The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-09
THE EVENING STORY
Old Home Week.
(By Lulu Johnson.

through from cover to cover, from the
first glazing line. "Old Home Week, "
curry Job Print" on the last page Of
the cover. Somehow the little booklet
! seemed to have almost the value of q
message from home. He could even
editor of the Mercury" had written
and which portions were the product
of the Rev. John Dudley, the Presoy-
terrain minister, who has literary
aspirations.
One paragraph in particular APP
pealed to him. 1t ran: 1--WE have set
date later than most of the old home
weeks, SO that as we, the home stay
conclusion the harvest OF the year, so
may the homecomers bring with them
the first fruits of their prosperity and
their talents
had underscored this paragraph, and
Sugden felt with a glow of pride that
his new-found fame had reached even
to the old home. 1t was only IN the
last few months that he had gained
the position as an illustrator for which
he had fought, and fame was still very
sweet to him. He could see visions of
the old home, the quiet, shady streets,
the trees now gorgeous in their au-
tumnal tints, as he sat down ana wrote
note of regret to the famous lion
hunter who had sought to add him 90
her collection at Newport for that
week.
AS the train drew near the old town
some weeks later, he peered from the
windows as eagerly as boy.
On both sides of the car excited
races were pressed against the glass
locating familiar spots. and when a,
last the long line of cars swung
around the point and the gray old
breakwater came into sight, the cas
voice was by no means the least
vociferous.
1t was pleasant to meet the recep-
ton committee with their pompous
which were followed by the more gen
uine handclasps. 1t was still more
pleasant to make his way up the
street and get a welcome on every
hand, but through it all Sugden was
conscious of one lack: the absence of
one person who alone could make Old
Home Week a success to him. For
the first time he realized that the
week meant to him Elizabeth Grant
ley. and it was to see her that he had
come.
As he crossed the foaming little riv-
er that cut the town in two he re-
membered the last time that he stood
on the span. He and Eliza beth had
swirling waters in the uncertain
moonlight, while gently she had put
from her the hopes that had risen in
her breast, and had sent him on his
Uses. IF you really want me, you will
come back for me without a promise"
she had whispered. 81 could not bear
to think that 1 was holding you back
in your career, Billy" He had pro-
tested and argued, but the girl had
steadfastly held to her point. She
would not marry him, she would not
even consider an engagement. If he
was to fight his way in the world he
must be left free.
To no n
point OF view. He had wanted her to
marry him and go with him in search
of a career. When she had refused he
had flung himself away, and he had
not written. Now he knew that she had
been right, and he longed to tell her
so. There was a bureau of infor-
nation through which visitors might
locate their old friends, but the sweet
faced girl in charge of the registry
list shook her head regretfully. I'VE
tried to locate the Grantleys to reach |
them with an announcement, she ex-
planned, but they appear TO nave
dropped from sight completely. Will
make a note of your address in case
we do locate them" Sugden thanked
her and went out feeling as though, |
after all, his coming had been a mis-
take. He slipped into the opera house
to listen for a while to the formal ex-
ercises of the opening day, but he !
found the prosy oratory tiresome and
soon sought the open air. Bridge ana
Court streets were brought out Drill
liantly by arches OF incandescene
warmth a pushing. perspirinE crowd
made their way up and down the
streets and jostled each otner INTO the
gutter, while the confetti was scatter
ed about and the feather tlcKlers were
in evidence.
with a gesture of disgust, Sugden
turned from the crowd. His mood was
not atune to merrymaking ana ne
sought the more quiet parts OF tne
own. Almost unconsciously he took
he familiar paths that led to the lit
lie cottage where the Grantleys had
made their home, and presently ne
found himself leaning against the
'ence that inclosed the well-kept gar
len. Here he lighted a cigar, and
With the soft gloom Of the tree
shaded yard for his screen, he pro-
ected from his fancy scenes wherein
1e and Elizabeth had figured. He
between the apple tree and the horse
chestnut. He could picture the dainty
isure in filmy white, and could almost
lear her hail of I'm out here, Billy,
n the hammock" as the gate chckeo
behind him.
Then his mind conjured the vision
# the wistful faced girl leaning upon
he railing of the bridge and pleading
With him to keep his freedom that he
night make his fight free handed. He
remembered those last few moments
When he had declared that he would
ave nothing more to do with a girl {
Who feared to face poverty with him. 1
nd even now it seemed that he could '
lear her sobs as she had walked with
ear blinded eyes down the street l
yhile he had leaned against the wall I
nd had watched her go without 7
ingle word of comfort.
Somehow the sobbing seemed {
trangely real. 1t was almost as '
hough a woman there in the shadow :
{ the trees was letting loose the
oodgates of her grief. So real did !,
he sound seem that he flung away his :
,0ar and varlted the low fence, MAX