The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-06
LOVE WAS THE BEST.

but the lamps were not vet lighted, and
the young women in the picturesque hats
clustered around the little tea table as
closely as their huge sleeves and iimi5able
skirts allowed
They had discussed the reigning tenor,
touched delcately on the last scandal and
were now busy with Jack Rodney's name
and money. A decision of the court had
given his Inheritance to another heir, and
then he had gone into Wall street and been
caught on the wrong side Of the market.
81 can't picture it, - said Sally Little
john, balancing her little gold spoon.
'iWhat will become of hin2 The spoiled
darlingi Why, he VIII have to go to
work.
Work. said Julia Montressor with
those aristocratic handsf What sort of
workg Way, what viii he do2''
THE only thing he can do-stop liv-
ing"
ooh, Babl How horrid Of you'll Jack
Rodney. the dear, splendid fellow Has
any one seen himf I wonder what he is
doing no1vf'' said sally
Walking on his uppers, don't they call
its'' said Bah.
Every one else was letting viii de Luys
reap what he sowed, but Jack made good
all the isappropriation-isn't that the
next term? And if it was Jack S yacht
that went cruising up the Mediterranean
and had princes on board for guests it was
his steamer that took those children from
Seven alleys down the harbor every after
noon all the hot summer
where is jack Does any one knowP''
said Sally.
Going to Texas, ranching He has
cleared up everything and starts at once,
rome one ssid He'd like it If it were play,
the poor fe1oWF'
.'Oh, it IS really getting darkP' ex-
claimed Arabella- We must be going.
Why. Felicia, how white you arel I should
think you were ready to faint yourself -
1.-THE sudden light, " murmured Felicia
Tt was W lille the last dinner guests that
night were still saying tender nothings TO
Bah that a slender shape slipped swiftly
down the steps and passed along in the
shadow Of the houses like herself Felicia
shrank behind her veil from every passer-
by A half hour S rapid walk, and she ran
up some steps to make sure Of the number,
rang the doorbell said something explain
Rtory to the man who answered it, passed
in and followed him to the door up one
flight Of the broad, low stairway there.
A man sat there with his head bowed
upon his arms as they lay along the table
In an attitude of utter detection. He did
not look up when the door opened and
closed But the girl crossed the room
quickly, and standing behind him stopped
with her arm laid across his shoulder.
81 ana not a dream, Jack, " she said
ing him. ~ am Felicia =
For one moment there were silence and
rapture here. And then the transfer men
came for the luggage.
"And this parcel, too, - said Felicia.
'HehciaP' he exclaimed
This parcel, - she repeated. You know
cannot 50 back after coming here, - she
said when they were alone again. II have
burned my ships behind me.
do you mean it?'' lie exclaimed Joy
ously. And then his tone fell II thought
on, yes, certainly. L must take you home
before my train leaves ."
You viii take me homer Ny home is
with you, Jack. %
you don't know what you say, " he
answered her "Oh, no. L cannot accept
the sacrinoer' the eager CLEAN Of his eyes
belying his words
Jack, she nurmured, the sacrifice
in my coming here unaskedr'
Don't make it SO hard for me 'he ex-
claimed. An hour ago it was the dark
ness Of despair I was going 20 bury my
self in the ranch, as if it were a grave
Now shall 60 out in that new life, radt
ant with the happy knowledge and my
hope. And even if I should never prosper
enough to come for you he said after a
moment, taking a step toward her, IF you
should weary ia the long waiting and give
some other man the love have won-wel,
4
living again in this night Joy. %
'sSome other MANI she exclaimed, IN
clasping his arms and looking for the hat
and jacket that had been thrown aside. II
am going with you, Jack If you can live
summer and winter ia a tent ia Texas,
can too I have the dt clothes in that par
eel have my jewels hcre. They were
my mother and are mine and I have the
right to take them, and their price will
hinder my being burden. -
1t was year after that Felicia sat one
night in the refulgent moonlight of the
high prairie after q day Of heat tempered
BY the high gulf breeze over 300 miles Of
flowers.
tAre you sorry Gamer" she said
care yous''
do you know, it seems to me precisely
as II We were living on an outskirt of the
Holy Land, with focks and herds, and the
fig and pomegranate and the tender grape
giving q good smell?' she said
Arc you sure you never regret2' he
asked.
ffRegreti Well, confess should like
TO have heard BAD read out our marriage
notice at brea kfast-and Bah 50 bitter the
day before for fear Of it'll But regret those
days Of uttleness and idleness and gossip,
the conhning clothes and cramping life -
"I-I-niss my father, - she said, and
her lip quivered-
'But even. she said presently, eff he
never forgives us or comes to SEQ us, and if
poor Bah should never come down here and
learn what it is to live, I shall be sure,
my dear. that love is best. ''--Louisville
COHrier-J ournsL
Heated Glass.