
wontedly lenient to the maids.
Lady Barbara was awidow. Squire Ogle
had left her no children, but a comfort
able estate, which she managed with pru-
dence. energy and enjoyment
Lady Barbara was fair; she was plump;
she was-quite 80. Sir Peters name was
very old, so vas his house He was lean
and melancholy, fond of the poets and
indeed all of his library (Which smelt
good Of old leathers) was brown and dimly
f1eclIed with gold, with an air of russell
antique dignity. ana which he uncons-
cioUsly matched very we'll in his brown
suit and dim gilt buttons. His estate
touched the Ogle boundaries. He had
sufficient competence to feel that with a
proper pride he might aspire to the hand
of his rich and fair neghbor. He was a
plain bachelor and he loved but her.
Upon a certain HIichaelmas Sir Peter
might have been seen ambulating his
neglected garden in search of the quar-
terly posy His russell suit had been care
fully brushed, his ample locks, all sivered
already though they We're. had been on
the contrary most handsomely powdered.
His heart fluttered as he picked his nose
gay, autumn blossoms. as fragrant yet
and tender, ifwith as little hold on life.
as his own delicate passion.
There was a bloom as OF the purple on
the grape as of the gold on the apple.
over the land as he rode along the ia
miliar road. The mild air was full of the
tart SAVIOR of the fading leaf the sweet
ness of the boarded stack. The yellow
sunlight lay very gently upon the world.
He found Lady Barbara on tne garden
terrace: twas her favorite seat in fitting
weather. But even before he had had
time to make his first bow. before he could
lift his hand to offer the posy-and this
demanded an exquisite flourish, for it
should indicate his heart before reaching
her taperfingers-he perceived that some |
thing unusual had happened. Lady Bar
bara was Mustered. There was wonder /
full grandeur Of silk and brocaGe about
her. of fine gophered muslin and delicate
lace.
For one unreasonable instant his old
heart gave UP lean. Was this Michael
mas Day to be the day Of all days to him
ST last? But the next moment he told him
self with sorry humor that he was but
the appropriate goose. His uplifted hand
fell stinIy by his side Alas, Elderly
lover though he was. he had all the in
tultious OF the devoted heart. Not he had
anything TO say to the unwonted flower
Ing Of his beloved's attire to the unwonted
rose upon her fine, smooth cheek. She had
no thought for him today, nay. he was
not even sure that he was welcome.
La" she cried. Sir Peter" CNhere /
lass that wench with the tay0 ~ fine
AFTERNOON. Sir Peter. ! fear YOU must |
excuse me from our game today. ! am
expecting visitor
Excepting a visitor? Not have their /
tric-trac, Such untoward occurrences had (
Interrupted their eNistonces but once these /
ten years. When Lady Barbara had the I.
Influenza was the first and only time.
Sir Peter slipped the noseEay to his left /
hand. while he pulled a little bag from his I
waistcoat pocket with the right 1t was (
his pleasure To represent his debt to the I.
lady every quarter in form cf sold pieces T.
enclosed in charming little rctirulc
Of colored taffcta. constructed for him ny /.
his housekeeper and tied with "a gold 7.
thread These dainty receptacles. after +.
being duly ompticd of their prosaic con- .
tents Lady Barbara was Oivon to I'll with /.
laverdar and to dispose about her cup +.
boards and presses. There We're moot yet I.
enough for every drawer anr perhaps
SAat was the reason she still refused Sir .
Peter.
Usually he took poetic pleasure in the 4
discharsing Of his obligations. but this +.
afternoon the furry of her air in which +
ne had no share. the lesance that put I
him at such distance, troubled him. lie /
drew forth the little bag and held IT out +
without aword Twas Of purple silk. en- 4
broidered in silver roses. It had appeared .
to him vastly tasteful but an hour ago. 4
What's that?' she cried. looking ~ il I
as it lay in the pale hollow Of his treu2b- !
lins hand.
My ceht." he said gravely; he that had .
generally 80 apt quotation t. lead up 70 4
his own most poetic declaration.
'What. cried she. sharply. tbs never .
puarter-day il l had not clean forgot +
ten"
The fact is, Sir Peter have been quite f.
upset. The rb to tbosytt sh-dluestaoi f.
upset. vow the weDches have forgotten .
ne tay. bct they are rrodiSioUs busy.
Twas crlira 1lr1Nnacted Nou must want F.