The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-28
The EVENING STORY.
Little Girl in Blue.
By Chester Farrington.)


| tial. Phillipa had thrice asked if I
didn't want light, and had thrice re-
ceived the same negative answer. I
was loath to spoil the condolences.
Now. honestly. Tod" said Phillipa.
wasn't there ever a girl in your life
VINO was different from the rest
wasn't there one who made you think
and feel and plan as you had never
| thought or felt or planned before :.
In short. Tod. at some time in your
life hasn't The Girl put in an appear
ance?"
I leaned forward eagerly.
My dear Phillipa, you certainly
"Bosh." snapped she. "I know just
the silly speech you were going to
make. = don't mean that boy and
girl affair of ours you are always
mean hasn't there been a real bit of
romance"
I pretended to think portentously.
! Then sighed.
said 1. Therefore. I'll confess. Yes,
Phillipa, there was one"
II knew it knew it," said Phil
lipa gleefully "And you've never told
went on chidingly. ''weli, sir, open
your heart now. and disgorge the
whole romance
I laid my half-consumed cigar in an
ash tray, and settled myself comfort
ably.
81 think it was something like eight
Eight years ago!" echoed Phillipa.
And not a word of it to me in all this
time"
"She was very young then. AS I
say, L met her and fell in slove with
her"
what was she like?" demanded
Phillipa.
was dressed in blue"
definite and the second is very import
ant" she observed mockingly.
"She was dressed in blue" l re-
peated sternly. cit is important. I
shall carry that color to my grave.
How romantic" said she.
ct fell in love with her
$50 YOU said" she remarked impa-
tiently, "but what made you fall In
love with herr"
1.-THE blue dress and her smile. SAID
T. ct was a most wonderful smile. II
opened up worlds you'd never dreamed
OF 1 remember when / first saw ner
She seemed different from all the other
girls I'd ever seen. My. heart slipped
its moorings then and there. I could
never call it my own afterward- IL
"Did she know it?' asked Phillipa.
81 can't say" said I. Sometimes 1
think she did, and again I think she
why didn't you find out?" she de-
manded.
II Intended to in time. but 1 only
knew her year when paused.
when what?'' said Phillfpa with
fine disregard of grammar
''She died" 1 said very softly.
"Oh!" said Phillipa, and then for
time we were silent.
"I was very, very lonely after tnat.
Nothing was the same. There was a
great aching void in life that nothing
could ILL., ,.r.,
why haven't you ever mentioned
her before2 ?" she asked lE.it-i
"wel1, it's rather painful
"Of course she said quickly For
az the little girl in blue had lived.
would have been very different. 1
know it would have been far happier
She was such quiet, trusting little
soul. She knew nothing of the world,
nor of money, nor of ambition. She.
1 think, was quite content with me,
and was more than content with
her"
or to her memory" asked she.
Always" said 1, emphatically.
We were silent again for time.
Dear little girl in blue" L muir
INJURED.
"I'm-Im awfully sorry, Tod, sne
perhaps I'd better explain that she
didn't really die" said /. ITO other
people she simply changed-grew In
mind and in worldly knowledge; Dut
to me she died.
"Oh!'' said Phillipa meaningly.
''She wanted more worlds to conquer
when she grew" went on she was as
my simple little girl in blue there came
a proud, ambitious woman, VINO DC
all the world could give
money, position, power"
ssDid or them ?' asked Pnlll1pa. |
They were offered to her."
why didn't she take them then?'
she, said.
THAT 1 don't know" said I.
perhaps she grew tired of pride and |
ambition" said Phillipa. Perhaps there |
were times when she wanted to be just |
the little girl in blue again.
Lets have a light" said Phillipa.
Don't" said I. II wonder If she did
ever want to he the little girl in blue
again"
1 sprang to my feet and began to
pace up and down.
Then why wasn't she?" 1 demand
ed.
"Does she want to be now?'' 1 cried.
Lets have a light said she weakly.
ignored the suggestion.
Does she want to be now?" I said,
stopping directly before her.
Don't Tod" she said. You
mustn't"
She shall be If she wants to be-
Think of all the plans that have
been made for me, Tod. mustn't.
.'Drat the plans, You shall be just
what you want-just what you yourself
want" said I.
/ felt her hand on my sleeve. Then
the drew me toward her.
at want to be the little girl in blue
7our little girl in blue" she said with
something like a sob.'
II, a rnin1lte she WAS In NV arms