The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
The EVENING Story
In Another Light.
(By Minnie Nelson Hinds. !

! -Id. o.ltSriy, as ne gazed at the little
gold circle in his big brown palm.
The diamond seemed to twinkle AT
MN all is over" as he lifted his
glance to the mutinous. fascinating lit
tie figure before him.
l. GlVen-one unreasonable woman a
loVer VINO refuses to be a doormat,
engagement at an end; man is politely
requested to make himself scarce. and
me added in sarcastic tones-''there
eoesnt seem to be anything else left
The girl with the gentian-blue eyes
smoothed the lovelocks that would es-
cape. and settled her back comb firmly
| selfish"
| selfish?" he snapped "You know
tnat Jack is in love with you"
Nonsense!" answered Elsa. forget
llng herself, and allowing a shadow OF
facts of the case: You are going away
Tor a month, and Doris has invited me
to her house party. You object be-
cause she has a good-looking with
sly glance from under the long
black lash es-"brother. and expect me
to stay at home like a man. just
won't do it," she finished emphatical-
ly.
Very WE'LL" said Ned, firmly: though
white line formed around his Well
cut lips. 81 glad to know what a
woman's love consists Of" Disdainful-
ly, yet longingly, he looked at the top
of Elsa's pretty head with its coronet
braid of soft brown hair. She was
a most desirable vision. and his heart
beat fast. How could he give her up {!
Jealous? Yes! The thought OF Elsa iiv-
ing in the same house with fascinating
Jack Denton. for month, was more
than he could stand. In his minds
eye he could see that fellow eternal
ly at her side leaning over the piano
and gazing devotedly into Elsa's eyes
as she sang, while his glance convey
ed unutterable things, floating down
the river in the still cool shadows,
while Jack read his latest fad in poets,
motoring in his new car. confound
himi Decidedly Ned felt that he was
justified and Elsa had no right to tor
ture him.
fnal?' asked Ned. colby.
"Quite." replied the girl, with
fnality in her tone.
Ned dropped the ring carelessly in
to his pocket. lifted his hat formally,
and turned away in silence.
Elsa walked slowly along the rose
bordered path toward the house.
I'm glad of It," she said to herself
defantly. "I won't cry" The tears
rolled down her flushed cheeks. There
isn't a man living worth crying for,
wonder If he will go to Denver just
the same"
Ned's uncle was the head of a big
concern. and his dear
shoes when he made good" as he
phrased it. Ned had done we'll, and now
had come the chance to prove whether
he could handle the big trade In the
west.
"Only a month" said Ned. as he
strobe away "She knows just how |
much it means to us-Oh! forgot. |
there isn't any us now Well, she
never could have cared. or she would |
have given in
Ned packed his grip that night with |
a firm determination never to come |
back east again. He had intended |
taking the 6 clock train. butt
may as we'll see her once more he |
said to himself miserably. 1T wifi be |
the last time"
Meanwhile, Elsa was listlessly dress |
ing for the last dance of the season.
Ned had gone e and l may as Wen
she gloomily patted and pulled
princess gown of daffodil liberty about
her dainty figure
1T shall not tell any one yet" she
sighed, as she opened her jewel case,
and took out its choicest treasure
This consisted Of a necklace compos-
ed of tiny heads of beaten gold; across
the front five fawless sapphires alter
water. The effect of this combination
On Elsa Christy's throat was all that
could be desired.
AS she waited for the carriage in
gave a last glance at herself in the
ong mirror. 1T certainly fits she
said critically. 81 wish Ned could see
t.
A shadow darkened the glass. Ere
she could turn. cold steel touched her
cheek and a hoarse voice said. Gimme
hem stones quick. Don't holler, or I'll
plug yer, see?" and a hairy hand
.umbled with the neck of her wrap.
The girls Mortified gaze took in the
,raof1ra hahiT1d the drVnASS of |
her throat told her that she had lost
he power to scream even had she dar-
I'd. The man would certainly kill her.
His villainous face told its own tale.
nan away, as she gasped, "Oh! don't
ouch me. and I'll give it to you"
How she hated to give up her
precious chain; there was no way out
~ # Their only maid had retired early
With the toothache. Father and
mother we're at the theatre, and the
had been sent for her cha
,eron. She was utterly alone. Fumb-
uddenly felt the floor rising and sway
ng away from the burglar, she toppled
o the rug in a faint
Ere the man could stoop to the
PROSTATE figure there was a crash at
he big hall window. and Ned sprang
through the splintered points from the
,iazza A long reach-a scientific blow,
With a big fellows full weight behind
t. and the burglar was crumpled up
n the corner.
HE won't come out of that right
way" said Ned. as he searched the
nan and pocketed his revolver.
Elsa came back to consciousness I'M
Ter shower Of half-freightened
s'Darling, darling! Did he hurt your"
Ned. as she chung desperate
v to him.
mo! but those dreadful eyes," she :
hivered Mercy" as she caught
light of the huddled figure. as he &
cad Ned7" 6
mot he said Ned contemptuously I
They're tough g
"Oh! do get him out of the way.
uick Ned" sobbed the the unstrung | =