The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-07
THE EVENING ST0R r
The Governors Daughter.

light hair, one hand toying with heI
riding whip. Around q corner OF the
driveway she caught a glimpse of the
stable boy bringing her saddle horse;
but 1t was not him that she looked.
Her gaze was concentrated on a tall
figure coming up the drive. a young
man IN dark suit very much the
worse for wear. Keatness could not
hide the fact that his coat was much
worn at the edges. Neverth eless he
carried himself with a certain assur-
ance. which the sight of Juliet Airing
ton, standing erect and expectant by
the door, did not in the least diminish.
He mounted the steps. Juliet stopped
playing with her riding whip, and
looked at him inquiringly. He raised
his hat.
Governor Arlington Is at home, Is
he not 2" he queried- His tones, Ike
his eyes were very direct.
Il really don't know" said Juliet,
with polite indifference.
Nothing daunted the young man
reached forward a thin, determined
brown hand and rang the bell.
Juliet gave him sidelong glance.
''de looks" she thought, "as II he
would stride up to the house of tate
itself, knock on the door and demand
if opportunity were within"
She turned suddenly Il beg your
pardon" she said. s'but I believe I
made a mistake just now. My father
went for a short ride before breakfast.
a side entrance. l think he Is in his
study. Do you wish to see him %
She waved aside the servant who had
come In answer to the bell, and led the
way herself, her trim heels tapping
now on the bare polished floor, now
sinking into rugs so soft that they
made no sound. At the door on the
right of the hall she paused, touched II
lightly with her knuckles, and IN re-
Spouse to the deep voice within IN
quiring What is it, Juliet?'' answered,
"A caller to see yous father and hung
wide the door. The young man thank
ed her and entered
When she returned at luneneon,
eyes and cheeks glowing brightly from
exercise, she found her father IN
very happy mood.
s'You look said Juliet, bending
over him. "as if you had found a gold
mine!' >.
ssBetter than that" he retorted.
'sI've found just the young man
want for my private secretary.
Juliet laughed. Don't you mean.
she said. slipping into her Oh chair 'fhat
The governor chuckIed. Il guess
you're right" he answered. land he
did it without a mite of pull" He
looked past his daughter, through the
windows, where a stretch of Woodland
could be seen. meilowing toward au-
tumn.
Most people find you that way,
father dear" said Juliet. with an APP
preciative glance
1.-THE best ones do" he museds
light on his rugged New England face.
The Arlingtons, father and son, had
been governors of that state whose
granite hills are not more: firm than
the hearts of its people. And the
wives of the governors had been .Wo-
men of tact and breeding who lived
quietly and frugally in the great col
onial house but who rose to state oe-
casions with a hospitality that was as
lavish as it was brilliant.
'-tsAnd you're very like 4Hena, Juliet.e
the governor was fond af sayingsfTf ? IL
YOUR mother was alive she would be
proud of the resemblance. The way
you rule this house and preside over II
shows you have q steady heart and
head, and your discernment of char
acter. IS really wonderful IN girl OF
what is the, young mans name,
father ?" went on juliet. breaking in
On his revery.
'Eh? oh. you mean my private sec
rotary? Faxon's his name John
Faxon. Comes of a good family, but
very poor. Worked his way through
college, and now he's ready for job.
81 see.'' said the girl slowly
The house was very gay that winter
with guests coming and going. and
Juliet came to rely on John Faxin
almost as much as her father did. He
was always ready to smooth away OBJ
stac1es. to- make the most Of difficult
He was courteous clever
and reserved.
The governors daughter was sur
by suitors. She was the belle
If every dance and dinner and dFiy-
ng party. But, though rumorr engag-
ID her first to this one and then to
hat, she made no sign.
when do you intend to give away
hat cool, young heart of yours? her
'ather questioned And to .whom?'
ITO the right man at the right
ime'' answered Juliet serenely, and
ripped away to see the floral decora- |
ions of the dinner table, for she was
a large house party, and |
t was not her custom to leave the de- !
ails to servants. She was the last to
etire that evening, and as she. stood in |
he great hall at the foot of the wide
taircase John Faxon lit her candle for /
Ter. Then he fingered, watching her
IS she went up the stairs, the candies
,low making a soft halo for the pale
sold. Of her head and the delicate
Deauty of her face. Half way up she /
,aused and looked over the banisters.
Ter lips were smiling. her eyes were
azzingly tender
:, 'sGood- night" said Faxon, half be-
eath his breath. still watching her.
John Faxon," she said quietly,
haven't you anything else to say to
ae?"
His face showed a battle between
ride and love, and pride assumed the
mastery. He shook his head
Nothing else he answered coldly.
sut the look OF alteration that he gave
er haunted her dreams that night,
nd for many nights after.
Outwardly their life went on exactly
he same. Faxon neither sought nor
yoided her. Both went quietly about
heir duties; the incident that had so
TIRED them seemed utterly forRoften
Winter melted into spring. and late
ne evening Juliet came in from a
1ng ramble in her garden. The es-
ence OF the flowers seemed still to
ling to her. dewy and fresh and inef-
able. Moonlight streamed in the win
ows of the great hall as she entered
: She went to the quaint mahogany
able for her silver candlestick. and