The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-03

ed. I think it is
] perfectly horrid for parents to ar
range their chiIdren's futures in that
cold blooded way. Don't you Anita2"
And pretty Bessie Burton drew her
slim figure up to its full height, and
tried to look stern
Anita West glanced up. from her
lace work. and smiled de preea tingly.
But, Bessie, it was all done, no
doubt, with the kindest intentions
Your father and mother meant it for
the best I am sure of that And no
doubt it will all come right in time
You viii learn to love Gerald Keith"
''Neverl Why, 'Nita, he is nothing
but a dude. He is the most eff eminate
of men, His hands are white and
soft-so is his head fancy; but I
viii confess 1 know very little con-
corning his intellectual qualities, as I
have only met him twice since we
were children You see, he has been
at college for years, then he travelled
all over Europe and Asia, and re-
manned from home for a long, long
time I was at school and only re-
turned last month-all finished, and
turned out upon cold world Nitas
/ have an idea-an awful idea. dear
that if I were to meet Gerald Keith
again, should hate him.
s'BessI''
81 can't help It'll Why, he is as gen
tie and effeminate in his ways as a
woman. Now. the man I love-if I
ever learn to love any man-must be
braveI A real hero-not afraid of
anything. One who will distinguish
himself in some way-by a brave,
heroic action Not the sort of man
that Gerald Keith suggests; a deli
cate, tender blossom, upon whom the
chill winds of adversely must not
blow. To imagine those dainty white
hands occupied with mental labor.
would be the height of absurdity-
Mono; Mia, my dear-the man I
marry must be brave-in short, a
heroi 1 could never give my love to
any other. So, stand a chance Of
being lone. lorn female to the last
day of my life" She broke of with a
sweet outburst of laughter
The two friends were seated upon a
v1ne-covered veranda at the old fash
Toned home of Bessie Burton; and as
the musical laugh rang out upon the
air, a tall figure arose from a rustic
seat not far away, and slowly APP
preached the house. The figure of a
man, attired in the very latest fashion
He was extremely handsome in a
rather efTemlnate way, and his hands
were Enthusiastically white. He looked
like one who had never been forced
to come in contact with toll, or the
hard grind of business. He lifted his
hat with a courtly bow.
Il beg your pardon. ladies'" he be-
gan at once, Il have been waiting for
some time for Mr.. Burton. 1 arrived
about an hour ago, and he asked me
towait for him here; oh, there he is
coming at last!'' as a portly figure in a
white linen suit suddenly emerged
into view Bessie's father.
s'Wait moment Mr. Burton cried /
gavly- Il wish to repair my omis-
sion Girls, I forgot to tell you that
a guest had arrived at the Burton
place. Gerald, this is my daughter
Bessie, Mss An ia West, her best
friend Girls, this is an old friend
Gerald Keith-just returned from
foreign parts, and anxious to renew
old acquainta
For just moment Bessie felt as if
she would like to sink out of sight.
To use her own words: "You might
have knocked her down with a
feather" She glanced helplessly in
Anita's direction; but that damsel
was busily engaged in studying the
sky which stretched out blue and