The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-14
TIE EVENING yTOR r


care to advertise to the whole family
the fact that my affections were be-
slowed upon a man so utterly I'M
worthy of them
You viii have to announce the
breaking of the engagement some
time suggested Castron, but I guess
it's better this way. Wen talk It over
on the way in to town. You have not
given me a chance to defend myself
yet. It will be ali right when / get
a chance to talk to you quietly.
Ethel smiled. That was precisely
what she wished to avoid She would
/ take the deg cart and have the little
groom go along Castron noticed the
smile and guessed her thoughts. When
the cart was brought around the back
seat was unoccupied.
James said he had to send the boy
to town. was the explanation he
will be waiting 1or you at the station
Ethel smiled She walked over
where her small brother was trying TO
coax the goldfish from the fountain
basin with a bent pin and Dit OF
bread. He looked UP guiltily at her
approach, but was visibly relieved
when he saw who it was.
Don't you want to ride in to town
/ with Mr.. Castron and me ~ she smiled.
Nope he said, decide eddy.
''Il give you that air gun II you
WILL she bribed.
at costs 50" he warned.
Il know she agreed. Hurry, or
Mr.. Castron viii miss his train.
George raced across the lawn ana
climbed into the back seat. = m go
! ing, too he announced, gleefully
1 Frank Castron said som ething beneath
the cover of his musta che and scoWled
as he helped Ethel into her seat on
the box.
ternined not to afford him any oppor-
tunity fora tete-a-tete. He thought tnaI
he had frustrated her design when ne
had bribed the head coachman to sena
the tiger to town. but ne mad not
counted on George. He settled MINI
self in his seat and Ethel took up the
4 lines.
They covered the first half mile in 81
Hence. Then he broke the quiet.
want to tell you he began that that
George will hear" she whispered:
ssPlease spare me the annoyance OF
having the wretched story spead all
'sBut if only YOU would listen for a
moment he pleaded Let George
drop off and walk back. He won
Il do she said. severely. do not
make me think any worse of you than
I do already"
"But it is all such a miserable mis-
take" he pleaded, land you have not
given me a chance for a single WOro
since 1t happened.
For answer Ethel turned to speak to
the boy and Castron gritted his teeth.
Just five minutes and the whole mis-
cradle mistake would be explained. II
he could not get this chance there was
no hope She would return his letters
unread. Just as she had sent back the
note he had written last night DIT
/ of paper blowing across the ROAD
frightened the horses and demanded
! her attention. Castron leaned over the
/ back of the seat.
.sIlI give you a. dollar to fall off
and go back to the house he ofrered-
ISIS is going to give me TWO. ne
s.T'Ii make it Ave." he offered.
George was resolute. Il made a bar
gain" he declared. Twouldn't be
&C. Castron faced the front again.
'sI congratulate you upon your forte
thought in bribing Georgia" he said,
bitterly you seem determined to al
low me no opportunity to explain
s'There is no possible explanation. =
she safd decidedly. 1.-The least you can
do is to keep silent for the few minutes
Longer that you are to be burdened
with my company.
VERY we'll" he said shorty II
Won are determined / suppose there IS
no use in trying to prove you wrong
She ayerted her head, and as they
bowled along through the leafy ave
niue. Castron. all unconscious or the
tunault in her mind wherein pride ana
affection waged war. sat in silent an
ger reviewing the events of the past
tWenty-four hours.
At Christmas Edith had given him
a loclxet inclosing her picture. Yes
ferday she had opened the case and
had found therein another picture and
a lock of hair that in no way suggest
ed her own chestnut curls.
Before he could explain she had run
into the house and no amount of en-
treaty could induce her to listen to his
exclamation.
For two miles no one spoke. George
wriggled uneasily on the back seat
Ehoofs beating on the smooth road
seemed to Castron TO count the lost
At last. in desperation he felt in his
pocket. There was bill he had
slipped into his change pocket to avoid
, the trouble of taking out his pocket
book in the station Gently he with
= drew the bill and for an instant held
it behind his back, then. certain that
George had seen It. he released ms
hold and let it fiutter to the road.
Quietly the boy slipped of the tall
board and scrambled in the dust. CAS-
tron turned to Ethel.
1--WE are almost in town" he said.
Il insist upon being given the right to
Hush" she warned; "Georgie will
hear"
ears" he smiled. "Georgie IS about
half a mile back"
Ethel half turned IN her seat 10
convince herself, then turned to him
again
Il suppose you bought him off, she
said scornfuIly. You told me you
were aware of his price. 1 suppose
shall have to listen since cannot drive
and stop-up my ears, too"
ssIu drive" he volunteered III you
want to stop up your ears
what is it you wish to say ?" she
demanded. ignoring his generous Of
! fer.
''Just this" he said eagerly THAT
is not my locket at all.
''As though l did not recognize II
she seoffed-