The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-16

He was watching her very closely,
and she wished her color were more
under her control.
She laughed as naturally as she cou4-
L would have married you out of re-
venge, she said.
'Wen''-in a tone of relief-''all things
considered it is much better that you
answered as you did.
Infinitely so,'' she replied, with per-
haps too much emphasis And she
watched him afterward as he walked
away from the house, straight and tall.
He is too good for AIilly Danvers,"
she said with a little strangled sigh
Come out on the balcony" she said;
1T is so stuffy inside"
you look tired" he said. as she
threw herself into a chair.
Il am tired she cried; tired of ev
erything: of the eternal treadmill.
Surely -passiona tely-"one was made
for something better than all this
Have you only just found that out %
slowly.
"Only just, and 1 have had ten years
of it, and yet-and yeti expect I shall
come up again next season and do the
round just the same.
Perhaps things will have changed
then-perhaps you will be married
.Never''-restlessly. ST shall never
marry
What have become of the four who
wanted to marry your"
'They have gone. thank Heaven!"
He looked at her intently-
Il wonder if ever during your life"
he said, you will regret any of the
men you have refused and wish-you
had answered differently
She laughed mirthlessly.
THAT would be a lust retribution for
my sins, you Think" she said.
I don't suppose that retribution
would follow A man who loved you
once would probably love you always"
She laughed again.
L am afraid you know little of hu-
man nature, she said. Men only too
soon console themselves. There is ian
instance of that close at hand Look at
yourself,''
L have not consoled myself''-quietly.
She looked away from him.
How is Milly Danvers?' she asked.
'Milly is very happy. She is just en-
gagged
Her eyes looked even darker in con-
trast to the white face she turned to
him. But her voice was quite firm.
Accept my congratulations" she
said.
You are very kind, butt don't see
why 1 am to be congratulated
''Naturally''-in a co1orless. even voice
Miss Danvers' engagement implies
yours too
1T does not he said a little whim
sically. You see you were right was
not old enough for Milly-her fiance is
ten years my senior"
am so sorry IOf your Q1SdppOlAl-
ment,' she said gently
"A little help is worth a world of
pity meaningly.
"And how can I help your
by taking the disappointment
away
He leaned over the flowers on the bal
ustrade that he could look the better
into her face.
IT am tired of the treadmi1l. too' he
said Don't you think we might bear
life better if we faced it together?"
She clasped and unclasped her hands
nervously.
Il did not mean to arouse your COM
passion again. she said with a sob in
her voice.
You have never aroused anything in
my heart but-love-''
You said I was old and passe-"
"Ah, didn't you see that I was act
ing?"
He took her two restless little hands
in his.
Dear he said. my love has sur
vived the WEAKNESS and silence of ten
long years-won't you trust me now?"
Her dark eyes were shining through a
mist of tears.
'.I was afraid was afraid" she
cried. that you had gone away from
me for ever and until I had lost you
never knew how / love vOu-hOw I