The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-01
DAMARIS yANE.

you see in me to make you so certain that
you cannot live without me? That's all
nonsense, you know
Don't ask me to analyze my feelings, :"
he answered, bending a little forward.
81 only know that love you can't tell
you the why or wherefore. -
Il don t profess to have any heart, - she
replied slowly. II have never cared for
any one, nor am ever likely to be wildly
in love. like you-I don t attempt to
deny that-but liking and loving are very
different, I believe. Then-no, don't in
terrupt mel dirt--I can t help it. I am
too fond of myself ever to be what people
call in love 1t must be a most firing and
depressing process I should think. As I
told you before have no heart
''Now, look here, . said the man. rising
from his seat and speaking earnestly. IF
you don t care for me much, at least you
don't care for anybody else, SO why not
take me? I am content to put up with a
lukewarm liking 1t is better than nothing,
at all events. .
Damaris. Vane considered a few minutes
her fan to her lips.
Very WELL she said at last, with a
sigh. But you must clearly understand
that there is one thing could never put
up with, and that is jealous husband.
Now, am sure you would be very jeal-
GUS
''Try me- he exclaimed. ST swear
will never be jealous
Swearing is no good. I want proof. F"
''Well, let me prove it to you.
"That is just what 1 want you to DO.
Now, listen: I am staying on here for a
little over week and what I suggest is
that for that time we shall both of us be
at liberty, and shall take advantage of it
by flirting with the first interesting man
can find. You, of course, must not inter
fere, for you will have no opportunity to
do so. For your part, you may retaliate
by making love to anybody, or everybody
il you prefer that, 1 shan't object, can
assure you
Every WELL he said despondently. 81
suppose I must agree to that.
"Of course you must, - she returned,
laughing. 1T is a most sensible arrange
ment. This day week meet me here about
this time ard I viii see if feel inclined
to consent to a regular engagement. I
think it will be most amusing
She glided off into some small talk, oc-
casiOnally casting q glance at Hunt to see
what he was doing. He looked a little dis
consolately round him for second or two,
and then drifted into chair beside MolIie
Bentinck, pretty faced little girl of IS.
Matters were much the same the next
day, when there was a large riding party
to some distant ruin. Hunt rode with
Mollie Bentinck, who showed a wild de-
sire to cling to her horses mane and
whose hair promptly came down, owing
to her incessant humping.
1t must have been kindness and nothing
else on Miss Vane's part that made her
stop as she was cantering past, managing
her lively mount to perfection, to inquire
if Mollie was frightened.
6 Because if so, you had better go home"
she said. Il am sure Mr.. Hunt will be
pleased to take you back"
Delighted, 1 am sure, - said that gen
tleman. 'FIn fact, to put it selishly,
should prefer going home. It's awfully
hot for riding
1t was rather aggravating when they all
came in hot and tired after the ride to find
Cyril and Moliie stroIling about the gar
den looking provokingly cool and fresh.
''Oh, we quite enjoyed ourselves!'' said
the latter in reply to her hostess inquiry.
1--WE ate straw berries and sat under the
big tree in the garden, and MIR. Hunt read
poetry to me. "
Damaris gave a groan as she departed to
take off her habit.
''Poor Cyril! That he should ever descend
to reading poetry to a schoolgirl she said
commiseratingIy. ''How glad he viii be
when the week is endedl''
1t was with q curious feeling that Da-
maris found herself w6 ing under the
trees at the end of the " k, having dis
missed Howard In search of a shawl she
never had.
HE is sure to come" she kept on re-
peating to herself. Il must give him long
enough. He is sure to come"
Which showed how very little chance
she really thought there was of Cyril turn
ing up.
AT last, just as she was giving up hope,
a man S figure came across the lawn, and
she saw, with feeling of thankfulness,
that it was the one she was waiting for.
Il thought you were never coming" she
said, starting forward.
I hardly thought you would expect me
~ crO fh4G4sQb the form Hf Coming. - h6
answered gravely. ''You have shown me
clearly enough that all is over between u.s.
mo, indeed, F" she answered hastily. 1T
is a mistake. r.
"stopF' he said. 81 must tell you that
it is all quite over between US. Adollie Ben
timex accepted me few hours ago. You
know we were both of US to be quite free J"
IAN is indeed over Damaris replied
quietly. Il hope you viii be happy"
Il hope So Mollie is, at any rate, no
woman of the world to play with men s
hearts you do.
Don't be meIodramatic. At any rate,
you have shown me that have done yours
no harm. Mollie is a nice girl I hope
she will be all you wish for. .
IT think SO. And you, I suppose, will
marry Howard. -
Il suppose So" she said as she moved
into the shadow, leaving Hunt to cross the
moOnlit lawn alone.
Left alone in the darkness Damaris stood
motionless. Footsteps came across the
lawn, and her hostess appeared.
My dear Damaris, aren't you coming
IMP No one knew where you were. SUCH
excitement Captain Howard has to leave
tomorrow morning, and we are all bewail
ing his departure. Come and bewail it
too. He has to go to Ireland to join his
dancee.''
Ills fanceeI But didn't know he
was engaged" And Damaris came for
ward.
Neither did any of us, - was the serene
reply. 1T seems that they have been en-