The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-05-01

tin is not the man to let his ward marry
! out of pique, and undue persuasion, and
| be miserable ever afterwards. But to
make, assurance doubly sure. l shall en-
gage another divine. and have carriage
standing in the alley back of the house
Your maid is undoubtedly devoted to you
and will see that your traps are placed
in the right vehicle, so if nothing more
favorable happens We will be on the safe
side. After marriage L viii be whatever
you want me to be, and if not prepared,
will read UP on the matter at once
He ended his long speech, which the
girl had listened to in Silence, and she
did not say any of those things which
some of my lady readers will affirm that
she ought to have said. but only replied:
Il will wait, and be guided by you,
dear"
His countenance became radiant. 1t
kindled as does the east on the approach
of the rising sun. And she? She threw
off that haggard look as one would a
cloak; was younger by at least a year,
and. if possible, became more radiantly
beautiful. At this juncture, footsteps
crunched on the gravel walk below, and
the lovers resumed their seats. Mrs.
Brandon came out as the newcomer
mounted the broad steps Robert Pages
face was in the shadow so John Wes-
tervelt did not notice him when he bowed
TO Mrs. Brandon, and then endeavored to
greet the daughter in a warmer fashion;
but that young woman made her escape
into the house, and her mother checked
the young mans confusion by an intro
duction. They were old acquaintances,
had belonged to the same gymnastic club.
when, six years before, Robert Page was
a stOck-keeper in a local wholesale house
and Westervelt a cotton sampler, en-
pIoyed by the firm which he now repre-
scented.
How do you do. bridegroom elect;
let me condole with you on your coming
misfortunes, said Robert, as he strobe
into view and grasped the others hand,
smiling sweetly the while.
. Before his rival could master his nat
ural slowness of repartee, he laughed
quietly at the Englishmans visible signs
of offended dignity, eXclaiming. You
must simply refrain from treating me
as company, John. for you know how 1
hate to stand on form
We'll, old chap" the other replied,
pomping his words out with great labor.
I'm in a deuce of a fix You saw what
happened just now
And, then as if struck by a new idea,
he caught Pages arm. and leading him
aside, said in an arugmentative tone:
See here. old man, I've been taken up
here lately SO much by business-and-
1nd''-'loVe" pompted the westerner;
and love" said his companion, ignoring
The interruption, I've failed to get .
license. don't you know. Now, old chap.
can't you get a license and give it to
Bishop Pottin?"
Nothing would suit me BETTER came |
he reply. This love business is con-
agious; wouldn't be surprised if 1 do |
some marrying on my own account"
With that. excusing himself to the lady |
Who had been curiously watching the !
wo. he flung down the steps, pausing |
1t the foot long enough to flash back |
,ver his shoulder, IN be back soon
He then hurried down the street and |
secured license which, by the way. read
Robert Page and Irene Brandon. on his
Brandon with the remark: -Since you are
determined to leave US. preferring the
bishops company to ours. please hand
his to him. 1 dare say John will sec
md the request" he added.
The Englishman tartly did so. He did
ot like the others rather breezy man
er of handling his affairs. and was rash
nough to vent his feelings in disagree
BILE mutterings.
What's wrong, John?" said the west
rner. bursting out into a laugh so hearty
nd infectious that the ladies laughed
With him.
why, look here" retorted the Eng
shman zone would think you were to
e married. not me, judging the high
eaded manner in which yoH handle
hingS.''
Maybe I am; maybe | am; but on the
We of the wedding is no time to quarrel.
cts he friends. and, as I see. Mss Irene
about to leave for the bishops, you
nd l will talk over old times" At the
anne time he gave the young lady a
moving look which said you'd better
urry," and she did. At first the bishop
as obdurate; but after his god-daugh-
n had explained how she had always
wed Robert Page, and him only; how.
hen in "A spirit of jealousy she had
led to make him jealous, and that high
irung man had left for parts unknown.
nd when. at last urgeN by her father.
al given her consent to Westervelt's
nit. hoping Page would see the an
Ouncemcnts in the papers and thus be
finished. that young man had appeared
n the scene and how she would be mis-
-able. her life wretched. if she married
le other The bishop was greatly
oved by this recital The frank con-
,ss.on. the deep feeling. the unreasonable
'asoninss of the girl, coupled with her
reat personal charm, and the old mans
ltherly love Tor her now won him over;
I'd, at an unguarded moment, she Sc
lred his promise that he would never ,
AIRY her to Westervelt; and. could it be
)ne without violence, would mite the I
vers in the holy bonds OF matrimony.
hen it was she showed him the license.
I'd the names it contained. At first the ,
shop was for throwing up Che whole
after. He even suggested plausible ,
. to send word that he was indisposed, :
unable to officiate the following day. :
ut here Miss Brandon revealed reason
Z powers greatly at variance with those ,
lie had recently confessed. The bishop !
entuaHy consented TO come. but with I
e distinct understanding that. under !
condition would he be the party to
~ violence.
The following evening the Brandon par
RS presented brilliant scene. II lacked
II half an hour Of the appointed time
the ceremony. Page was present; as
er cool and collected, even jocose. q