The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-22


arms. to expand his lungs. Have you
ever seen him take great breaths ana
stretch his arms as though he We're row
ing?"
I have often seen him" Lady Susan
looked conscience-stricken through her
tears. Y did not know 1 was hamper
ing him, Alison.
He chose you before the active life.
nave no doubt that you are thousand
times the dearer If you could have
made him Jealous, Susan, he would have
ceased to love YOU
The color surged into Lady Susan's
cheeks
ITO think of my follyl" she said.
Think of little Algy beside Lacy
Miss Leith WINGED imperceptibly-
MI Stratton was too good for such
purpose" she said. You don't know
how his mother talks of him."
A little later there was timid knock
room.
May 7 come in. Lacy?" asked his
wife's voice.
May you come in. darling? Are you
not as welcome as the flowers in May?
You can stay, little woman; I'm not go
ing to do any more tonight. And that
reminds me. You don't come as usual
You like talking poetry with Stratton
better Yet I've missed you felt a
sort OF d-scomfort all the time even
now you're in it that it was your empty
chair
Lady Susan laughed out.
II shan't be empty any more. AS for
with you all the time"
Then why didn't you come? I'm sure
I've wanted to have you all the time"
Lacy" said Lady Susan, with her eyes
ooWn-her' husband was sitting now on
the arm of her chair and had slipped his
own great arm about her pale-gold head
IF you'd like to go travelling where
there is nothing but machinery and rail-
| dG
take up that work for the rajah, I'm
quite ready to co.
Are you. little woman?' said Lacy
Greville, gratefully. You're no end of
trump; but l think shall stay here all
the same. I'm going to take a partner
ship in firm of electrical engineers in
the city I'm an uneasy dog. 1 ought to
be satisfied with the loveliest wife in the
world, but I'm built for work Can't help
it, little woman"
And now to let down poor A1gy cas-
n.y. said Lady Susan to herself plying
Algy from the wealth of her own happi-
ness. How lucky Alison is herel Alison
Will help me with him. 1 must do it
gradually
But, somewhat to Lady Susan's NORTH
cation, Algy took his shunting with the
most cheerful philosophy. Indeed,
| friendship sprang up between him and
Alison Leith which was quite unlike any
| thing Algy had ever known before in his
relations with women.
Il wonder how a man ever fancies him
self in love with a woman who has no
brains he said to Miss Leith, about two
months after Lady Susan had let him
down easily.
They were walking in his mothers old
garden, between rows of sweet peas and
stocks.
Alison Leith looked with the most cur
ious fondness at his handsome head. She
was quite conscious that her feeling for
Algy did not include the strongest in
tellectual sympathy ;but Algy was no fool,
and she had found out the great sweet
ness of character that had been overlaid
for most people by his old foppish, fir
tatious ways.
Beauty is great gift, too she said
with little sigh
You are the most beautiful woman in
the world, Alison, 'asaid Algy, and there
| was perfect sincerity in his voice. IF
weren't a poor devil and you a rich
Suddenly. with an indescribably lovely
gesture, Alison opened her arms to him;
it was motherhood and wifehood and
lovers love all in one.
Il don't deserve it. Alison; don't de-
serve it, Algy said, after a while I've
gone after false gods while you were in
the world. I've been a fool and an ape,
| and
1.-THE dearest son in the world. your
mother says said Alison, with tears in
her eyes. Come and tell her; it will make
her so happy
There have always been reservations in
the friendship between Lady Susan
Greville and Mrs. Algy Stratton.
How readily he got over it, says
Lady Susan
ITO think of her using him as a stalk
ing-horse to provoke Lacy's jealousy
says Mrs. Stratton-g IF she had been in
love with him I cosld have forgiven her -
Tacoma Ledger.