The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-09
LESSON IN LOVE.


The professor pushed aside his vol
ume of Chaucer to make room for his
slender young daughter on the arm of
his chair. She f1uttered over to him in
her soft, white gown, its cut revealing
the curve Of her firm, fair throat and
the artistic lines of her rounded arms.
Where tonight, Estelle2'
ITO the ball with Mr.. Denton and
Mrs. Mills" she answered, blithely.
with Mr.. Denton2 Isn't Teddy Va
xiel going?''
i suppose so-yes"
Her tone was Indifferent. but her ner-
vousness under her fathers gaze be-
trayed a stified uneasiness, a silenced
struggle.
They tell me this Mr.. Denton is a
very wealthy man." he said
''Ohi it's true. He has riches beyond
ones dreams
The note of personal triumph in her
voice was harsh to her fathers listen
ing ear. He regarded her thOughtfully.
sit here on the hassock, dear. can
see you better. You are sweet and pref
~ and pure. The soul of your mother
shines in your eyes" He lifted his head,
and his strong, pale face, with its soft
framing of waving gray, was profiled
against the vivid velvet OF his chair.
His voice became almost a whisper.
This is the anniversary"
Not Of your marriage, father2'
mo. Ny marriage was a subsequent
date You do not know have never
told you-that your mother was mar
ried before she became my wife-mar-
why. no. father dear" said the
girl with quick, sympathetic interest
Il never care to speak of that. yet
tonight see I must tell you the story
] must give you a message from the
dead"
7 shouldn't have made this engage
ment. You are sad. father; I'll stay
NO. I want you TO 20. / shall
have time to tell you before they
come
He caressed the hand that sought
his and unused a minute in silence.
ION this night years ago, Estelle,
She was placed very much like you.
in com Portable home. in d college
town. where her father. too, was
professor. The miniature that hangs
beauty II tells the outward lowell
ness, but only hints at her inner grace.
All. there were many who sighed for
her wonderful smile.
''She and I had discovered the pur-
pie twilight. In every blossom I saw
her face; the dewdrOD cleaned with
the luster of her eyes. her voice was
in the warbling of the birds; her smile
Estelle, that is the way Teddy Variel
thinks of you"
The girl put up a protesting hand.
Her father smiled and resumed his
story.
Her mother forbade our engage
ment- I was only struggling stu
dent, and. though her father believed
that I should win fame. he did not
check his wife's ambition for her
child
There came to the town. very much
like the coming of this young Denton
a man with gracious personal gifts and
riches which at that time seemed i'm
mense- He had 5ust come into his in
heritance
They met-and he loved her At
first she would not listen, but her ma
ture was gentle. her mother deter
mined and her father. porting over an
creeping into his home. I was power
less She could not receive me when
] called. and at the functions where
we met. she was zealously guarded bv (
her mother and the man.
She accepted him. She told him
frankly that her love was mine that
in promising him she was accedinv to
her mothers Will But he was buoy
antly confident that love would come.
They were married. and he took her
away to mansion filed with treas
ures of art. She had jewels and gowns
and horses-all things that money
could by. But love did not come. The
strongest softest nests. EstelIe. are
built by the birds love mated
Tor a year I did not care what be-
came of me- But I loved her and
Gould do nothing Of which she would
De ashamed. went to Egypt and be-
gan the researches that have brought
me fame.
Five years passed. The longing to