The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-12
HER OWN LOVER.

E18a beth LlaQnln8 watched MARX " ar
ren until he waslo to her view. Then she
left the shrubbery where they had been
walking together and slowly crossed the
lawn to the houss-
How happy she was and how beautffu1
the world It was 50 good to be alivei
The June air, fragrant with the scent Of
roses and honeysuckls, seemed throbbEng
with JOY.
How her friends would wonder when
they learned that she was going % marry
a poor man, q struggling artist They
had always affirmed that she, because she
had shown 50 much indifference 70 ehe
many suitors which her beauty and wealth
attracted, was waiting to make some great
grand marriage; but, happily. shB was her
own mistress and free to choose as she
wished She loved Marx Warren and
would marry him And, although the de-
cisiVe words had not been spoken, she
knew vel the avowal that had been trem-
bling on his lips so often
When he had protested against being
sent away that morning, she had babe him
come this evening" and from the ex-
preston Of his eyes she knew what words
he would speak.
All, she was so happy
A maid met her at the door and handed
her q little parcel, saying, From Miss
Arden
Miss Claiming opened It.
e'Oh, the menu cards ordered But
they are not all hers- She was to have
painted two dozen -
The boy who brought them, Miss Eliz-
abeth. said that Miss Arden is sick, - an
swered the maid
ssIndeedt I'm sorry. That is the rea-
son I have not seen her for SO long, poor
little grill Have them bring the carriage
around, Jane. viii drive into the city
and see her Tell Aunt Mary when she
comes ~, nor n avr-nst 1rruoraor.
All along the way down town Miss
Claiming felt quite remOrseful that Of
late she had been SO absorbed in her new
happiness that she had not given her
usual attention 70 this little protegee Of
hers But she would make amends Some
Of her overbounding JOY should overflow
into kindness to others.
She found Ruth Arden in her poor lit
tie room, pale and wan, fsebly trying to
finish painting the remaining cards
Elizabeth was startled as she saw the
great circles under the dark eyes and the
lines around the mouth
Ny dear Ruth, what is the natter
81 have lot been well, - with an attempts
to smile.
why have you not sent for mes'' asked
Miss Claiming reproachfuliy-
There was an expression in the young
artists face and an abandonment in her
manner that struck Elizabeth with sur
bright, happy little worker.
The girl, after receiving her visitor, had
sunk Hstlessly back into her chair, hut
did not resume her painting. Miss Chan
ming drew her seat near to her and took
her hand
Ruth, what is its There IS something
more than not well. Have yoR any
trouble, childg'
The girl burst into tears.
Oh, Miss Claiming am so missrabls
can't beas it
What is it, Ruth9'' putting her arms
around the slight form
The girl yielded to the gentle, persua-
sive voice and poured out her trouble-ths
old story Of a young girls love and the
mans carslessness Of it
Il love him so, she sobbed 'sHe was
every thing to me, and now he's leaving
me for this beautiful rich woman; an so
poor and obscure
Elizabeth let her cry on for some time,
and then, soothing her into calm, drew
from her the whole story
She had met him at the art school
where they we're both students, and had
loved him They had been much eoEesher.
Their affection had not been avowed. but
she knew he had loved her and would have
continued faithful II he had not met this
other. She had noticed the change in
him and had heard that he was often n
the company OF this beauty and belle
whom be had met at an art reception.
Some paintings of his had won favorable
notice from the critics and that had led to
his being engaged 10 paint the portraits Of
some wealthy people. At first he had
been e. poor and unnoticed as she- He
had continued his visits 60 Ruth until the
last few weeks
''Oh, Miss Claiming, had only him,
and she has eyeryrhingi Why should she
take him from mef''
Who is she, Ruths"
Il don't know. have never heard her
TAKE courage, child Perhaps It il all
a mistake
''Oh. Miss Claiming, If only Mark were
not to see her again I know he ia only
dazzled BY her Pm sure he loves me, r.
" hat is his namef'' Elizabeth's voice
was husky.
MARX Warren. -
The hand with which Miss Claiming
had been smoothing Ruth's hair fell to hez
side and she moved away as If struck
Marx Warreni Her own loveri The
man whom she was expecting that even
ing TO promise to marry
A tumult Of emotion swept over her
First a feeling Of utter misery, then one Of
contempt and disgust for this man, fol-
lowed BY a great wave OF indignation and
pity for the forloEn figure at her side.
She arose hastily Her resolve was taken
She would no longer be the cause of IN
happiness to this poor child. No doubt
later she herself would suffer, but now shs
would only think Of Ruth The latter
was lying back in her chair e1haustedly.
Elizabeth laid her hand on her shoulder.
Don't cry any more, Ruth. It viii all
come right; I am sure OF it. He VIII come
back to you. and when be does receive him
IS usual Do not rsproach him nor men
ton the other woman 20 hin. 7 am leav-
ing for New York tonight Jane viii
have my address When you are happy
again. write TO me -
And, STOPPING. she kissed the girls cheek
AID was gone