The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-14
TIE EVENING STORY
me TanfaIus Of the Fire.

Once, indeed, I had heard from her
when there came a gift week after
Christmas with her card: please ac-
cept-even though I am little late
if Muriel had only been speaking Of
ahl Muriel-Muriel!
A yeart Perhaps she was engaged. 1t
was not a pleasant thought, for after
all fear I love Muriel. Still. every one
did. But we were only good comrades,
a stage reached after many interesting
periods.
First a Irritation, then acquaintance,
something stronger on my side, then
easy intimacy, friendship, and finally
good comrades-comrades as far as she
was concerned; lover on my part, but
she did not know. 1t would have been
so useless.
a scribbler. she-ahi who would
give the girl he loves economy for lux
ury, but perhaps I hoped Perhaps I
should write a novel. the great phan-
tasmic nOvel-and perhaps platonicS
would prove the entrance way to love.
Perhaps-perhaps And that was why
stood there in trepidation-a year is a
long time.
In the hall sat by the FIRE. The
swapping flames builded a palace Of
dreams-the Riviera with blue Skies
the green of the grass, the gold of the
sunshine, the song of the birds, the
soft strings of a mandolin, our villal
And Muriel, dainty, fragile, innocent,
brilliant, rose, soft perfumed.
my shoulder reading the great novel;
surely a palace of dreams-Tantalus of
the Fire.
She put her slim hand in mine.
Jarvis, it's good to see you
In friendship she let her hand rest
there in welcoming. It was hard, but
we were-friends, and so I said:
It's good to see you, toe"
And we sat down.
"IurieI" said reproachfully,
you never wrote me-
But, Jarvis, dear, we're such good
friends. I knew that you wouldn't
mind, that I should see you again,
and that you would be just the same
dear old Jarvisl"
And she smiled. That smile was
worth all the letters in the world, ex
cept. perhaps. the one that contained
ST am still the same Jarvis dear, I
hope; old, hope not. And are you
still the same Muriel? ?"
Yes she said, very softly, except
that 1 am the happiest girl in the
world OH Jarvis, you shall know
first of all-I'm engaged
"Engaged?" I asked, quietly, so
quietly that wonder now
The Tantalus of the Fire smiled as
4 leaned forward, grasping the van
ishing Muriel A log snapped, the
blaze died away. Something in me
snapped, too-the fire of my life went
out
yes" she said, very slow. t'he has
come-the knight of my heart. OH
Jarvis. wish me happiness, she
begged, almost sadly.
'Happinessi" I said. Z wish you
the greatest happiness in the world.
We have been such friends, such
comrades, that gladly I pray you may
have entrance to the land of the
Hearts Desire, to keep you, to guard
you, to save you from sadness and
sorrow.
Jarvis. DEAR she was almost
whispering, you are friend-and
now that / am to be married I shall
need friends.
] started.
you are the only real man friend
have. The others"ah! they will
desert then But you won't?'' she
ended half-p0sitive, MISUNDERSTANDING
"Muriel,' I said, just a bit brokenly,
try as 1 would not to, "all my life I
shall be your friend, ever at your
service to do what you will Your
marriage will make no difference in
our friendship, finished, quite
gravely; will it?" I asked in trem-
bling tones.
Jacks dear. I have told him about
you: he wants to know you; he's up
stairs; shall I bring him DOWN."
mo- I said, If you don't mind wen
postpone that I'm just in town for an
hour. and I must rush in a moment to
catch my train; it goes at s."
"Ohl I'm sorry; can't you stay with
US for a time at least; you can chum
with Jack"
L fear not
I could not explain wanted only to
sob. She talked about Jack as a wo-
man can talk only about the man she
loves. To be that man-but I scarcely
heard
pm sure you'n like him. she con-
yes" said I, but though he were
the prince of men could not.
''When I'm married. she said. tim
idly almost, you must come and spend
a month with US"
YES" said 7.
How could I? How could I not?
Then suddenly the clock began to
chime-one-two-t hree-four-five.
"Oh! you've missed your train,' she
ssThere was no train" said-Heaven
forgive me.
sThen you don't want to meet him?"
SUI Il a could not not yet yet. Goodbye" I said
quickly. and I took her hand and kissed
it, gently, very, very gently.
She drew back half frightened
'sOhi Jarvis, how could your"
How could I not?" said, brokenly;
stbut, AIuriel, dear, I shall be your
friend always-always. 1 pledge you
Godspeed for your future You shall be
my guardian angel, ever guiding me in
spirit, and for you-wiu ever do all
that one man may do for the woman
he loves beyond all the great prizes Of
the earth-the woman he loves, but
may not have. Forget me. forget that
/ loved you, because 1t is my sorrow
deep down in my heart that I was
not strong enough to BIT strong"
FORGET yout" she said. and there
we're tears in her eyes. Forget my
Jarvis my best friend, the best
friend a woman ever had-faithful
honest. strong, true always unselfish
forget my Jarvis!" and she leaned
forward and kissed me on the fore
head.
All! the touch of her lips that
subtle aroma of a good woman.
dainty, fragile. innocent, a rose, soft
perfumed-Ahi TantaIus!