The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-02
A CONFESSION.

mind?''
ut would be a reflection upon the
mind, - said she severely.
turned over the leaves doubtfully and
shook my head. 1.-THE questions are ter
ribly searching. Why, I should have to
confess enough to hang me!''
why not if you deserve hanging? I
dare say you do, you know - hadn't
looked at it like that
'Ye-es, but I'm not in hurry"
Il am. :" She opened the book and laid
out the blotting pad. "You see, your
confession IN very important. 1 haven't
been able to get really bad and depraved
character previously" 1 groaned. First
you write your name-here.' - She came
and stood beside me and pointed over my
shoulder. So I subscribed myself hers to
command. Now your age
''What does that matter?'
''It shows how much wisdom may be
expected"
''Thirty-one then, if must
CHOW you must answer the questions
What is the thought uppermost in your
mind?''
eff any?"
GA mind said she positively, "is as
sumed. What is the thought uppermost
in it at the present moment? That is the
question"
Your pleasant company
ooh, whatever will people think?''
That I've got one answer right" I
leaned back triumphantly in my chair.
She laughed and shook her head. at
won't have perjury in my dear little book.
Now, you must be quite serious, please
This is a very important question. Is life
worth living? Mol You are not to write
till you have told me the answer"
g At the present mOment-yes.
"You must answer generally-for al
ways"
I'm the present company-yes.
"You are not to mention me. I won't
have ii" She nodded her head decisively.
Then my Inspirations gone.' I laid
down the pen.
HPlease!'' took it up again.
eff the liver works. VIII that doP''
at ism t original, - she objected. -Four
people have written it already
81 know, - said I, Selling the book and
writing rapidly. "It depends on the an
swer to another question, when I ask it."
"That's altogether too vague
''Shan I make it more explicit?'' I
looked right at her, and she turned prettily
pink.
There's no room for any more,'' said
she hastily "Now, you turn over. You
have lot more questions to answer
Then I committed myself to the state
ments that my favorite author was Shake
speare (she wouldn't hear of Kipling) my
favorite composer Wagner (Which wasn't
true), my favOrite drink beer (Which was,
and various other important facts.
''That's very nice, - she said approving
ly when had recorded that my motto was
''PIuck for luok'' and my favorite recrea-
ton reading sermons.
''Now for your aesthetic tastes. Your
favorite colors?''
''Blue in eyes and brown in hair;
Whatever color my lady wearl
"ShaIl I add, gray at PRESENT. - I in
hat hat. o1o
wearing.
Il don't know what color your lady
wears. didn't know you had "a lady "
There is one I should like to have"
"But that isn't the question" she said
quickly.
"But it's going to be-
''Never mind. Go on. Your favorite
name?'
Edith, of course" That is her name,
you know.
You're making game
''Indeed I'm not"
'Oh, but you arel And you mustn't.
Now, your favorite qualities in woman?
Seriously, mind. really want to know"
Yours, announced decidedly. She
hastily removed the ink pot.
81 won't have any more nonsense"
F'You told mo to put down the truth. 3"
ST shall have to tear it all out"
"Wen,' - sighed, I'm put something
0lS63 Dub IL WON D6 81 OIuO GoAS AO-
leased the ink. ''All, - wrote.
''Your favorite proverb?"
GIANT heart never won fair lady. I'll
try not to be faint hearted. -
'The addition was quite unnecessary"
she commented severely. Every one
knows you are dreadfully forward
''The next question is a poser, " re-
marked. IF not yourself, who would you
be?'
"Some great hero or writer or paint
er?'' she suggested, looking over my shout
der. Her hair just brushed me, and that
made my mind up.
''I'm not so ambitious as that. :"
''WelI, put down whatever you wish, so
long as it's something nice. 3"
''She-it-is very nice"
"But it muslin t be anything silly"
"Umi I'm afraid perhaps what
want
''Want to be-"
fTo have"
ooh. mol That's not the question at
all
fBut suppose that my ambition is to
possess soInething-or sOmebo"-
"That ism t the point, " she interrupted.
do answer properly"
II know. Whomever you liked best.
You will make me smudge the book,
demonstrated as she attempted to snatch it
away.
EVERY one will laugh at you
81 don't mind" 1 nibbled the pen
holder thoughtfuIly. "Is marriage fail
ureY What am I to say to that?"
''Well-er-you don't know.
81 might say III try"
'Yes-er-but''-
with some ones assistance?" She
blushed furiously. do you know, Edith,
it's very difficult question to answer
alone?'' She toyed with her handkerchief
Perhaps you'd better skip it, - she ad-
vised.
Z don't want to skip it, answered
firmly, laying down the pen. "What 1