The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-23
TIE EVENING STORY
Hur,lble Pie.

" III angry fearful eyes
Gomez" Dora repeated, the jndig-
nant red fading from her cheeks.
Yes, gone-and 1 hold you little
better than murderer, Miss" with
which startling declaration she was
leaving, when Dora caught her arm.
Mrs. Hale, please tell me, do you
mean that Steve is really gone now? p
Yes, do mean that he is really
gone noW!' Mrs. Hade's eyes snapped
with vindictive satisfaction at the girl s
distress. He went across country IN
MS buggy, meaning to stop at his
uncle's TO tell them goodby. He'll
take the train at Lynchburg. oh, I'll
never see him again, and it's your do
ing, you good-for- nothing" She
left the unpleasant epithet unspoken
and srallxed away.
Dora fed to her room and fell upon
her bed in tempest Of grief. 1t had
not seemed possible that Steve could
carry out his threat and leave her. AS
she thought of it, the long years ahead
without him seemed to envelop and
smother her She sprang up. gasping.
She must get out.
I'm going for a long ride, mamma"
she announced later, and pulling her
cycling cap over her swollen eyes, she
rushed away.
She skirted the village with head
down, vowing she would not speak to a
soul, but an ipsistent voice hailed her
from small house out on the road,
dnu MISS 1GlSSX Alien, me OlQ 1ldl0
seamstress. hurried to her.
'Of all people in the worldr' Dora
groaned, dreading the sharp eyes and
usually sharper tongue Of Miss Prissy.
I've heard all about 1t, Dora Miss
Prissy said, bluntly, but with unwonted
kindness. Il happened to be there when
Mrs. Hale came from your house. and
her wrath boiled over to me. I was
just going to see you. I-I-Want to
advise you-ny dear girl; don't let fool
ish anger and foolish pride ruin your
life. Never mind what Steve said or
did. You know he loves you, and you
love him. Let everything go. Think Of
the long years
.Oh, Miss Prissy," Dora broke in trag-
ically, Il do think of them and how I'm
to live through them I can't! 1t will
kill mer'
Yes, you can-you will-live through
them, and grow withered and hard and
sharp tongued and unlOVely as l have.
Folks can't die any time they please.
and you can live with heart like a
desert of ashes.'
oh, Miss Prissy, do you mean
Dora hesitated, the unasked question IN
her wide eyes.
L mean that I was a hot headed,
proud young fool, would not yield an
inch. I told him to go. and he went and
never came back. might have brought
him back at first, but I wouldn't; and
see what am
But. Miss Prissy. Steve declared he
would go If I-if L
Yes Miss Prissy interrupted.
that's mans way And you told him
to go, never dreaming he'd do it.
that's woman's way. And you're both
miserable. He'll marry, likely. though
he'll never care as much for another.
That's mans way, too. And you
you're not the kind that changes Look
at me and see what you'll bel But
w
you as q warning. Make it up with
Steve now, at any cost. Write to him,
and be sure you eat your share of
humble pie. You deserve il, 1 dare
say, for you are a bit of a hirt. Dora.
Write at once, and every dav till YOU
hear from him And she bolted into
the house, leaving Dora staring at the
unexpected romance, the secret Of Miss
Prissys lonely life.
What a pitiful tragedy, rather And
one could live on and on. Oh. if she
could see Steye-it might be weeks be-
fore a letter-if she only could see
She stopped abruptly. shocked with the
of thought that popped into
her head The next moment she
swerved from her course and sped
away on the trail of Steve.
She was uncertain of the distance. 1t
might be fifteen or twenty-five miles,
but long or short, she would make it
in time. He was going to stop at his
uncle's. That was a guide post.
The open surprise and curiosity Of
10 his movements from the flushed
pursuer. little more than stranger
TO them, overwhelmed her with an
agony Of embarrassment. It was plain
that they had heard nothing of the
short engagement and its violent rup-
lure; and she was not in a position to
explain, for only humiliating defeat
night meet her attempt at reconcilia- !
he ALL +n
With an obviously unfiattering opinion
If a girl who was confessedly, chasing !
1 young man, and who only blushed |
and looked distressed-instead |
If giving satisfactory reasons.
THAT was a big piece Of humble pie |
lit almost choked mel" she gasped |
when once more pedaling for dear life, |
but anyhow, I know he's going to stop |
vice more. and intends taking the |
Early train at Lynchburg-it was worth /
{. to learn so much. / CAM will make !
Noon came and passed. the weary |
niles seemed to stretch interminably, |
)ut she pushed on, feeling that the |
'nly impossibility in existence was fail |
ire. A friendly boy assured her of the /
cute. and gave her directions for saw /
ng a couple of miles.
This m6neuver came near being her !
for on the cross-cut she met |
'oung Lawson a one-time sutton, whom i
he had rejected in favor of Steve.
Why, Miss Dora" he stopped.
blocking her way. ARE you lost, or
merely working OF injured feelings?"
Neither" she replied CURLY, at
tempting to pass.
He ungallantly wheeled his horse,
her. saying slyly: Your
ace answers as to your feelings.
night ask how you like the ack your
self, but I'm generous. Oh" he
aughed at her look Of surprise, its
10 secret that Steve shook you and
0ut out this morning."
You are very wisei" she retorted,
to pass
"Oh. it's common wisdom, he
trimmed still preventing her. 1T
wasn't gentlemanly of Steve to jilt a
irl so publicly Come now. let me
make you Mrs Lawson at once, and
QUILL turn the laugh on him good and
lardi"
ssSteve did not tilt me- was to