The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-12
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

served Sne leaned over TO draw IN
the fragrance of the red roses and to
avoid his eyes, which were persistent.
He was thinking of how young and
lovely she was. How could he expect
her to love him2 The mirror opposite
reminded him of his years.
Yes, he would tell her-save her all
painful explanations. A young fellow
would make her happier. Once, in
burst of girlish confidence, she hal
told him how she hated young men
and new houses. 1t was childish of
her, he told himself, to expect her to
know her own mind.
What can j eat?'' she beamed al
him with shining eyes. Anything
from a nice young man to an oyster!''
Here was the opening, sooner than he
judith he began gravely, "it is
of the young man L would speak now.
Did-did-they say it is young Trav-
ers2 Shall 1 release your" The last,
20 the ear of the girl, seemed an anX-
tous, frenzied appeal for freedom So
this was what made him so gloomy;
so unlike himself. He was tired of
her: he wanted to be free. She was
pulling a rose to pieces and fitting the
petals over her finger tips. ''ShaH we
ring the curtain down on our little
comedy" he asked in an t'its-all-for-
the-best' tone. She nodded slowly.
She was beginning to see more clearly
every minute, just as ones eyes grow
accustomed to darkness after the first
bewilderment. He wanted to be free.
Judith" he said. Il shall ask only
TT is granted. she returned turned e Colby
Perhaps L shall have the honor of
congratulating you, also''-the also
was said as an afterthought-
1T is that you will tell it all to
me-" He hesitated. through a sense
of delicacy- If you mind, dear" he
added, gently. then don't"
Did she mind. she asked herself No,
she gloried in the opportunity. If he
sighed for his freedom he should have
1t. She would make no effort to hold
him, but he should understand before
she let him go that other men thought
her desirable. Then he could go with
his freedOm-and she would marry any
one of the others. 1t made no differ
ence-She would take the one who next
asked her. She was eighteen and in
finitely young. The middle-aged man
opposite felt that he would barter his
immortal soul to be twenty-four-to be
young with her.
Shall begin at the beginning?'' she
asked in weary tones. He WINGED.
No" he replied, that would in
clude me- Spare me that. There was
a long silence. 1T is of young Travers;
your enga cement
Until tonight she reminded in a
dull voice. I was engaged to you.
But" her voice stuck. He was wait
ing for her to begin.
Mrs. Carr. from New Orleans, was
at the Springs" she began; '-she is one
of my mothers oldest friends Mr.
of her receptions that 1 met him first.
Shall tell you everything Her voice
had new ring. He thought it was
from speaking of her lover.
Your roses came just as 1 was start
ing" she continued L wore the blue
dress. the one you used to like me in
Child he Interrupted, you do not
understand
Yes. but do" gayIy.'I remember it,
every bit, you told me that first night
wore lido you remember it?-what
about my milk white arms and shad-
owy hair2' 1t is a pretty dress. l wore
your roses to the reception-they were
glorious ones She was leaning on her
elbows on the table. her big eyes full
of mystery.
when Mrs. Carr presented Mr. Trav-
ers.' she proceeded, he told me that
he had been knowing me for a long,
long time and waiting for me to come
because his hands were tied. as it were
and he couldn't come after me. Then 1
laughed, because it was such good
joke-really, Bob, he said it very much
nicer than can remember. Then he
went on to tell me that it was before
the war he had known me. He just
graduated two years ago. 1 am afraid
rather encoura ged him in the non
sense 1t was such a relief from talk
ing to the women, and 1 can't help be
ing silly, you know Bob His heart
felt old and musty and faded, and her
every word was giving it fresh blow.
She had made a little pyramid of the
rose petals ana was neFVOuSlX tearing
1t to pieces to reconstruct it.
He was very nice" she continued.
we went back to sit on the stairs to
listen to the music. That was the be-
ginning; he came the next day for me
TO drive with him and told me that he
loved me-
The impudent young-'' he forgot
that it was of her lover he was speak
ing.
He said he couldn't help it," she
apolog1zed for him in world-weary ac-
cents But they all say that" There
was no trace of vanity in the remark.
The red of the roses found brilliant
rivals in her cheeks. ''Then-then one
night" she hesitated, lit was moon
light-down on the beach-he kissed
He kissed you?'' the man exclaimed.
'How dare he-how dare your
Don't be too hard on him. she
pleaded; he said something about men
not despising a thief if he steal to sat
tsfy his soul when he is hungry" Bob
had risen angrily; a determined little
hand pulled him back
Remember a cold voice reminded
you desired me to tell you"
Judith" he reproved sharply.
And that wasn't ALL" she flashed
defiant eyes at him. She remembered
how Jealous be had been. Once she
laughed and asked him if he thought
the enamOred air went sigking after
her, too. But that was when he had
really cared for her. Now he was try
ing to get rid of her. 4 had numerous
other lovers at the springs. Bob. 1t may
be-" she tapped a gay little tune with
her fan, that you might find them d.
Verting- There was Dave Cary she
assigned her little finger to HIM "a,ld
Fred Langles,' the next finger to him,
both of whom proposed to me at the
picnic on the fourth day of July Then
there was Mr.. Greyner, who proposed
TO me at the dance at Judge Birrow's
sons birthday-the son also proposed
for that matter. DR.. Spalding set my
wrist when 1 sprained it and when he
dismissed me he asked me TO be his