The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-09
SWEET ALLEGES CHILD


at allP' cried Major Ashley between the
whiffs of cigar.
"Give me the girl of 20 years ago-wom-
anly, modest and pure. The girl of today
Is masculine. -
Charley Bolton laughed heartily. "Look
here, major, - he said, ''I'u bet you any
thing you like that you will end by marry
ing new woman.
81 shall never marry at all, Charley, my
boy. have cared for but one woman in
my life, and do not think ever shall an
other. -
Charley rose and went over to the MAJORS
side.
Forgive me- he said, ''I am afraid
have recalled some painful memory in you1
life -
sit down, lad, and I will tell It was
10 years ago when first met Alice Dare.
She was IS and very beautiful. I fell in
love at first sight. She used to manage
to steal out in the dusk of the evenings &c
meet me, her cheeks all aglow with blush.
es One evening she came, not with hen
usual quick, light step, but slowly and
sadly, her beautiful eyes full of unshed
tears.
''' Oh, Eric she Whispered, shaking
like an aspen, you and are to be sepa-
rated My parents are forcing me into
hateful marriage with q man whom alb
hor. believe my father is in debt, and
unless I consent to be his wife my parents
will be ruined and homeless.
g 1t is a cruel sacrifice she said, yet it
must be made. I cannot see my parents
ruined. 1 must save them
We parted, both broken hearted. new
er saw her again. Two years later news
came to me Of her death. She died, leaving
a child, a girl II months old. have never
loved any woman in all those years. /
don't think 1 ever shall "
''Just the day for spin, - said Eric Ash
ley to himself as he mounted his bicycle.
The major had not slept well the previ
GUS night. 1t was scarcely O'Clock, and
the air was glorious. The major had rid
den about six miles when he saw ap-
preaching him another machine
As it came nearer he could see that its
rider was a shabby, dirty looking man,
with steel blue eyes At a second glance
Eric observed that it was a lady's.
Five minutes later, on turning a bend
in the road, there, upon the ground, with
her arms extended, lay young girl Hen
face was deathly pale, and dark blue
mark shone out upon her forehead with
CHASTITY vividness.
She was attired in cycling costume OF
dark cloth, and little peak cap lay few
yards distant
1t was the face of his dead love.
He stopped and pressed passionate kisses
upon the pale lips. Presently the girls
eyelids qUivered.
my head, - she breathed family. "The
pain is terrible. 5" Then suddenly remem-
bering she cried wildly: ''That man, where
IS he? oh, pray don't leave mel I am SO
frightened -
STOPPING, he lifted the small form in his
strong arms and ten minutes later the in
habitants of the next village were sur
prised to see gentleman riding bicycle
in his shirt sleeves stop at the doctors
door.
"And to think that sweet girl is my
Alices child, Charley, my boy,'' cried the
major, land should be residing close to
me for two years with her father, and I
not know it.
''She is a little darling went on the
major, with her mothers angel face and
charming ways"
"Poor little thingP' cried Charley. 81
say, major, why don't you marry her, eh9
But, perhaps, major, you have great OBJ
lection to marrying new woman"
''Jessie is not a new woman cried
the major. ''She certainly does ride bicy-
Gle, but in everything else she is womanly,
modest and sweet.
At 3 clock that afternoon Eric present
ed himself at the house OF the girl he loved
He found her leaning back in a large, coy
cnair, with an open book upon her lap.
81 am 50 glad to see you, major, " she
said in her simple, unaffected way. 81 was
feeling most dreadfully dull. Papa has
gone to the races. I don't think am very
bright. My head aches good DEAL, she
replied
Poor little head! I am so sorry. If you
had been well enough, Miss Jessie, should
have asked you to have given me your ad-
vice upon very important matter -
My advice, Major Ashley? I am afraid
it would not be worth taking"
''Oh indeed it wOuldP' cried Eric.
''Then please tell me all about this i'm
portant business. / feel quite curious
she said.
''Well, - he said little neFvously, ''the
truth is am in love with a young lady,
but 1 am not certain about her affection
for me, and should like you to tell me
whether you really think it is possible for
a girl of Is to love man of 4O.'
eff were a man and loved a girl,
should go straight to her. That is the only
advice I can give you, major. "
''Then I viii, - said Eric, springing up
and seating himself on the couch beside
her. Jessie it is you whom I love. Win
you be my wife?'
Jessie did not seem at all surprised, for
she put her two little hands upon his
sleeve
II knew it was I you meant all the
while, =" she said, blushing. you silly
felloWP'-London News.