The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-09

and unrolling a sheet of music she held
in her hand.
something. pulled the last page OF the
Tin Geegee' out of my pocket and
handed 1t to her.
7 think that is your property I said.
The scarlet of her cheeks faded, and
she stared a me with wide open eyes.
Where did you find it?'' she asked.
4 will tell you that later On. First Of
all, Melinda, do you think you have
treated me Well2''
Il couldn't help it, she murmured.
You know it wasn't me-"
Perhaps not 1 said. HAt any rate,
you can not deny that you have broken
your promise, and, for anything you
know to the contrary, ruined my life
Il did it for the sake of The Others
most inaudible
II don't believe it You have never
thought of any one but yourself all your
life It's no good coming the neble. self
sacrificing motive over me, Melinda be-
cause it won't wash. You have thrown
me over for Leonard, party because he
had a lot of money to buy you expen-
sive dresses and diamonds and things,
and could give you big house. with a
lot Of servants to boss over, and partly
because you always are influenced by
the person who is nearest to you.
ought to have known you We're as weak
as water. You have made a jolly mess
of a mans life, and yet you can be per-
fectly happy and comfortable"
a
more unhappy girl than me- she said.
laughed. That's all nonsense. You
are as pleased as you can be because
two men are making themselves miser-
able about you. I don't know why we
do-you certainly are not worth it.
wish to heaven you weren't SO con-
fcundly prettyi"
This encouraged Melinda to try the
smile.
so you still think me pretty, do
you? she said softly.
Pretty I groaned inwardly for I
knew that, however plainly I saw Me-
midas faults, and however Disguised I
was with her behavior there was no
installing the fact that I was more II
love with her than ever. Pretty
taken. There is only one man miserable
about me, and that IS you Leonard isn't
Iaisera pie, He is very happy. as indeed he
Yes SAD grimlly. he ought indeedl
Poor MelindaI the thunderbolt had
fallen at last.
Y ou-you--'' she gasped-''you are 60
Yes said. l, T am, unless,
any chance
''Unless'-I- spoke very slowly-'.unless
you break off the engagement and marry
Melinda 9.4aI,9 "a gaaspea;Y ed 49,, -.
Dro3.,.o Ia, she cried, you are MAD!
s5s d sand. trying Shler to aH speak spls with
want to marry YOU now that I have
spite of everything 1 care for you more
than anything in the world and l mean
to have you in the end.
Melinda laughed defantly. and rose to
go This IS too much she said You
am engaged to Leonard. You are per.
fectly ridiculous! I have promised to
PROMISES" said I. ARE easily broken"
Melinda laughed again. This promise
will be kept, she said. Good heavenst
marry after all the trouble I had
about it beforei lou are certainly mad.
You had a situation then with small
salary, while now-you are simply doing
noInlng: Wnat 90 you propose to do to
sAs you say said T. nothing"
All! said Melinda, I thought so. No,
piness IS bread and cheese and Kisses. ana
not even q certainty about that, you are
I smiled. There might. be a doubt
about the bread and cheese 1 said,
said, you are perfectly ridiculousl -
Leonard if you like. He won't believe
you you have no proof
Leonard viii believe me- replied
6 Ga ply lie mas kno low me as long as
at least am to be trusted Besides. you
have forgotten one little thing, or perhaps
the last letter you wrote to me-the letter
breaking off our engagement. That was
not among the others; carry it about
with me. And another thing
Leonard has some pretty distinct notions
is Isnscrupu1ous enough to rife q 1 NJ ~:
desk. That sheet OF music found in my
roon-vy1th Mrs Leach as WITNESSES
AID then Melinda saw that the game
was up. She sank into the corner of the
s I;lI s soIa ana began TO cry; ana, as
mood but this one 1 sat down beside her
and slipped my arm around her waist
is certainly up, but there's no reason why
a full knowledge of each others cards.
There was no answer but a sob. I tried
to see her face. but it was buried in the
you know, Melinda I said gravely,
show much / have always cared for you.
You know that If you don't have me my
whole life is ruined made up my mind
to be generous last night and burn all
your letters, and when got in and found |
that you had taken them 1 registered a
vow that for the future 4 would play for
marry Leonard Crewe-tbat sWaarf
will. but I can and will prevent YOUR de- |
eeiying him. You don't play fair. Me-
Melinda moved a little. I could see one
eye and a little pink ear.
think, She said; But, oh. John do so
hate being poori'
Il believe you like me better than Leon
arT l af ssF, AL said smiling a little
evidently considering.
..feli me the truth for once per-
for?'
Still no answer.
Melinda -
There was a choking sound from the /
cushion 1t couldn't be that she /
was 1aughingi
1T is nothing to laugh aty 7 said,
sternly.
Il wish you weren't poor" whispered !
Melinda
I took the lite white hand and touched |
4 am going sf to lake et this Of ms. said.
Melinda sighed deeply. but made no OBJ /
lection; 50 gently slipped it away from |
her finger.
Il am not poor" said. Il have plenty
of money for both of u.s. The South Afrf- Il
can railways We're a success after all. and n
think can even go 50 far diamond i
ring. Melinda"
Then at last she raised her head and |
once more her irresistible smile YVES for l