The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-10
TIE EVENING STORY

~ Gretchen Graydon.

she drew 1t away, purSed her lips
daintily, and flung back at him. ooh!
It's the gown, is it2 Thank you for
telling me- shall be sure to wear II
the next time The MacCarty comes 10
see us"
"Confound The MacCartys'' Hether-
ton CALCULATED. I'D IKE to break his
head for him, the presumptuous oaf
What business has he even to admire
you %
ssMayn't a cat look at king ?"
Philomena interrupted demureiy, her
eyes dancing in the screen Of their long
lashes.
She had the charm of infinite va
riety. Some days she was positively
ugly, others ravishingly beautiful This
was one of the beautiful days. she
edge. She owed Hetherton for several
things-chief1y Miss Mannering- He
should be paid in full. He had never
proposed to her outright, but all along
assumed gaily that she would marry
him, speaking openly. In a light COM
edy manner that might mean every
thing or nothing. She had not resent
ed the light comedy manner, being by
no means sure Of her own mind.
Still it had been distinctly aggravat-
ing to have him run off after the Man
nering girl the same as the other men,
For two whole days he had kept in the
new beauty's train; worse still, he had
come back to Philomena not merely
repentant, but with the air of one who
feels that he has discharged the duty
of a proper man.
"A cat may look at king-the
proverb is silent as to queens Heth-
erton retorted. Moreover, you can
scarcely stretch it to 1T an elephant,
which is The MacCarty's animal pro-
totype.'
Now 1 know how I came to prom
Use him two dances adore elephants
always did, Philomena murmured,
refiectively, as if aside.
Hetherton caught both her hands,
and drew her to her feet. DO you
mean to keep the promise?" he asked,
his face darkening. She smiled up at
him audaciously, as she answered:
Who knows2 He may prefer to sit
them out. But If he should, you needn [
mind. we will take care to keep out OF
earshot of you and Miss Mannering
"Ohl I see," Hetherton laughed, not
quite easily, but with magical tighten
ing of cOuntenance. must say tnat
will be. handsome of you" he went on;
then, his hands slipping up to her shoul-
ders. Sweetheart. let's run away from
every thing-the grand ball, the eie-
plant, the Mannering-run away ana
get married. Listen. It will be SO easy;
only a spin cross country to that dear
little stone church we saw last week
we'll take along witnesses-and tele-
graph for our traps to follow US. II
'twere done, when 'twere done then
LWeIe wei IWSI6 QOll6
how much we shall escape, all the fuss
and frills and upsetments OF a big we'd
ding. And this is the only way TO
escape them. I know your aunt has
her heart set on st. Thomas, with Il
bridesmaids, and all the rest of It. Say
yes, there's a darling / Will 1--we just
to keep you from being sorry for 1t,
even one time
1T sounds enticing," Philomena said.
then with a reflective sigh: But 1t
can't he done YOn if I ran Of
with you, the Mannering would ine-
vitality get The MacCarty and his mill
lions. That's what she is here for and
that's what I'm bound not to let her
Have your joke" Hetherton grum-
bled, trying to draw her to his breast
She put MIN away with gentle digni-
ty, saying: But it is not joke. That's
let yourself be one of her bait gudge-
ons OH she's q shrewd piece-she
knows a man like The MacCarty means
a pick a wife as he has picked racing
stable. from among those other men
How do you know" Hetherton de-
maHded.
Phflomena opened her eyes very wide.
why He told me So" she said You
know we are great friends. and talk Of
many things And he is really vastly
entertaining-such big bulk of raw
human nature, with streaks of wit, and
other strea1s of understanding.
through its honest ignorance"
'H-ni You are somewhat a belle
How many times has he proposed to
you?" Hetherton asked.
"Only once, the first day" Philo-
mena said smiling wickedly. Il asked
time for consideration, but he wouldn't
give it. He wanted a straight yes or
no; but consoIed me by telling me that
If after while he was not engaged
he would give me another chance. So
1 must be sure and make I'D my mind
I know he is not engaged, not unless
Miss Mannering has landed him since
morning.
rs your mind made up?'' Hetherton
asked teasingly.
Philomena shook her head. but said
brightly: Not yet: still. there's no
telling what may happen between
dances"
Then you refuse my plan and
everything Hetherton said, paling
visibly.
Philomena shot a glance at him. and
shivered family. but said, with an ac-
cent of gentle surprise: why. 1 did
that some time ago
you Will fight the Mannering wo-
man for the MacCarty. You would
not even raise q finger for me- Heth-
erton began bitterly.
Philomena laughed, q soft, malicious
laugh. Zone saves a novice from
drowning. A swimmer who knows the
waters is apt to regard help as an i'm
pertinence," she said.
Hetherton set his teeth. ''Good-by.'
he said, hardly above his breath, hold
ing out his hand. Philomena looked
at him doubtfully, and asked: Where
are you going ?"
IT don't know; to the devil most
likely" he answered recklessly.
BEG pardon, telegram for you, sir
q footman said, coming to the pair
with yellow envelope on his tray.
Hetherton tore it open, glanced at its
contents, then stood twisting 1t between
his fingers and smiling an odd. dazed
smile After a long breath he took
Philmena in his arms and kissed her,
saying in her ear:
Luck has stood your friend. I'm a
beggar-or shall be in two hours more
That was a call for margins 1 can no