The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-09
THE GREATER LOVE.

1n0y nat Deon ScnOOl CnuTlS, ana
unlike most girl friends. their regard
for each other had outgxown their
short frocks. Hetty Lester was the
daring spirit of the two. Tall, dark
skinned black-eyed-lilxe Susan in the
play-with hair bluey-black as a raw
ems, she looked like a Spaniard, and
was known to all the pupils at Chill
cote high school as "the Gypsy" She
was the leader in mischief, and the
mouthpiece in complaint. Whenever an
expedition was planned, or a difficulty
had to be faced, Gypsy was always in
demand. Most of the girls feared Clip
sly, but all of them liked her; she, on
the other hand, held their likes and
dislikes in cool indifference. When she
accepted the role of leader-which was
pretty generally whenever a leader was
reQuired-her orders were issued with
out the slightest reference to their
wishes. and they had to obey them, or
Gypsy, with a grin of her cleaning
teeth, left them to shift for themselves.
Out of the whole school she formed
but one attachment, and this was more
the passive acceptance of a blind, dog
like worship than a warm FLOODED re-
turn of the attachment which pretty lit
tie Alice Marchant bestowed on her.
Alice was a contrast to Gypsy in every
way. She was as decidedly blond as
Gypsy was brunette, and she was as
timid, trustful, and yielding as Gypsy
was strong, Self-willed, and Self-reliant.
The affection which Alice bestowed
on Gypsy was a source of wonderment
to the other girls, who would have
thought it much more natural had she
been repealed by Gipsys brusque and
hayward manner. But friendship of a
strong and lasting character is most
frequently found between those of con-
traSting dispositions, and this we'll
known fact must be held as accounting
for the fast and firm friendship which
had sprung up between them.
Gipsy's relatives were much better
off than those of Alice, and after the
school days were over her time was
mainly devoted to holiday making. She
remembered her little friend with suf-
fcient interest to write her lengthy
accounts of her continental wanderings
and her many other holiday Jaunts.
They were sources of the greatest de-
light to Alice during the period while
her parents were anxiously debating
the question of her future: for Alice s
father was but a poor country parson,
and it was necessary that she should
choose a profession.
The choice was at length made, and
Alice opened a "TranSlationS, Cores
pondence, and Typewriting Bureau in
Leicester street. It was a decision ar
rived at IN accordance with her own
wishes and when she was fairly in
stalled as proprietress of the two rooms
which constituted the bureau she
Dluckily set herself to work up a Glen
| tele. In this endeavor she was Loyalty
assisted by all her old school chumS
who had connections in London, for
they recommended the new venture TO
their acquaintanceS, and by this means
helped "Gipsy's friend as she was
generally called, to a promising start.
Gipsv wrote to the bureau several
lengthy letters in the few months fol-
| lowing it's starting, and then there was
silence. A silence for nearly twelve
month, during which Alice prayed Tor
1r1 frfH nd yunn6prHd
what she was doing. And then one day
a stranger called at the bureau and
asked to see Miss Marchant. Alice had
succeeded so we'll by this time that
she employed two lady clerks. and did
not see callers herself unless by ap-
pointmeut-
''The lady said her business was per-
sonal, Miss, and she has sent in this
| of paper as she spoke Alice looked at
the paper. On it was scrawled in
pencil: Gypsy"
A moment later her quondam friend
was shown in. and Alice im2etuousily
rushed into her arms. 1t was the old
dog-Iike, blind devotion, the old un-
thinking gladness at her presence. 1t
was the same ecstasy faithful dog
might show at the return of loved
master. And then. when the first
greetings were over Gypsy had ter
rible story tC tell. which sent her poor
| little friend into shiver of apprehen-
sion and dread.
s'I nave no one to rely on, Allie but
you,'' she said. when her story was
! told 1T is no use advising now, for
it's all done and over. and it's no use
blaming. either. for, God help mel !
should have to do it. if the past year
had to be lived all over again. want
| ed to make a sacrifice for his sake to
prove how Dassionately loyed him"
There was moments silence
Where is ir?'' asked Alice. in a ter
rified, husky whisper.
AT my rooms"
''And you want me to keep it?''
''I can think of nothing else, Allie, and
can think of no one but you to help
me. My people have no idea of what
has happened. You know what they
are, and I simply dread to think what
exposure would mean"
"Oh, GiRsy. Gypsy. how sorry am.