The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-13
TIE EVENING STOR r


younger man.
Until almost in the same breath, it
leaked out that Mr.. Palmer, who was
always trading on tips and going broke
in the market, had plunged once too
often-had indeed been face to face
with bankruptcy until James Corey
came TO his rescue.
Then the world, as represented by
society in Glenwood Park-profered
congratulations and smiled discree1ly.
OF course. If the Palmers accepted
James Corey's money, they must ac-
cept its giver too.
The Park was apt to assemble in
formally at the Country club for
o'clock tea. There was something
pleasantly cosy in gathering around
the low china-laden table on the wide
club house porch. But now chocolate
away, while their possessors eagerly
discussed this marriage Of convenience
in their midst
1.-THE poor girl is deliberately sacri-
flcing herself" declared Mrs. Law
renee, tragically waving tea cake.
And she is so pretty, put in little
Mrs. Brooks irreievantly.
Her youth has been bartered for
gold.' said Mrs Ellis, who had a fond
ness for light fiction.
And he is so much older"
Money isn't everything
Perhaps even yet she may be saved
from it," faltered little Mrs. Brooks,
hopefully.
why save her?" briskly interrupt
ed Mrs Wylie, joining the group and
taking the cup of fragrant tea offered
her. Mr.. Corey is honorable, charit-
able, rich-a good man in every re-
spect She ought to be proud of him.
I'm sure can't imagine what more
she could want"
Five pairs of eyes confronted Mrs
Wylfe in shocked surprise
well, I'm sure I hope she takes
your view of it," said Mrs. Lawrence
gloomily.
IF he only were younger. He's as
old as=as Father Abraham
t'Oh! if Mr.. Palmer had not been in
such sore straits"
Still, it is lovely to be able to cling
to ones faith in human nature as you
I'm clinging to nothing said Mrs.
Wylie stubbornly, ''but, for my part, L
think she's a very lucky girl
"Oh, of course everybody respects
And he is very rich man.
But it is so evident that she did II
to save her father.
f'Besid es-there is her cousin, Tom
Breuster." said Mrs. Brooks softly
Tom Breuster was an ordinary sort
! of a feuOw-fairly good looking, fairly
clever In fact, he did not amount to
much one way or the other, but he
happened to imagine himself very
much in love with Helen, and when
her engagement was announced burst
in on his aunt in a storm of lnd1gna-
whats this you've done ?" he de-
manded. vehemently. why was kept
in ignorance all this time ??
T don't understand you,' returned
Mrs. Palmer coldly-
''Then I'll explain You have engaged
Helen to a man for whom she has not
the smallest spark of affection To
save vourseIves=for the sake of mere
money-mere worldly position-you
and her father have consented to sac
rifice that poor girl, body and soul
you must be insane to talk to me
like this" returned his aunt icily.
ssTTher is no reason why Helen should
not marry Mr.. Corey-or any one else
she chooses.
Let us conhne ourselves to Mr.
Corey. She has no right to marry him
no." said she; "and why?"
Because a loveless marriage can
never be right"
"But who says it isn't q love
match?" she went on, forgetting her
anger in her desire to convince him OF
the futility of interfering with Helen's
engagement Mr.. Corey is a charm
ing man. Why should not Helen care
for him?"
You are sacrificing her"
siAs though 1 could make Helen
marry any one she did not wish to,
returned Mrs. Palmer with a low
| laugh. my dear boy, If you feel ike
that, pray go away uhlAl you colle y
your senses
4 shall not go away until 7 have
seen Helen" he said doggedly
Tom, [ beg of you
ssWhy are you two glowering at each
other like Kilkenny cats?' cried a
fresh young voice from the doorway.
Glow are YOU, Tommy" and Helen
Palmer. slender, dark-eyed. clad all in
soft shimmering gray, entered the
room and held out her hand in smiling
Now that the moment had arrived.
words failed him.
Noting his hesitation she smiled at
hin. again. Have you come to proffer
your CONGRATULATIONS in persona" she
NO not quite" he said. "suu sup
pose one is bound to say something
about the clever bargain you have
made. That you Of all people should
prefer money to love"
what a perfectly horrid thing to
say" she returned, Indignantly. "Do
you suppose because you are a mem
Der of the family you are privileged to
/ be as disagreeable as you like p
ST suppose loving you Is being dis
agreeable" he returned modify. Mrs.
| Palmer had slipped from the room and
| they were DOtn TOO intent 10 near ON
/ er footsteps that came nearer up the
gravel waIk-up the steps-and were
nufied by the heavy rugs on the
porch outside.
Loving mel How perfectly absurd
| WHY didn't you say so before? And
not come here now
st came to save you from sacrificing
yourself to a 1oveless marriage" he
returned, grandiloquently.
ooh, Tommy, you are too funny.
she laughed softly She raised her
eyes and looked steadily into his weak.
| Eoodlooking face.
Tommy she said gently. you
must not think that have any feeling
but real honest liking for Mr.. Corey. 7
respect him care for him
ssOf course he Is a. very rich man.