The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-23
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAID.

her grandparents, who were feeble, so
somebody had to accompany her to
and from choir practice. And as he
was alone and had nobody depending
on him, it was his duty TO see that
Lottie was properly protected.
Still he had never said anything
about them getting married Neither
had she.
Then they both liked the same books;
and it was entirely unnecessary to get
two copies of the same author. So
when he bought the latest work he just
took ii to Lottie and they read it to-
gether. And when her new ma gaines
came he Just dropped in to look them
over And new music-that always
required an entire evenings practice.
But on such occasions they always
discussed the books and practiced the
songs; they never talked about getting
married.
And now without the slightest excuse
in the world. the whole town was unan-
irnous in saying that he was going to
get married and that Lottfe was going
to get married and that he and Lottie
were going to marry each other.
Why, really, he wondered il Lottie
knew it-that is, what people were say
ingi Come to think Of it, he had prom
ised to go round that evening anyway
and take new song. It was a beauti-
full song, too. Must we part this night
forever?'' And Lottie was so anxious
to see 1t.
But it wouldn't take long Just to run
over it a few times and then he would
tell Lottie all about it Lottie always
knew a way out Of every difficulty. But
perhaps Lottie would feel hurt and en-
barraSsed if she knew people were talk
ing about them getting married. Why,
she never even mentioned the matter
to him. He and Lottie would practice
that song together and then he would
tell her what folks were saving; ard
Ia has fh,axy H. 7rrT n
be to quit being friends and end 1t all.
He hated awfully to tell her, of course,
and he hated the idea of not being
friends with Lottie, too, for Lottie was
such dear girl and so companionable.
But then people mustn't talk That
is, mustn't say that he and Lottie were
going to marry each other. Not that
he, himself, really cared that they said
it. but Lottie might not like it, and it
would never in the world do to allow
people to say anything that would hurt
Lottie.
But the more he thought of it and
the more he planned as to how he
would break the news to Lottie, the
more puzzled he became. Why, may be
Lottie wouldn't believe it-that is, that
the people were saying-no. that wasn't
it, either. OF course Lottie wouldn' [
believe they were going to get married,
but how was he going to go about tell
ing her that the people said they were.
He wondered if Lottie would care
Only the other day he had heard her
say 1T was so pleasant to have a
friend to confide. in and trust" But
that was when they were speaking of
the choir singers Lottie had never
said she was glad he was her friend.
She had never so much as said she
would like to marry him. How could
he tell Lottie that people said they were
going to marry each other? His brain
and heart seemed to be running race;
or at least trying to see which could
get in the most beats to q minute.
The day at last came to a close-most
days do, but this particular one was
very long about it He believed he had
gone to supper. He had a dim recOl
/ lection of some one saying he did not
look we'll and would he have another
cup of tea Then he had thought of his
toilet. He must look his best that eve
ming. The last evening that he and
Lottie would be friends. Then his heart
seemed to stop while his braint went on.
But go he must. 1t would not do to
keep Lottie in the dark any longer, and
/ he had an idea now. Why. it was just
the thing. He would go by the con-
servatory and get a bunch of roses, the
finest they had. for it would be the last
he would ever carry to Lottie-
LOttie did love roses SO; though he
couldn't see why, for. really. Lottie her
self was sweeter than any rose he had
/ ever seen-but he wouldn't tell Lottie
/ that, of course, he would just tell her
that people said-but by this time he
i had reached the little glass house full
/ of flowers that Audrain people dignified
as the Conservatory" bought all the
roses the owner had, and like one in a
! dream, had gone on till he arrived at
/ Lottie's gate
The light from the parlor windows
streamed out across the path with it's
old familiar glow of welcome. And
Lottie was singing. Just simple lit
( tie ballad It was, but so sweet and ten
der, L4ottie often sang it for him; but
surely there was a touch of sadness in
! Lottie's voice and the words seemed
/ to tremble on her lips. He must hasten
in and find out what was the trouble.
! and-he gave the bell pull that
/ caused it to ring like an alarm of fire;
and without waiting for an answer,
he bounded through the hall into the
+. parlor, like his own or somebody else S
life was in peril. to find Llottie startled
and pale; and not realizing the abrupt
ness of his entrance and forgetting his
own usual pleasant but dfgnified greet
ing. he dropped the bunch of roses and
with a grasp that was almost death
Ike in its grip, caught Lottie's trem-
bling hands in his own strong ones and
they told you? Who has been so cruel
Have they wounded you. Lottie. dar-
ling?"
And over his entire being there fash
ed a new truth IN all its resfStleSS pow
er. He couldn't give Lottie up.
He loved her better than his own
life: and with a voice full of passion
ate love and longing, a voice full OF
new-found tenderness and pathos. a
voice that told the depth and strength
of his earnestness, he looked straight
into Lottie's tear-dimmed eyes and
said. Il love you. Lottfe. VIII you be
my wife?'
And the tears gave place to smiles OF
happiness and Lottie answered, sweet
". Yes
song.
Must we part tonight, dear heart:
And must our lives divided be?"
But they did not sing it They only
sat in happy silence, and the fragrant
odor of crushed roses filed all the room
And still the people talked; they ever
said that Lottie and Sam were going tc
get married