The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-19
A FREAK OF DESTINY.


surprise when that individual took his
own time to respond. Noonan people
were slow and Independent, ana the
newcomer had not forgotten that fact
You don't seem in any hurry to get
fare, ne sald, peevishly, as he stepped
into the vehicle
You dion't expect maybe that wuz
a-goln' to drive up on the platform, now
did YEP" drawled the driver, where
might ye be Wantin' to stop at?''
Take me to the best hotel"
All right I'll take We to the Column
Uus- Git up, jimmy. git up. Jack. Say,
ef you hev emmy baggidge the express
wagon will fetch 1t up"
Al the hotel-a fine new building-the
landlord advanced with a f1ourlshing air
OF proprietorship to address a Stranger,
then started, and welcomed his guest by
both hands.
mr.. Arnold" he said. effusively, Il
knew you as soon as laid eyes on youI
And-let me see-it's ten years to a day
since you left Noonah."
How-do, Ransom. how-do?" the guest
spoke fretfully and coldly. ''Tlmc
hasn't stood still with either of US. You
know I live in Washington now
Yes, sir; yes, Mr.. Arnold and you We
done us proud there. Why, sir. you got
US an appropriation for new postoffice
to be built in the near future-I hope to
i've till get my letters there. Yes, sir
congressman. senator-and now"
Pm not in office now, Ransom. NV
private interests demand all my atten-
ton. Besides, you know. I am alone in
the WOrld-r either wife nor child
All yes, sir, I've heard. She was
a fine woman, Mrs. Arnold was, and
very handsome, too-if you'll excuse me
for saying it,
''She was very eXtravagant," said
the widower the scowl on his face in
tensifying. "dreadfully reckless in her
expenditures-why, Ransom, she was
the most extensively dressed woman in
Washington. where all the women dress
like the dickens
But, Mr.. Arnold-beg pardon-h'm
hadn't your lady a fortune of her
own?"
Yes, Ransom, and I invested her
money to the best advantage. but she
spent a lot of it foolishly. However
she's gone now, and it can't be helped, ="
and with a cross. detected look Mr.
Arnold with the prefix of Hon" to his
name, followed his host to the best
room in the hotel.
Later when he had dined and wined
he asked some questions about old
time friends in Noonah and led the con-
versation until he asked casually:
What has become of the Merritts
] suppose Agnes is married by this
time? The last I heard of them they
had gone abroad. Have they returned ?"
Yes, Mr.. Arnold, and they're rich
now-brought back heap of money
from an estate that fell to them in
the old country. They do say Mr.
old mans true blue American-no titles
for him. And Miss Agnes has never
married, though we all know she had
plenty of chances" He looked slyly at
Mr.. Arnold who was disposed to be
communicative.
yes. Ransom. she came near being
the first Mrs. Arnold. 1t was her own
fault that she wasn't lied Arnold glib
~.
Few of us know ourselves as well as
nfhEr- rpnT11a know Know thVSelf.H
remains Greek to the average man. All
Noonah knew that Robert Arnold had
thrown Agnes Merritt over for richer
girl Ransom told of her fathers inter
ests in various hourishing enterprises,
and of their improved style of living
This was merely a confirmation of news
Arnold had already heard, which had
indeed brought him to the place he de-
tested-Noonah. A cold smile wreathed
his face and a calculating light shone
in his steely eyes, as he reflected that
Agnes had probably remained single for
his sake.
Agnes Merritt sat alone in an unlight-
ed parlor looking out on the gathering
night and thinking, thinking. She had
only to reach out her hand to touch the
wall and flood the room with soft cleo
trio glow. but she preferred the linger-
ing twilight punctuated by the twinkle Of
the town lamps below and the coming
stars above The intoxication of the
hour, when daylight dies in the beloved
embrace of night, was upon her-she
was communing with the past. On the
eve of her thirtieth birthday her
thoughts went back to the time of ner
betrothal to Robert Arnold. How she
had loved him. how she loved him yeti
Nor did she blame him for what hap
pened, for she had invited her ricn
friend to visit her, and then when she
was engaged in home duties left them TO
each other, and her friend had stolen
her lover Womanlike. she blamed the
other woman in the case. and let the
man go free.
She mad recently heard of his wife s
death, and allowed herself to dwell on his
memory as she had not done N many
wears. Now that he was free, would he
seek her, now that she had love and for
tune both to give him? She could not
know of his hard cruelty to the woman
who had just died, his petty prosecutions
she would not have believed them II
that woman could have risen from her
grave to warn her. She was IN love with
Looking out on the night and its pan
Drama she saw him coming toward her
with the Indifference with which one be
holds an ordinary Passerby. Surely, sure
" love is bind Her eyes rested on the
hint of resemblance to any one she had
known Her heart throbs were accel-
Grated by not one thrill, and when the
bell pealed and the vibrations reached her
she thought, indlfferently: Some man
Her father and mother were attending
the weekly prayer meet ng. their sole di-
version, with all their wealth and oppor-
tunities The servants were out, or
gossiping in a remof= part of the house,
and Agnes did not fee it imperative that
she should answer tae door bell. So her
former lover walked out of her life.
probably for the last time. For when
her father found his card under he door
that night with his hotel address PEN
ciled ON the edge. ne thrust it into his
rocket for a future inspection, when he
should have on his glasses. and forgot an
about it. And the Hon Arnold left Noon-
an in high dudgeon over the slight.
Yet if tnat cold, calculating man should
come back and ask her to marry him Ag.
mes Merritt VIII consider herself blessed
beyond her deserts. There are women who
love the hand that smites them and find
their greatest happiness in martyrdom. OF
such Is the kingdom of heaven.-Chicag &c
Record-HeSA5d.
Dubuque People Great Walkers.
The best walkers, men women and