The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-06


little freckled face, he remembered, al
ways beamed with pleasure from the
depth of her bonnet when she saw MIN,
and Tony, with a rich oil well back Of
her, and foreign travel, private tutors.
Paris gowns, might in time become like
other people; but here the laughing
blue eyes arose through the smoke
wreaths to mock him. He drew the diff
ference between this lovely creature.
the finished product of care and cultva-
ton, and little Mexican What's-Her-
Name slipping her chinela on and on
at the heel as she talked to him. Still,
Tony was a good little thing; she was
slim and straight, and if she could be
induced not to tog herself out in such
outlandish colors she might be almost
pretty, he unused. Then he stopped
short and laughed at himself, derisive-
~ What could it matter to him wheth-
er she We're pretty or not?
Tony was waiting for him the next
time his trap clattered down the dusty
road She had that confiding manner
that is SO f1attering to man who
knows the weakness of his strength.
Johnson, she told him, had raised his
offer for the whole tract several thou
sand, rocky, unproductive acres Lam
bert groaned- He had to have it, there
was no choice; SO, with the figure of
Johnson's offer staring him in the face,
the prospect of bankruptcy pursuing
him from behind, and the only means
OF obtaining the prospective millions
walking close beside him. Blue Eyes
was forgotten. and he did it.
1t was quickly said. Then he kissed
her blushing cheeks and the coveted
land was his-and Tony He had dis
creetly refrained from saying anything
more about her property after hearing
JohnSon's offer. so she did not know he
cared anything about it, and there was
not doubt as to his sincerity in her
simple little heart.
TC17r
met when he went back to the hotel He
made strained effort to be affable,
and Lambert, who could afford now to
be generous, pitied him for the disap-
pointment in store for him, and tried
to Guido him in forced friendliness.
They walked up to the bar like two old
friends, and Lambert proposed a toast
to Success. Each man drank deep
to himself, eying the other commiserat-
ingly for the shock he was about to re-
ceive.
Tony was undeniably good little
thing, although Lambert regarded her
merely as his means of escape from in
solvency, and his only feeling for her
was vague sort of gratitude. She bored
MIN by the abJect devotion she lavished
upon him. Once, however, it had really
touched him, when she had said: Tor
you there is nothing in the world
would not gladly sacrifice"
But he had only said: Eyes, yes,
that's a good girl, but you shouldn't
wear bright pink. 1t is not becoming"
Lambert's success went to his head,
and made him long to throw his arms
around the neck Of the whole world and
treat He spent money with princely
layiShneSS, and Johnson came in for all
his share. And Tony too was happy;
she went about with suppressed nnirtn-
secret source of happiness nobody but
herself knew-which, indeed, was the
case.
And 50 they We're married. The little
bride was decked, not in Shimmering
white, but in all the gaudy coIors her
primitive soul loved A gorgeous yellow
gown with variegated furbelows and
red slippers. Lambert wondered if she
would slip them on and off a the heel
during the ceremony. But nothing
could ruff1e his serenity; he looked his
animated rainbow over in good natured
amusement-she would soon be wearing
Paris gowns, her tawdry fnery left be-
hind
As soon as he could bring the subject
up he said, as if he had not thought it
all out weeks before:
IF you would rather deed this ranch
over to me to save you the trouble of
looking after it, I suppose could at
tend to it. You know you are of age
now and can do as you like"
But Tony the glow of bride still in her
heart from the conscious success of her
wedding gown, looked up and answered
sWeetly: Did not tell you there was
no sacrifice would not gladly make for
you?"
'What2" cried Lambert-''what are
you saying2"
7 could not think of letting you be
ashamed of my clothes among all your
fine friends, SO I have made a surprise
for you" She glanced up archly, ex-
pecting the appropriation her surprise
deserved. Il know you don't care for
the money, because you are SO rich your
self
What are you saying? Are you
crazy? Say quick what you have
done?" shrieked the happy BRIDE
groom"
why, sold my ranch to Mr.. John
SON. she explained, while her eyes
widened in childlike wonder. THAT
cleared off the mortgage and bought
all my beautiful wedding clothes, and,
OH have got trunks full of the sweet
est things!"