The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-18
When Two Came a WOOing

Yes Miss Melville admitted to her.
self, the captain is very handsome,
and he is doubtless very brave, and-he
wishes me to be his wife. He is a man
of good character, and his family is
one of the most distinguished in the
county. He is rich, and he can listen
as well as talk. And when he talks he
says more than BERTHE says, butt
rather like BERTHE. l am more comfor-
table in Bertie's company. Poor BERTHE!
He isn't as handsome as the captain,
and his bravery"
She laughed softly behind her fan.
BERTHE also wishes me to- be his
wife. Both he and the captain have
assured me that my refusal will make
them desperately miserable; but don't
believe the captain would suffer as
BERTHE would. BERTHE is such a violet!
And the captain is a gladiolus. BERTHE
hasn't much social standing. His faith
er keeps a shop, as mine does. oh!
| dear. Whatever's a poor girl to do?'
A lady came and sat beside her, max
ing remark relative to the din of the
company.
Miss Melville again raised her fan to
her face.
What glorious weather it is. isn't
! it ?'' she said, noncommittally.
She did not catch the others reply,
| for at that instant the tall form of
Capt. Gorton swung into view, crossing
the lawn, laden with paraphernal1a for
| the afternoons entertainment.
He nodded at her and she inclined
her head slightly.
1.-The captains presence gives our lit
| tie celebration quite a military air,
the other was talking.
Il understand that he made some
| thing of a sacrifice to be with US. He
might have been showing himself to
admiring thousands in the city, and
! he's very fond of showing himself, is
the captain. Since that little affair at
somewhere or other in India, which
was in all the papers at the time, you
remember when he led a charge or
something somewhere where there was
danger, he's been in great demand.
He's popular hero. And he looks in
a uniform quite the brave man he's re-
kputed to be, which isn't customary with
heroes, you know. Heroes are usually
disappointing as spectacles-"
yes" Miss Melville concurred, but
she was only half listening.
She was again comparing the captain
with BERTHE and BERTHE with the cap
/ tain, and apologizing for Bertie's short
cornings. She seriously believed that a
struggle was taking place in her mind.
The other looked at her Quizzically.
Lovely idea of Mr.. Wareham's.
wasn't it?" she went on, after br1ef
interval ''These beautiful grounds,
easy chairs, perfectly delicious refresh
ments, and really no more noise than
one might expect, I suppose. Every one
should suffer a little in the cause of
country for the sake of ones patriotic
| SOUL
you are perfectly correct"
Miss Melvilles eyes were gazing up
ward where fluffy white clouds were
floating lazily, like pieces of snow upon
| a calm blue sea. She was unaware OF
the captains approach, immaculate IN
his white suit. She was visibly startled
when he spoke to her.
''Some of the boys have arranged for
a sham battle on the lake, ne salo'
would you care to see II!
She arose promptly.
won't you come too?" she said
sweetly, to her voluble neighbor. thus
causing the semblance of pucker &c
appear above the captains nose
'sThere will be no danger. will there
captain2"
mot the slightest" His smile was
od-humored, closely approaching pa
/ tronage. There will be nothing but
action and noise-mere boys play, you
know
Miss Melville opened her sunshade
herself, ignoring his movement to thai
end. Some quality in his tone-a
quality smacking of insult to boys-ano
Bertie-annoyed her. But he was
handsome and brave, this captain
while BERTHE wasn't and he was rich
and of aristocratic lineage, while
Berries father kept a common shop
She drew closely to the captains side
, and he leaned toward her, unheedins
the lake shore. where preparations fol
the battle were in progress.
Bertha saw them and waved his HAND
from out the midst of a Snarl of ex-
cited children in which he appeared tc
be hopelessly entangled- His hair was
perspiration and CRIME. His sleeves