The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-03


She had had an older brother killed in
the war
CATER all, the Fourth dates farther
back than Miss Marlowe's memory, F"
said Miss Anderson aside to Dalton,
while Waterman was engaging Mrs
Marlowe in talk
''All the same it is a question of pa
triotism, and 1 call that as gallant a
charge for ones native land as I ever
heard of. I'm going to order some fire.
works down myself, telegraph for them
tonight, :" said Dalton
Miss Anderson, seeing the men had
gone over to the enemy, gave up the di-
rect attack and said she adored fire.
works and always did think patriotism
was lovely.
Laura came back, pale, but composed
and very quiet Waterman helped out
the situation by proposing that they all
take a stroll down to the beach and see
the moon come up. That move helped
every one and himself in particular, for
he was burning with an inexplicable
desire to pay the tribute of his admira-
ton to Laura at once He walked with
her, and as the others passed out of ear
shot ne began telling her how deeply
what she had said had moved him, and
how women's hearts were the true con-
SENATORS of patriotism and everything
else worth talking about, all with equal
eloquence and incoherence.
Then Laura had another perfectly
natural moment. She sat down on a
rock and looked at him as the first rays
Of the big moon fell on them.
i
she said plaintively. 81 feel as if had
burned my ships behind me, and 1 wish
hadn't. don't see how can be old
enough to remember all that. -
Waterman had to clinch his hands to
keep from picking her up in his arms
then and there-she was SO pretty and
so dear and silly. He knew now what
was the matter with him-he was in
love. He sat down close by her and
caught her hands and told her so.
81 never was so grateful to any one
for making love TO me before in my
life. " That was Laura's first answer to
his declaration, given with an odd little
laugh and with sweet eyes looking into
his. Her last words that night, as he
stood with her alone at her door, were:
tits very queer to try to call you
Jim; but, jim, : never should have sur
rendered if I hadn't had that feeling
that my ships were ablaze behind me
and the other women were laughing at
me. This is kind of answer for them.
Yes, yes, don t make noise. You know
always liked you, and I had to love
you when you came out so strong just
at this time; but, Jim, wasn't 10 years
old when the war closed. -
Jim had all the data for knowing she
was 16, and ne was bewildered for a
minute that she should bother further
with the subject. Then he recognized it
as the most characteristic touch imagi-
nable and found it charming.
The engagement was announced the
next day, and from that day to this the
Fourth is treated by Mr.. and Mrs. Wa
terman as a matter for personal rejoic-
ing. But Mrs. Waterman still wells the
number Of their joint celebrations in
mystery, although every one remembers,
of course, just when they were married,
and although she can't resist educating
her Oldest boy IN military lore with
tales of war times they have again be-
come secondhand tales-things she has
heard from others. - She has never sur
rendered completely on her chronology