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


about five and twenty, who was staying
in the house; in the other was a dark,
rather stout middle aged woman. She
was talking while she stirred her tea
slowly.
eyes, Edith, you really must meet Mr..
Everleigh. Ny husband says he is staying
with the Norths at the Sycamores, and
that is only three miles of, so he can east
ly come to dinner. We will have him on
Thursday
cit is very kind of you, Lady Elder, to
wish me to meet this Mr.. Everleigh, - said
Edith, with faint smile, land I should
like to, as it would be interesting to sec
any one who has Travelled so much. Be
sides the name seems familiar to me. /
had some friends once who knew some
body of that name, I am sure
The door opened, and the butler an
Gounced:
Mrs. Norton"
She was the wears wife and had plenty
TO say to Lady Elder about parochial mat
tiers, SO Edith Vernon, having finished her
tea, quietly withdrew to her room.
Who was this Mr.. Everleigh, and what
did his name recall to her mind? Then it
all came back to her. a happy time long
ago, when she and her mother lived down
in Somersetshire, at Rose Court.
She was just II, and her mother was
not the invalid she became two years be-
fore her death.
Near Rose Court there was a farmhouse
and an old Miss Milton took it one sum
mer and came accompanied by her neph-
ew, to enjoy the air.
Jack Milton was leaving for coffee plant
ing in Ceylon shortly, but not before he
and his pretty neighbor had become very
great friends. Edith remembered how one
~ I, 4
come round and photographed them as
they made a group outside Rose Court.
She went to her desk and unlocked it
and took out the photograph.
The popularity of her own figure in the
picture was that the head had been cut
out. There was a little round hole left in
the card. Jack had done it before he went
away.
He had asked for the picture, and when
Edith made excuse by saying she wanted
a remembers of Miss Milton he then
begged to be allowed to have part of it. to
which request she gave permission.
Where was the head now, she wondered,
and where was Jack? He used to send her
messages through Miss Milton, and then
that old lady died, and the Vernons left
Rose Court, SO now she did not know
where he was.
Nevertheless she was sure she had heard
either Jack or his aunt some time or an
other mention Mr.. Everleigh, and, if so,
why, there was now a chance of hearing
some news.
That evening Sir John Elder announced
he had met Mr.. Everleigh that day and
had asked him to come up to the Towers
to shoot on Thursday and stay to dinner.
He had accepted, and when the day came
arrived with his gun and Gladstone bag.
There were two officers stationed in the
neighborhood; also young Morton and his
tutor Of the party
She proposed to walk to Lanton, three
miles of, in the afternoon TO do some
shopping. Lady Elder offered her the car
riage, but she declined saying she would
enjoy the walk, as it was a cold, fresh
day. She accordingly set out, did her shop
ping and was returning, wondering much
if Mr.. Everleigh could give her news of
Jack
1t was growing dark when she returned.
The butler told her, on her entrance that
tea was in the library and the gentlemen
had all returned. She had just reached
the door when she saw speok of white at
her feet
knowing Lady Elder was scrupulously
tidy, she stopped to pick it up-only
piece of white card. She turned it over in
her hand-a face, and that face her own
at II years odd Her heart almost stopped
beating. Then the door opened, and Sir
John came out
no tea? Come in. Go and entertain the
young men. Do your duty, my dear. And
with a laugh he passed her, leaving the
door still open.
Come in, Edith, called Lady Elder
from the midst Of group gathered round
the fire.
As she entered the young men rose She
knew three of them and only needed Mr..
Everleigh and the tutor to be introduced
to her.
Miss Vernon, who is staying with
me, - said Lady Elder.
The tutor bowed. Mr.. Everleigb was
putting down his teacup, but turned his
head as Lady Elder spoke.
Somehow Edith felt he was connected
with what she had discOvered-the ques-
ton was in what way? He bowed slight
ly; the room was rather dark; she did
not see his face distinctly. Lady Elder rang
for lights. In the meantime Edith took
seat offered to her by one of her military
friends, who was trying to get up con-
versation with her.
''Have some mullins, dearP'' said Lady
Elder as she stopped to get them from be-
fore the fire and gave them to Mr.. Ever
leigh to hand to her.
He approached with the dish and stood
before her. As he was so standing the
lamps were brought in. She raised her
eyes and saw a face looking down at her
a face she knew, only older than when
they last met. A long gaze and then
why, you're JackI'' she faltered.
'And you re Edithl'' he said.
"And how are you Mr.. EverleighP'' she
asked.
He sat down beside her, still holding
the muffin dish, looking at her all the
while.
"Ahl" and he laughed, because my
godfather, Mr.. Everleigh, left me his pos
sessions on condition I should take his
name. He was cousin of my old aunt's,
you know, and had no near relatives. But
I haven't forgotten you and Rose Court,
though it's SO long ago, and III show you
something"