The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-24

However, he decided that his proposal
would keep until the following sun
day, when Leach would have gone Yes,
it would keep; Miss Kings GOODNESS to
Mr.. Leach was quite noticeable Mr.
Macintyre's proposal would certainly
keep.
While Mr.. Macintyre was enjoying a
solitude deux with Miss King in the
drawing room, Zimmerman and Tom
were discussing the days play in the
billiard room-Tom full of misery and
apologies; Bannerman,in his big heart
ed way. philosophic and sympathetic
We'll, I must get" said the captain,
at length. Good night, Tom; cheer up,
old man.
You're good sort, Ban. Good night .
said Tom drearily.
Mr.. Macintyre having taken his de-
parture, Bannerman found Maud alone,
looking a little flushed and pretending
to read a nOyal
Il must run away said the captain.
I'm playing at Edgbaston tomorrow,
and that means catching a train before
breakfast"
I'm so sorry you lost today said
Maud, giving him a slim white hand,
and I am very cross with Tom
The three We're all good friends. Re
tanning her hand in his best paternaI
fashion, Bannerman said, Then don't
be cross with Tom any longer. He's
awfully depressed about it, and his arm
His armi" cried Maud all woman
now.
yes; he bumped it on the rails when
he brought off that big catch yester-
day"
oh" said Maud, It must''-
Yes, do; and don't be too cross with
him." and so old Ban went out of the
room and the house, and made 175 for
his county against Warwickshire on
the following day.
When he had gone Maud stole into
the hall. Her father was writing let
tiers in the study. All was silent. Maud
stood hesitatingly on the threshold of
the billiard room. For some reason
though she had pretended otherwise
she felt glad that Tom hadn't particu-
iarly distinguished himself in the var
sity match. She had been getting a lit
tie tired of late of hearing his praises
sung. 1t had been very nice at first
of course, having a Blue dancing at
tendance upon her but the novelty of
it had worn off, 50 she had not followed
the ups and downs of the match with
much enthusiasm. She now found her
self actually admitting that there were
other things about Tom that she liked
better than his cricket He hadn't the
keen professional Wit of Mr. Macintyre,
but he possessed a good deal of fresh,
ingenious, healthy humor that Maud
found very Entertaining He had SEEM
ed to have lost a. little Of this humOr re-
may have been because he was in
Yes, and he was as sincere as daylight
and manly as a man could be.
I'VE shall have to be engaged long
time. but I shan't mind that murmur-
ed Maud. opening the billiard room
door
Tom started up.
Miss King!"
Maud expIained-seating herself on
the arm of his easy chair-that as he
had rudely forgotten to come and say
good night to her, she had been obliged
to come to him. Then, after petulantly
Selling his cigar and throwing it into
the fireplace, she tasted his whisky and
soad.
How can you drink you such stuff"
she cried, putting the glass down hur-
riedly; ''you-a boy!"
Cheers one up said the boy.
And now show me your arm. Wait,
till I get some Gilman.
Returning shortly with the embroca-
ton, she made Tom take his coat off,
whereupon she unfastened his cuff link
and rolled up his shirt-sleeve. Then she
anointed the blue swelling Tom
couldn't trust himself to utter his
thanks, and she knew it.
Pulling the sleeve down, she readjus-
ted the cuff link, helped him on with
his coat, and told him to sit down in
his easy chair again.
I'll allow you another half hour"
she said, getting him a fresh cigar.
"Here-here's match There! aren't
you very much obliged to me?"
Tom was so much obliged that he
had to drop his cigar and grope for it.
Just as he found it Maud switched off
tn electric light, gave Tom a kiss, and
had fed before Tom had half realized
the absolutely intoxicating unexpected
ness of the whole thing, don't you
knoWl