The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-05
SYMPATHY. !"


When I entered the room in West
Audley street, where my cousin Daphne
dispensed tea and smiles, was con-
scious of misgivings. 1 had been away
for some weeks, and something had
happened Which-it was not that 1 was
ashamed of it. 1 had achieved my
highest hope, had entered upon a new
era of happiness. l was certain of this
because 1 had told myself so repeatedly
that morning-indeed, ever since it hap
pened, two days ago. But Daphne was
unreasonable, Daphne was-Daphne. She
had conviction Of her own that all
men were created to do her will, and
was uncertain as to her reception of
Beatrice.
Deem" she said. rising abruptly. cit
IS good of you to come at once. But
then I knew you would"
1T was not your day, so 1 came. I
wanted to see you"
"Of course. Don't eat those little
cakes, they are horrid; 1 keep them for
the Montmorency woman's pug. 1t is
visibly swelling. There will come day
when 1t will go pop, and the Montmor-
ency woman will bury it's fragments in
a garden with vulgar ornate stone
over IL
Poor beastP' I answered with some
"Oh, he's insufferable all snuf1es and
wheezes. Your sympathy is wasted,
Deem"
"Ah," I replied vaguely. II was
thinking of another BEAST
Really? Another pug? All, never
mind. Why you want to discuss pugs
when-when there is something so
much more important, astonishes me"
took my cup of tea very carefully
and poured in the cream with delibera-
ton.
You have heard?" said, addressing
a little squat Buddha who grinned just
behind Daphne's right shoulder.
Daphne looked at me with astonish-
ment.
'Of course" she answered
Il suppose" I said. these things get
about very quickly. I admit it is a very
serious step for me-"
She looked at me quite sorrowfully
She has big gray eyes and there is a
that is invariably matter of specula-
tion with me.
"Deen, II was afraid So" she said.
ITO be married is so serious a step"
L suppose it depends" she answered
musingly Il know that it will be so
with me. 1 may be specifically friv-
olous, may at times have been carried
away by impulse-in trifies, of course -
she added hurriedly.
This is rather cruel to me, isn't it?''
4 asked reproachfully.
You are so ridiculous, Deem, at times.
But now that everything is settled
THE worst of finality is that it in
variably breeds regrets"
Possibly, Deem, you mean half re-
grets."
I looked at her. The light of the sun
was on her hair. and her eyes were
shaded by long lashes. Her whole atti-
tude suggested a gentle melancholy
which was complimentary.
No" l said stoutly, regrets"
Perhaps So 1t is all so new. Who
knows that one day"
THE one days of the future are the
little white tomb-stones of dead pleas
ures."
zone day we shall wonder wheth-
IT know. And wondering we shall
regret. and regretting we shall become
wrinkleS."
Never she answered quickly.
What horrid imagination you have.
DeenT'
That Beatrice is beautiful and SEN
sible is perfectly assured"
"Beatricer' said Daphne, sitting up
quite quickly in her chair Beatrice
Marchington! That woman What has
she to do with the matter?"
To women every other woman is
"she probably has great deal We
are engaged"
There was quite an awkward silence.
The squat Buddha grinned horribly. !
looked at Daphne. and her face fasci-
mated me- AT first there was immeasur-
able disgust then gradually there crept
into her eyes a look of pity. of infinite
PttJs WHICH met. iouSnt, ana conquered
the cruel of her lips
Poor Deem she murmured
1t was an uncomfortable commence
ment Two days ago Beatrice had APP
peared perfectly desirable. Now / was
beginning to wonder how much of the
exalted MOOD in which 1 became en-
gagged was due to the very subdued
Hight in the conservatory, the week OF
comparative idleness at Narchington's
country place, and the alluring throt
in Beatrice's voice AT all events she
does the throb very well, and it is very
datterinR.
she is beautiful 1 asserted again
vaguely.
"Oh, yes; poor Deem" she answered
'she has established her claim t.
beauty so long that we all concede
that"
And we are to live the higher life
Daphne I went on, with a forced en-
thusiasm that was like the nervous
gayety Of a bridegroom. 4 have idleo
away my time: 1 have neglected tbs
culture of higher things"
They are2" she inquired.
"Oh, well-somewhat nebulous, I sup
pose, sitting on the bench and taking
chairs and things"
"Ah, yes. Poor Deem, I am sure
hope you will be happy!" She placed
quite a pathetic stress an the wore
hone"