The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-04
THAT NlGNET, LOVE.

1t had been only a chance meeting Of
four travellers around a little square
lunch table in Chicago railroad res
teurant. just a year ago, but it had left
blase Kirkland in love. thing when
ne had thought could never happen to
MIN he had met many charming wo-
men in his rather long life, mad found
them all delightful and had complinent-
ed admired and danced willing attend
ance on each adorable being in turn as
occasion or his elderly women friends
had decreed but the grand transform
ing sufusins power of that magnet.
now.
How had it happened? I cannot tell.
VINO has ever found a law for such
things Still, if You insist upon a rea-
son and must go through the form
of finding one. / would mad it in the
strange manner of their coming together
For the group which had gathered
about that little cafe ia BILE that dav had
been a rem2rka BILE one. Roberts rht-
hustling, busting. breezy business man.
with constant eye on the clock. his
pockets bristling with letters ana tele-
grams, and newspapers which over
flowed upon the table; Kirkland. the
bored. dilettante white-haired suave
traveller Of leisure. taking his rapasu
slowly and finding q deal of cynical
amusement in the active scenes around
him; Miss Nillers, pale, emaciated. yet
delicately beautiful deep-eyed woman
i1O"tl4 wrapped III q l4u60 custer. who
crumbled piece of bread and coughed
now and then in way which showed
that her pursuit of health was justified.
Roberts had watched her with curious
interest, Kirkland had thought at ths
time: and lastly. she or his own
thoughts, the handsome young woman
opposite, with her trampiHg boots. short
skirt alpelstock and Alpine hat, her
skin brouZed and rcughed Witn weather
and perfect health.
A half hours chat and they had part
ed. Roberts to go to Europe on bust
ness, Miss Viiiers west for health; Miss
Wentworth north to Alaska for adVen-
turc and there had begun for Kirkland
who was going south on pleasure, an
unquiet which sent him from Florida
to Cuba, from Cuba to South America
to the Mediterranean his heart all the
while travelling through the frozen
northland with Margaret Wentworth.
Here in Calcutta, on exactly the OPP
posite side of the globe, on this first
anniversary the thoughts of her which
filled his consciousness as he lay
stretched on bamboo lounging chair
under the striped awning Of a bamboo
veranda, vainly waiting for the after
noon sea breeze, were peculiarly per-
sistent. Had she persisted in the eter-
nal SHOWS he wondered. Or been i'm
prisOned in an ioeberg2 Or been car
ried off by the natives2
Absorbed in these dreadful musings.
he did not hear quick step behind him
nor was he conscious OF any presence
but his own on the veranda till a CHEEKY
voice called out.
Kirkland. By all that's wonderful"
'I2obertsi' exclaimed Kirkland.
springing up and selling him by both
shoulders in glad surprise.
And what in the name of all that is
sensible brought you to Calcutta at this
time of the year2' drawled Kirkland.
Sit down and light up and explain
yourself"
Well this is coincidence. sure
enough" said Roberts. accepting the
lounger and the cigar "a great coins
oidence. Did you know she is here :
Surely! Colorado did wonders for her
Cured her cough. Set her rizht up. IL
fact Loolzs the picture OF health. Be
gan to pick NJ directly she got there.