The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-12
TEEE EVENTNG sroRY.


ing up, that the awning caught his
eye and he tumbled hastily out of the
car 1t was showing hard, and Rob
ertson, pulling his coat collar about
his ears, mentally reviIed himself for
being such a fool as to be out But on
the dock last evening Mrs. Preston
there to meet her sister-had made
point of his coming, SO here he was.
And perhaps he might learn some
thing of Virginia. It was a year now
since he had been in America. In all
that time he had heard no word Of the
girl. He had little doubt OF how mat
ters stood, however, that last after
noon when he had gone to bid virginia
gOodby and had met her driving with
Henry Warning. That last sight OF
them together had only confirmed the
rumors which for some time had been
flying about. They were proDaDly
married by now. This morning when
he had walked past the house which
held such bitter-sweet memories II
bore a sign ITO Let
Robertson sighed, then plunged up
the steps. The house was brilliantly
lighted. From the rear hall came the
dreamy rythmic strains of a Hunga-
rian orchestra. Garland of flowers
hung over door and stairway. Robert
son had not supposed 1t was to be
large tea.
on entering the drawing room Rob-
nearly empty, the green bower in the
window was deserted, but the hostess
still stood by the door. 1t was Nir-
ginia's mother. Robertson, his head
whirling in amaze. stared as she greet
ed him warmly.
Why Mr.. Robertson, this is indeed
a pleasure . she exclaimed. when did
you return, and how did you know that
we had moved r. Robertson, too en-
barrassed to be tactfu1, flushed.
''Why-why. I fear that 1 come under
false pretenses," he stammered. i eX-
pected to find Mrs. Preston"
Virginia's mother smiled.
"Then you are one block out of the
way she explained. "She is in Sixty
ninth street, and this is Sixty-eighth.
But I will not let you go. We have
been celebrating a wedding here to-
day as you see, and you are very vel
come"
"A wedding" repeated Robertson
family. He wondered if he looked
queer-if Mrs. Nelson would notice any
thing. "And-and Miss Virginia %
Il suspect they have all gone into the
dining room,'' said Mrs. Nelson. THE
ceremony was at 4, so the bride and
groom will be leaving shortly"
Still striving to collect his wits, Rob
ertson made a slow way to the dining
room It was only what he had ex-
pected, he told himself angrily. Why
should he care? Yes, there was Waring,
flushed and excited, a great white clus-
ter of lilies of the galley in his button
hole. The room was filed with merry
young people, laughing and chatting,
but Robertson had eyes only for the
slender, graceful girl who stood by
Warnings side in a gray dress and big
gray hat with soft feathers. AS she
saw him enter the words died on the
girls lipS, she heSitated, cOlOred and
then came gravely to meet him. Rob-
ertsons heart thumped painfully. How
lovely, how sweet, how altogether de-
sirable she looked
ISIS it really you?'' asked the
girl, a faint tinge of awkwardness in
her manner. How nice of you to
come"
isn't it?" agreed Robertson, a trifie
bitterly. 81 must go and congratulate
Waring."
yourself she said gently. You are
really back then. And you are going
to stay? '
q start for Japan tomorrow morn
ing" returned Robertson, with sur
that the idea had but that moment
found its inception in his brain. II
do not know when I shall return.
''Then this visit is only to say good
bye % asked the girl, bending her head
to inhaIe the fragrance OF the flowers
she carried. ''You-yeu did not honor
US that far before your last departure. -
Robertson flushed again.
Il came" he said quietly, "but you
were out. I saw you driving with
Warning. Not surprising under the cir
cumstances,' trying to laugh.
mo-" assented the girl. "I-I have
had to be with Henry good deal this
last year or so. remember now we
went that day to meet my cousin. do
not know that you ever saw Mabel. p"
Robertson shook his head.
''I think not" he said. What was
Mabel to him? "I have just been ex-
planning to your mother that got into
the wrong house" he continued for
mally. Seeing the awning and the
snowstorm must have misled me, these
streets are all very much alike. So
you will pardon me if go. II wish
you all happiness he added, his agi-
tation for the moment getting the bet
ter of him. 81 am sure you know
that"
Miss Nelson, her lips trembling a bit
wistfully. gazed back at him. There
was something wrong; she could feel
the vague restraint that hung between
them. Was it due only to his long abb
sence? He had always been a good
friend of hers before that hasty trip to
last year. Indeed, she had thought,
once or twice And now he was go
ing away again with that hurt, tired
look in his eyes. Could-could she not
stop him?
troubled little voice. Cant you
even wait to see the bride come
down?"
.HThe bridel' cried Robertson. 1.-THE
bride!" Then suddenly has face
changed, a new light leaped to his
eyes. ''What-what do you mean ?"
he demanded in a choked, strangled
sort of tone. "Aren't-aren't you the
bride?'
"I?" calculated Miss Nelson. 'I?"
Robertson's excitement deepened-
''But-but saw you with him. he
persisted, land people said
into the girls look flashed q quick
comprehension mingled with he could
not tell what other emotion.
"You=you thought that it was for
whom Henry cared she gasped. ooh
oh. YOU are mistaken! It is Mabel;
she would not listen to him, and for
ages have been his helper and con-
fdant. And so at last he won. She
will be down in a moment if you will