The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-10

in your eyes if I left her to heart break
ing anxiety" be said somewhat dis
painfully. You would think me
finer man if I went out and was slain
and took from her her last comfort
slain to support an idea which does
not particularly appeal to me. 1 think
1 am patriotic, but my patriotism is
not the sort that is stirred at the sound
of a drum. 1t is deeper when my coun-
try is at honorable peace
And what if it were a shameful
peace2'
Then I would wish to see it broken.
Then 1 would help to break it. But it
would be a frightful tragedy. And if
battlefields are as hideOus as they are
said to be, I do not know how I could
look at one and keep my reason
We'll" said Nan, turning away, the
hot tears of honest shame in her eyes.
81 suppose you cannot help it. You are
as you are. But 1 would rather see you
going away to a certain death than to
think of you as a coward
The White-haired old lady on the We
randa arose and waved her handker-
chief
'sThat is the signal that breakfast is
ready, Nan. Won't you come in?
Mother will expect you
mo, thank you. I don't feel like eat
ing. My heart is heavy, Curtis. I'm
afraid we have made a mistake. fear
We'll never agree. It's best to find it
out now, you know
Curtis White took the soft cap from
his head and crushed it viciously in his
hands.
you are hurting me horribly" he
cried. How can you humiliate me so?'
Pm sorry. hut speak honestly"
after Office hours this AFTERNOON I
am coming around to take you riding.
That new span of horses from O'RelPs
farm has been sent in, you know. L
told YOU about them. They are a per-
feet match You'll ride behind them
with me this afternoon, won't you2
When 1 got them I thought only of the
pleasure 1 would have in driving with
you"
Eyes, come. I must talk with you.
Curtis. [ think am going to tell you
something that viii sadden both of us"
"You are going to tell me that you
TO longer love mel" he calculated be-
tween closed teeth. leaning over the
gate to look into her averted eyes.
II think I am going to tell you that
am sorry that love you, and to ask
you to forget that we ever made any
| promise"
H. interrupted her with an angry ex-
! clan2ation. Then, controlling himself.
he said briefly:
Il shall call for you this afternoon"
And, assisting her on her wheel, he
strobe up the path to his house
By late afternoon Nan had decided
| that there was no doubt about the mis-
/ take She could never be proud with
| a temperamental coward. She could
not approve Of anyone with such pa
cilic pusilianimous character. He
might apologize for it all he pleased
| he talked well. But his talking made
no record of heroic deeds. Such life
as the one he proposed leading would
not enrich the annals of a family
The restless roans kicked up the dust
of the summer road, and Nan could not
refuse a glance of admiration at them
as she came slowly down the path to
! the carriage that afternoon. She had
| dressed herself soberIy for her ride, and
her glowing auburn hair and flushed
cheeks were the only vivid things. about
her Her costume was black, severe,
but like all she wore, with distinctive
style of its own
'Ivn have to ask you to get in the