The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-08
The Adjusting Of Things.
IFrom The Tatler.l

/
of her laugh, borne to him carelessly
on the wind. brought his heart to his
throat.
The carriage of her head was abso-
lutely unchanged, her choice of color was
still the same. He realized everything
with a tingling of his nerves, and the
desire to touch even her hand stung
him like a pain.
1T must be quietly DONE" he said
aloud. "She always loathed fuss. 1t
must come about
The band was playing in the distance
People We're crOwding resolutely toward
the tea tents. with their canvases OF
green and white. He was uncertain
what to do.
He lighted a fresh cigar and took
! rapid turn. But smooth things as he
would his thoughts We're swinging.
After ALL" he said suddenly. "a man
can't wait to lose his chance because
away. he strobe on to the path down
| which he had watched her pass
The nearest tent was in full sight
when he caught her up He slackened
his steps, He saw her stand and indf-
cate seat: he saw the man beside her
nod and turn away. and in imagination
he heard the lingering tones of her
voice and saw her smile of dismissal.
He had known them both hundred
times.
Memory was rampant; and sitting
fear and hope and even possibilities he
went forward to his fate.
She was drawing unreal patterns on
the path with the tip of her parasol. and
seemed engroSsed. 1t was not till his
shadow crossed her own that she raised
her eyes.
JOAN" he said. Then he stopped.
After four years few men make a strik-
ing start.
She lifted her head. and the color fed
across her cheeks. leaving them pale.
| JOAN" he said again.
Bya little accident her parasol slipped
In the moment of his STOPPING she re-
| HnUpra6 haT- ma oil IoIo yh1v, he
raised his head her smile was calm.
Peter" she said. And the word
seemed to carry everything and to i'm
ply everything that was most fit.
He realized in a flash that she was
perfected and improved. He felt that
she had learned the knack of things.
Peter" she said. land after all this
age of time
How exactl" She blushed again and
raised her hand. touching her cheek.
Am I very-very prehistoric. Peter?"
He studied her. an a sense" he said,
perhaps
We'll, some women make history, you
know" He looked fxedly at the bed
| of mignonette by his foot
She glanced up, but even to her ac-
complished eyes there was nothing to
We'll" she said, what have you to
tell me? The world is bigger to you
now than it used to be-"
And to you?'
"Oh. I find it smaller. Everything is
concentrated so; even ourselves. Nobody
is uncommon now, because nobody has
time. But we have still to shake hands
Welcome back to England" She held
you get social? You used to run from
garden parties and things What in the
world brought you here?''
He took the extended hand, holding it
IN = &c
slowly, that was ALL
Her smile trembled little but she
corrected the indiscretion with a laugh.
What isn't chance? Even ones
clothes hang on the mood of ones
dressmaker. Am I smarter, Peter, than
I used to be?''
She stood back and he looked at her
with considering eyes. From her slim
neck to the swing of her skirt she was
worthy of being seen.
Wonderful" he said quietly. "And
it's still always black?"
She raised her eyebrows for a mo-
ment. why, yes she said, of course"
They were silent for space. and she
moved uneasily. With them the time
for silence had gone by and had not yet
come back.
Now" she said. '1et me see what eli
mate has done for YOU She looked
him up and down. You're thinner. you
know, and scorched; but you're improv-
ed. Peter; decidedly improved
IduSneQ. joan, ne broke in,
tons to ask: there's a better seat than
this surely. Shall we search?"
But I've sent Mr. Playfair for my
tea. I couldn't be so unkind''
Don't worry about that There are
always women to drink other women
tea. Beside, we have debts of four years
to settle. Come along"
She looked uD at him and-it might
have been the sun. but he could have
sworn that there was greater bril-
lance in her eyes.
Her lips parted in half-given consent
Then across the lawn came a CHEEKY
voice: so awfuily sorry. but the crush
in the tent was ungodly; and-awfuIly
sorry a-ain, but all the walnut cakes
are gone. I brought a cream scone
Please say twill do"
Carstairs smiled. He knew the look in
Joan's eyes. What he had yet to learn
was the suavity with which she smiled
so good of YOU she said. But let
|, me introduce you two. Charlie, this is
} Mr.; Carstairs-quite my oldest friend -
Carstairs nodded. Sorry, Joan,'' he
said abruptly, but 1 think must be
off,
"Oh, Peter. how horrid of your She
J paused. But you'll look me up. Come
! round tomorrow in the afternoon and
warded him for many things He took
her hand.
Tomorrow, then. But remember I've
been buried alive and one doesn't keep
an address book in the grave"
She laughed. How stupid of me-"
she said You scribble while I say Or
! better still believe I've got a card
Charlie. hold my cup
She drew out a small gold case and
handed Carstairs card. "A permit to
paradise she said. Don't forget
He slipped it into his letter case and
took her hand.
Good by he said gently.
Good by
Interesting beggar.'' said Playfair
J after a three minutes wait
She looked up for moment. 1.-THE
Z only interesting man I've ever known -