The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-31
TIE EVENING STORY
ST. Martins summer.

u7ef, Nnen the spirit OF r1penesS which
seems TO have fed. once more holds the
land with its intoxicating breath. The
fields were studded with tiny Michael
mas daisies, and the hedgerows were
brilliant with early golden rod; but.
somehow, you fancied you smelt the
scent Of the roses and mignonette, as
well.
There was quite group of people
out on the small hotel verandas and
most Of them were gossiping. Spinning
up the populsr-shaded country road
was a smart little trap. Across the ten
MS eour.s the occupants were plainly
visible; they We're James Walsh and
Mrs John Burgess.
Il say, girls" cried one of the group
on the veranda, it's a crying shame to
let that elderly person cut US out with
the richest man we have up here-a
crying shame; that's what it is, And
don't think any Of US has an atom Of
grit or go or we'd take the wind ouE
Of Mrs. Burgess sallsi'
Why, she must be all Of a hundred
exclaimed another.
They say that Mr.. Walsh knew her
years ago. Wonder where he picked her
up? In the ark, I guess.
'Oh, my dear, long before that"
drawled another mockingly. Long be-
fore Noah's time women mad ceased to
do their hair in that absurd fashion"
Then the quiet girl with the embroid-
cry on her lap spoke softly:
She has a lot OF hair, anyhow. and
it's beautiful. and the way she dresses
It suits her features. She reminds me
OF Albert Durer's Madonna
Who's that Miss Tyson2'' interrupt
ed a young fellow in tennis flannels,
suddenly appearing in the doorway
who's like Durer's Madonna"
we were speaking of Mrs. Burgess .
looking up from her embroidery
Madonna? Fo1-de-roli'' cried the 9TH
er girls in concert. She's a plain, quiet.
poke Of a woman-and a designing one
at that She's encouraging him fear
fully"
You see, Miss Tyson observed Billy.
the young chap in hannels, we only
get one or two big matrimonial catches
a season up here It's a waste Of time
nowadays to listen to the impecunious
ardors OF early youth. Consequent
Billy.s words were ambiguous enough;
but the comprehensive little sweep
which he made with his glance and sun
Drowned hand. including veranda, girls
and all was inimitably droll. Miss
Tyson's gray eyes laughed appreqiative-
~.
They were such nice: understanding
gray eyes, thought Billy Twas a
shame that embroidery should engross
so much Of their attention Even now
she showed signs OF taking it up again
and TO avoid such q catastrophe Billy
proposed a game of tennis
"Ali right" said Miss Tyson cheer
fully folding the bit OF linen about the
tiny hoop and slowing it away in tiny
bag.
The fancied likeness between Mrs
John Burgess and the Madonna OF
( cite
There was indeed. a similarity in the
weary features. more interesting than
beautiful, and in the dolorous. some
what constrained grace OF the stately
figure.
Mrs. Burgess was a woman of forty
five. Her manner. her aspect, was that
of one who had long since ceased wish
ing to attract. In point of fact, the
wish had never been pronounced. Since
her husbands death. which had oc-
CURED ten years previously. she had
never worn a color 1t is to be sup
posed that Mr. Burgess had loved her.
His had been her first and only offer OF
marriage; but in her girlhood her heart
had been given TO another.
Most people who knew Mrs. John
Burgess thought OF her as the mothes
of her children. She had q son in ths
west who was making great ventures
in cattle and horses. and she had a
married daughter in Paris who was
writing her constantly Of her socia
triumphs and prosperity. Yes, heI
children were full Of their own plans
and projects and once OF twice lately
Mrs. Burgess had been a bit surprised
to fnds herself feeling a little lonely and
forgotten=a chill presage of the au-
tumn winds Of life. Her summer, in
deed, had flown.
Then, just at the correct, psyea ologi-
cal moment. HE came-the man tc
whom as a girl, she had given her
heart.
Ali where we're the chill autumn
winds now? Tt was st. Martins sum
mer. instead
James Walsh was a middle aged
| portly, rich man, and Widower. He
/ had married somewhat early in his
career. a noted beauty A fortnight Of
wedlock had convinced him that he
and his bride had not a single taste II
| common; but being a businesslike man
I on his return from his tour de noct
he'd sized the matter up in this prac-
/ teal fashion:
| " Twas the pink chiffon dress at ths
! Van buyers bail which was reepon-
sibIe. Only, why wasn't it." Blu
| the why wasn't it, in this case hadn
worn pink chiffon dress; nor had sht
been at the Van buyers ball.
Mr.. Walsh had been d widower nov
/ for three years, and h e still sighed with
a half abashed sense OF relief.
no more matrimonial ventures fol
me-" he'd say TO himself with a laugh
although he had reason to believe tina
he could lay successful siege to sew.
eral feminine hearts-that he wal
/ quite capable of victory.
He had been spending August alone
up in the mountains; and he had en-
joyed month of fishing. tramping
and dreaming to his hearts content
/ On his way home he'd stop for a weel
or two at A certain little hotel. report
ed to have good cuisine. and rest
strained wrist before going back t.
/ business.
CHANGING casually over the hotel reg
lister, he saw the name OF Mrs. JohT
/ Burgess There arose in the mans
| breast a curious sensation; but be pull
! ed himself together.
How absurd ne upbraided himself
as he walked away from the desk, "a
/ IL there were not hundreds Of Joh'