The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-07
TIE EVENING STORY
Inst Miss Iune.


eA-40 tie 1c1A1AS fClCAllC4l N4AAAAA C--s
OF course, there had been some adfli-
tions to the latter class. some defec-
tons from the former; but the charac-
ter Of the company had remained much
the same. This year, however, came
new boarder of a distinctly different ell
ement- He was Mr. Paul CampbeH,
playwright of some reputation.
Being the only eligible man on the
place. Miss Austin had managed to lay
hold of Mr.. Campbell as her especial
property At first he did not mind.
Were not her eyes sufficiently blues
Was there not always about her the
odor of oTris and heliotrope2 But when
he discovered that both mother and
daughter were trying to work the mat
rlnonial game upon him he baked.
One warm day they had been down
to the lake boating; and now they had
turned their faces homeward.
If you find the path rough for fash
ionable heels. or tear your gown with
the brambless or scratch your face with
the wild rose bushes, on your own head
be the consequence" Paul Campbell
capriciously chosen a path through the
woods while he had wisely indicated
another.
I don't care, it's too hot to breathe
today, and I know this is the shorter
way; it'll get US home more quickly
than the other
We'll. it must be single nle,' observ-
ed Campbell, with something like posi-
tive relief, remembering that the ar
rangement would do something to add
to the difficulty of conversation.
You'll have a good opportunity
threw back Miss Austin over her shoui-
der, of determining whether my hair
is all my own"
Its glory answered Campbell
quick always in saying the required
thing, must blind one to its defects
If there be any"
80 good of you to make the qualif-
carton 10 TpfnTta1
Here and there the briar roses bloom
ed in all their exquisite pinkness. Camp
bell absently broke off spray. Alb
sently, too, he pulled the leaves from
the stalk Then he CHANGED to look
upon the pink bud
With a whimsical, half-tender ges-
ture he thrust it into his buttonhole.
oh, he was a fool, beyond doubt, to
fancy such connection. But those
unostentatious little petals, showing
their delicate veins as they tapered
upward and EMBEDDING so much wild
sweetness, reminded him of Miss June.
June was Mrs. Austin's younger
daughter. She had wide, dark eyes
beautiful like her sister Jane. Their
names, in fact, many of the boarders
thought, ought to have been turned
about, for June was plain just like her
sisters name, while Jane was as
flushed and Jubilant as summers first
month.
There's a pleasure as well as
credit in dressin her." June had once
overheard her mother say when she'd
slipped Jane into a thin, white frock
and brushed her glossy curls. That
was twelve years ago-June was only
six; but her fragile little hands had
gone together in mute protest and her
eyes had grown larger with half-un-
derstood pain.
June. whom her household and the
summer boarders saw, June of the in
frequent speech, the shy fugitive
smiles, and proud, reticent air-that
was not June of the woods whom Paul
Campbell had grown to know! June of
the woods had an elusive grace, shin
ing eyes, laughter as silvery as the
ripping streams; exquisite fancies,
quick, dramatic gestures, and
withal a delicate, childish abandon of
spirit.
We'll" asked Miss Austin. as they
came out from the woodland path on
to the sunny road, have you settled
the affairs of the nation? I looked
back at you once or twice, but you
notice me" she pouted.
Miss Jane, how could that be pos
sible?" Knocked he courteously.
tPshaw." she said, twirling her sun
shade Indignantly, 4 believe I'm moth
ing but a peg for you to hang compli-
ments on
You are the magnet which attracts
them he corrected. Suddenly Miss
Austin lifted her eyes.
THAT wild rose bud in your coat is
very pretty. VIII you give it to me for
a remembrance of the day?"
Campben's fingers closed upon the
bud to detach 1t. Then he remem-
bered.
No. Miss Austin" he laughed.
thrusting his hands into his pockets;
1T would be inappropriate. When I go
to the village tomorrow I'll get you
some roses from the florists
One morning several days later they
were IN the woods together, June and
he, under the silver column Of a beech
tree She sat beside him, with her slim
wild rose buds whitening in her dark
hair The pink of them had somehow
stolen to her cheeks. She was happy
today, in spite of the fact that Camp
bell was Gliding her.
See here, young lady" he was say
ing, half seriously, half playfully. IF
you continue to evade me as you've
been doing for the past few days I'm
going to pack my trunk and leave
next week. What possible pleasure do
you think I find in a lot Of staid ladies
who knit on the porches. and children
who squabbIe-"
There's Jane suggested the girl,
demurely watching the flash of a bird
through rl1t IN the foliage. she
likes to be with you, Mr.. Campbell,
I'm sure And I'm sure"-here the
pearly teeth caught the scarlet under
lp-"Janes neither a staid knitting
lady nor a squabbhng child. And why
should you miss me? I'm not beauti-
full, like Jane. I'm just"
Just Miss June" finished Camp
bell, simply. But there was a world
of quiet pride in his voice
June trembled beneath his words,
and knew not why she trembled. But
there was sufficient dramatic force in
her to go toward the making Of a
great actress. She spied a spray OF
scarlet columbine on a gray rock over
hanging a dark pool Unconsciously
the contrast of colors struck her ar
tistic eye. and she made use of It all
to hide her sudden emotion.
e'Weu you fetch me those coIum-
bines that wave from the rock and
throw -colored patches on the noo1 Mr..