The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-29


Roy Gilbert was a handsome man Of
thirty-fve, had money. no one knew
how much, but was considered by the
men TO be fine all-sround fellow
The women-well the women thought
he was just a darling until ne was
SO taken up with Miss Everdale that
all the others could get from him was
an occasional chat, or a smiling good
night or good morning.
And now something had happened
more than they had ever dreamed,
and although they knew that none of
them could ever have Gilbert, they
were glad to know it was equally inn
possible for Miss Everdale to do so.
So they anxiously waited to see how
she would bear up under the informa-
ton. nor had they any desire to break
it to her gently.
Their time had come; for everyone
was now returning from the supper
room, a nd, with the others. came the
pair they were waiting for.
Roy Gilbert's handsome head was
bending low over Miss Everdale's,
and the earuestness of his manner.
and the lovelight in his eyes spoke
palmer to the waiting group than any
words could have done.
As he turned to leave her to go into
the smoking room he passed his arm
around her waist and drew her close
to him for an instant.
The indignation of the waiting.
watching group could hardly be sup
pressed.
Miss Everdale came slowly up the
veranda alone and as she drew near
the group Of women turned to them
with smile on her happy face.
Isn't this a fine EVENING"
she SAID, addressing them
all, but they simply drew
themselves up and looked at her with
Miss Everdale,'' said the volunteer
informer, 1--WE wish to speak with you
a moment" and, without waiting for
any reply went on:
What we are about to commune
cate to you we know to be the truth,
and can prove it to be such. Your
friend, Mr. Gilbert, has a wife,
They all stood breathless, looking
at her, expecting to see her either
grow angry and deny it or to flush
with confusion and shame, but she
did neither She did not even change
color, but the smile deepened in the
dark eyes as she said quietly:
''Oh, yes, indeed, l know he has; he
has been speaking to me of her. He
expects her here before the season is
out I hope we shall all like herl
She was a fortunate woman to be-
come the wife of such a man as Mr..
Gilbert"
The smile faded from her face and
she gazed out to sea She either did
not or pretended not, TO see the varied
expressions on the faces before her,
and, after a few commonplace re-
marks, turned away.
After she was out of hearing Miss
Weston exclaimed:
Ibid you ever see such a bold,
brazen-faced thing in all your life?"
The next day the couple were the
talk of the whole place, but it did not
seem to disturb them any. The fir
tation still went on, and the real love
making was more open and apparent
Now and again the men would joke
Gilbert about his wife's coming and
finding him out. but he always an
swered them good naturally.
They all liked Gilbert and the wo-
men, although they called him a mon
ster behind his back, were always
ready to chat with him. To Miss
Everdale they were more than cold,
and always looked upon her as some
thing to be stunned.
Such was the state of affairs. when
one morning the hotel carriage came
to the door and took away Miss Ever
dale, bag and baggage. What could
it mean? All day long was her de-
parture the subject of speculation,
but in the evening the mystery was
solved
Mr.. Gilbert came into the parlor
with an open letter in his hand. and
said:
Il have just received letter from
my wife. She says she will be with
me tomorrow evening, as it is the
tenth anniversary of our marriage,
and wherever we are we always plan
to spend that day together. I shall
be pleased to have her meet my
friends and will bring her down here
to meet you to- morrow evening""
Good nature was at once restored.
and all Mr. Gilbert's former sins were
at once forgiven. The next evening
the whole party dressed for the oc-
casion, assembled in the drawing
room. They were chatting, moving
about, wondering what the new
conner would be like. sounding Mr..
Gilbert's praises and kindness, when
the door opened and a servant an
nOunced Mr.. and Mrs Roy Gilbert
The servant moved aside, and Mr.
Gilbert entered the room. and on his
arm was-Miss Everdale.
He bowed to them and said:
Let me introduce you to my wife
this is the tenth anniversary of our
marriage. You should remember my
friends that appearances are often
deceitfuL"
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