The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-23

They strolled away and stood on the
veranda, leaning against a parapet that
overlooked the high road, and they
talked now and then just as such peo-
ple do talk
Presently brisk footsteps sounded out
side coming toward them.
They stopped their desultory badi-
mage to listen.
There was something unusual about
the footsteps; they were neither the
half-hearted tread of the Anglo-Indian
nor the stealthy movement of the ma
tive.
Obviously, therefore, it was a stranger
who approached.
Here's some chap in a hurry" spec
ulated the subaltern, indolently Must
be the doctor come late"
His companion was not interested.
perhaps because the doctors wife had
lately called on her. and, armed with
some glaring home truths had given
her mauvafs quart dheure. In three
minutes more the doctor" had sprung
up the steps and stood facing the couple.
only it wasn't the doctor. but tall
young man with impulsive, innocent
eyes, and dressed In travelling costume.
Il beg your pardon" he began, lifting
his hat, Il an only just out from Eng
land, or should say italy, by an earlier
boat than I was expected or 1 shouldn't
be intruding like this
He made an apologize gesture toward
his dusty garments. "Could you tell me
If Mrs. Mainwaring is here? They told
me at her bungalow should find her at
the ball. SO imagine she is chaperoning
some one Perhps you'll be kind enough
to take her message. I'm afraid my
wire miscarried.'
He spoke eagerly, he looked eager. In
his excitement and because they stood
party in the shadow. he did not notice
the varying expressions that passed over
his listeners face.
The man gaped at him with open
mouth, and the artificial thing at his
side put UP one hand to her heart be-
cuse the jewels there had begun to leap
up and down.
Pm sorry to disturb you, and to be
with boyish smile, abutaIh his III im m1e
eyes shone-"Mrs. Mainwaring happens to
be my mother" taias! for the pride he put
SINCE I was a., little chap-so couldn't
ering giddily. now shot up into a sudden
radiance, and as it did so the subaltern
who had turned matters over in his
clouded mind and arrived at the right con-
clusion, burst into laugh-a loud, unnat-
ural laugh. The situation tickled his fancy;
F1ossie and her dutiful son! The idea was
screamingly funny. He pushed forward
bold ta5i and half-scared. looked into the he
strangers eyes with her own, and in look
ing she saw in them the soul Of the
For once her frivolous speech forsook
her, and her heart within her was cold and
heavy.
So mother and son stood there face to
face for few seconds, and in those few
seconds one of them cast his youth and
illusions away forever and became all at
once grave and old and responsible
| At last he sighed-a weary, elderly sigh
do you mean-is this" there was a note
of entreaty in his voice)-'.is this-Mrs.
MainWaring?''
And turning from enc 20 the other he
read the answer for himself The subal-
tern ceased to laugh: he felt, somehow,
mean and small. and realized with irrita-
| ton that he was cad He.strolled away
As for the stranger. he looked once with
a wild and unutterable longing Tar ont
| into the still, Eastern night. away toward
| the railway station he had SO lately left.
Then, because he was man and gem
tfeman. he thrust the temptation aside-
| He stepped forward and took the doll 3
| shaking hand gently in his
| Mother" he said softly. I've come to
| take you home"