The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-10
CONQUEST OF JULIA.

Julia Raymond was Dainton's cousin,
md he had Ico.s dangling about her for
month Discouraged at his want of sue
cess he determined to go-avs - from her
He had indiscriminately stuffed his third
portnanteau when letter was brought to
him. 'sGad," ne thought, from Julial
Why can t she leave me alone?" It was a
dainty missive, asking him to dine with
her that night We two together" she
wrote, s'quite to ourselves. Did you say
you were going away today? But that
will not matter; you can go as well to-
morrow
He sat down to think the matter out.
He was determined to leave by the mid
night train. but he saw no particular rea-
son why he should no.. spend Tho evening
with her. Her house lay between him and
the station; there was not much time 10
lose and since she chose to send her invi-
tations ct so ridiculously short a notice he
considered that he might appropriately
take his luggage with him. Accordingly,
at o'clock he chartered cab, which,
loaded with his impcdimenta, went trail
ing heavily OF toward Miss Raymond's
house.
Julia, from an upper window. was as
torished to SEQ Dainton experimenting
the unloading of the cab before her door.
Indeed, she was distinctly angry, and
c,Gno down to. meet him in very high
and offended spirit. His three portnlan-
teaus were pilod together in the hail.
crowned withsa hatbox, few chaotic par
GELS and guncase.
. You sec, j ALA, Dainton said, 81 hayo
come"
You seem to have come to stay
ooh, no. assure you, he said cheer
fully. You see, am half way to the sta
ton here. 1t was really too much bore to
night and SO I brought my baggage
along"
1T was very thoughtful OF YOU" she
said
Very. was astonished at my own dis
cretion.''
She looked at him closely. He was quite
happy and unconccrned apparently, and
Julia anger gave way to disappointment.
She had thought he would not go
"You are really going tonight?'
81 ann really going. In three hours and
half 1 shall be gone.
"And when are you coming back?'
81 really don't know. 1t entirely de-
ponds on circumstances.
"On what circumstanccs?'
fI'm afraid l cannot tell you
''But, my dear cousin, you ought to
know
81 suppose we are oousins-about tenth
cousins, - said Dainton, "but you needn't
make so much of it
She raised her eyebrows. "You have
not answered my question: she said,
'fbut it does not matter. Shall we go in
to dinner?''
The first Lalf hour was rather silent.
Dainton had pleasant feeling of security.
Somehow the thought of his luggage in
the hall solaced him. His game, he con-
sidered was to wait. Certainly Julia's
mood was unusually gentle; he had never
seen her quite so bewitchingly sincere. Al
so he had never felt so much in love with
her before. The situation was one to be
sedulously nurscd
Il hate Partings,' said Julia, even
little, unimportant ones like this
''Do you?' said Dainton. Yes I sup
pose they are rather sad.
" Sad is hardly the word, is it?'
Perhaps not. Would you use a stronger
word?''
az should say they were foolish. =
ooh, no, not foolish Only necessary
"But are they necessary"
MY dear cousin" he said, "you ask
such searching questions. To answer you
in general terms 1 should say yes
G But in this particular instance?' she
asked. She looked at him with a great
purple grape pressed against her lips.
In this particular instance" he an
swered slowly, cit is eminently necessary
her eyes. Dainton was feeling deliciously
confident by this time. He was infinitely
glad that he had come. Julia shot quick,
inqUiring glance at him over the rim Of
her wineglass, slipped and set il down.
81 suppose, she said, THAT for some
people it is the easiest thing in the world
to break q pleasant friendship.
CAS- easy" said Dainton, prompted by
a sudden inspiration, "as to break this -
10 +iaI j. ~
across the middle
oh she cried, chow could you'll You
are practical in your illustrations. 1
cannot match that glass in London
Then l viii match it for you out Of
London
Il bought them last year in Florence"
Then VIII go to Florence"
"Oh you need not trouble, thank you
can find the address,
'sBut should like to be of some service
to you, Julia. COusinship surely admits
Of that, and may as-weu go to Florence
Is anywhere"
You are yory strange, and, if L may
say so, very silly tonight"
You must remember he said ''that
am leaving you"
''You are going entirely of your own
accord
"Of course" he said, eff you wish me
to stay
my dear cousin she began.
mo, not on those terms. If stay you
must forget this cousinship, Julia. have
been very patient, haven t I?''
81 am afraid, y she said, II don't quite
understand.
"Oh, yes he said rising, "you do.
You know I have been patient" He took
her hand. ''This is very pretty hand, :"
he said, ''for q cousinr' She did not seem
to mind his familiarity in The least. Sup
| pose, - he went on, ''that next year we go
to Florence together for long timer" He
! kissed tie hand he held ana had to fight
hard to keep his self possession.
! els this, - she said. ito be considered
proposal?''
Precisely he answered. "Shall it be