The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-08

like that of most affairs in real life
an anti-climax. They met continually
N society and became friendly with
the conventional friendliness that hides
love and Indifference and hate and
selfish interests, and everything that is
real. Occasionally, in these latter DAYS.
he even made half love to her again;
an ironical, hooking echo of the past
Then it was that she grasped the locket
in her breast and repeated madly to
herself I'm fool I'm fooli" You
see, conditions were very bad.
A well mounted, alert, merry COM
pany it was that assembled that even
ing at Miss Vests home on jefferson
avenue for trot to the Detroit Coun-
try club. The distance of eight miles
necessitated an early start and a brisk
pace to carry out the evenings pro-
gramme: and it was soft twilight and
moonrise when they started with here
and there warm rays of light stream
ing from the windows along the avenue.
The exhilaration of the exercise and
the keen air of early spring raised
Elsie'S spirits for the moment to such
a degree that she did not deem herself
more than half a fool; even though
danger, in the shape of Howard Rails
ton, was her escort. Besides, the oppor-
tunity of again becoming 'imbecile"
was fast disappearing. The barriers of
ice between them had 50 thickened that
sudden waves of emotion no longer
broke through them: her heart sank
in her breast as the danger receded.
No" she said, inwardly, I'VE are
quite safe from emotional scenes in the
future" A look at him would reassure
one on that point. Could tones be more
care free and pleasantly Indifferent than
were his, whether he spoke to her or TO
others?
Or could one manage a prancing,
chatting horse with less concern. What
poise, mental and physicall Could any
woman disturb such self possession?
Well, perhaps. but not she!
The miles flew by. They had passed
the city's pavement; quiet and moon
light reigned except for the laughter
and bantering of the party and the thud
of the horses hoofs. With every mile
despondency more completely oVercame
her 1t would not do to show it. She
must brace" as she termed it. But,
oh God she could not bear laughter
anything but laughter! She gave her
horse cut with the crop; she must
have more exercise, excitement-some-
thingi Off he darted, closely followed
of course, by Ralston's steed, only too
glad of the suddenly loosened rein. The
horses began to race That was BETTER
She was a fine hOrsewoman. and Raj
ston merely cautioned. as they flew
along, Careful of the big stones, Miss
Vest without anxiety in his tone.
What solicitude in those accents.
she thought with miserable irony. HE
thinks I'm doing this to get him to my
self; I'm not. though-Im sure of it. l
hate tete-a-teteS with him now; but
must do Notwithstanding can't
bear Just then came the apprOprl-
ate stone, or root, or whatever it was,
and horse and rider were down; she
knew no more.
The others were up with them in
few moments and dismounted.
Good Lord Ralston, is she badly
hurt?" -.
.'Thank God you're along, doctor!"
"SenseIess, isn't she?"
ANY bones broken?"
Here's a flask, old man."
How did it happens"
The doctors voice stopped the volley
of anxious questions: "All L can tell
by this moonlight is that the breath is
knocked out of her" he said, while
working to bring it back by artificial
respiration Mrs. Blair unfasten her
clothing. Ralston and Blair, stay here
to help carry her. The rest of you go
to the nearest house and prepare to
have her brought therei"
The loosened clothing and doctor S
skillful kneading soon brought back
her breath. but not her senses
With the slow return of conscious
ness a half hour later, Elsie found her.
self in a strange room, lying on a soft
couch, under a warm afghan, with her