The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-22

TFrom the Free Lancet
Cranfield holds that the beginning or
his courtship was unique; but that may
be Cranfeld's one-sided view. 1t was
the night of the Hunt ball and he lean
ed against a pillar in the dancing room
At no time dancing man, on TINS oc-
casion he was excessively bored he was
out of sorts: the band was too loud;
the crush was too great. He thought
regretfully of his library fire, and shiv-
eringly of the long drive home.
At the end of the room he saw heads
turned toward the door. Following
very human impulse, he turned his own
in the same direction. He was inquisi-
tive, but the desire to know is quite as
infectious as a disease.
In a brief space the crowd about the
entrance parted. and his curiosity melt
ed before another feeling-a feeling as
rapid if infinitely more strong. He
closed his eyes; then he readjusted his
glass.
It was Creighton-Tommy Creighton
and his wife. He watched them move
slowly UP the room, and as they moved
he felt, rather than heard, the admira-
ton that hummed in their wake. He
took a long look; then he leaned back
against the pillar. seeking to realize ex-
actly where he stood.
If you ever fall in love. Cranfield.''
some one had once said, you'll be the
worst case on record. bar none"
The words occurred to him inoppor-
timely. AS a man he was not excep-
tiOnal; but there were things at which
he drew the line. Making love to a
married woman. curiOusly enough,
came first on the prescribed list The
feelings that surged through him as he
let the pillar support him were largely
made up of fear. The thing was pre-
Osterous-grOtesQue He SHE'D vigor-
ously at the shadow of it. But not for
Creighton's face.
He had seen her before-once before.
That point alone wrought self distrust.
He had called one day with Bisther-
thorpe and she had given them tea. His
verdict had been. Extremely pretty
sarcastic, and a trihe cold"
he screwed in his eyeglass and lean
ed stu further back. He saw Creighton
introduce four men. Then his control
gave way. He forced an opening in the
crowd; but when he reached her side
and smoke. his voice had a tone thar
even to him, was new
May have the pleasure ?"
She looked up with Just the faintest
surprise. Then her eyes fell on the
factngs of bis red coat and she smiled
the friendliest and most perfect smile he
had ever seen.
= She hesitated and glanced
round for Creighton; but Creighton had
disappeared. She smiled again. and
held out her card. L can give Won
number five" she said. will YOU nut
down your name?'
He took the card and scraNled his f-i+-
waiting men. ''''S''
" n. six is also free" he said MAY
He would not have admitted the feel
mgs with which he waited for her reul q
ne saw the negative trembling on her Inns
and quailed Then to his absurdlI- ~, ~ = :
rehef, the saving smile came again. and
You may"
The words seemed the franlest and
most delightful he had ever heard
There is nothing in the world so vivifv-
ing as hope; In single moment The shit
ING tas ,, er9W S nag become the universe and
ne had found its core Like a Nonderfullv
deferred cream the fifth dance came ro1,n,1
and waiting was at an end
Mine. ! think" he said
beside her. then laid her hand on Gran ram
Shall we dancer" he asked.
'Oh! please"
He hid his disappointment. though his
so enthusiastic-so buoyantlv ,.o1,ns '''4N
The music had qUiclened to It's enc. WHOM
ne swung her OUT OF the crush His brai5,
was sun sWaying to the beat of the tune
as he drew her down a passage to 4 dis
tant seat II ten minutes of companion
snip she mad grown straight into his Ifs
The carpet of the passage was very son
the light of the hanging lamr was var1
dim. It seemed to him that he had only
ions on the divan and she sat down
Do you believe in infatuation2" he ask
He felt afraid Of what he was going 70
say he Ieit that his principles. his honor
he used the world boldly-au staDl,
things. were drifting from him like =
mirage. -
Have you we're heard of man grin.
off his head in a single night?' he aslIs.7
afresh- 9A'U
She looked up at him. and behind the
uneasiness in her eyes he felt that She was
measuring him inch by inch
I'D like to ask you something" she
said, IF you don't mind. i"
She glanced down, then once more She
glanced up. say
- want you to tell me your name.
He met her gaze in blank surprise. 7,
was hard to be rebuked. it was inhrn,a-
to be forgotten-wiped of her memory If
six weeks -
you've been pulling me the whol.
night" she said of course / know IN,
you're some friend of Tommy's: but VIVA
friend-and where met YOU Sb,
broke off suddenly and looked at him one,
more. Please do enlighten me I'm ils
dying to Know
81 suppose you're laughing at me" h,
said. I suppose you think thar beca,,s.
you're $3.50 horribly pretty Won cal
turn a mans head just fer sport But i
isn't sport; at least, not to me. I'm hand
fcapped every way.
The music of the next dance hogan T
appeared distant and much subdued Hi
balance and his nerve seemed lost III
rose slowly