The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-16
THE EVENING STORY
Down Panama Way.
(By Louise ]. Strongly

uer cousin Cnarl16 and ALT came out
the side door and stood drawing on
| their gloves.
Don't get reckless, old man." Char
lie counseled, as if continuing a con-
versation; "Retta means all right.
She's little f1ighty. that's all.'
That's what I used to think" ALI
returned, gloomily. but I'm convfnc-
ed now that she really shrinks from a
marriage with me. suppose she
doesn't love me as she thought she did
when she became engaged"
Charlie shook his head. 'Oh, no,
All, you're mistaken; she's wrapped
up in YOU"
Looks like it," ALI laughed sarcas-
tically. This is the third time she's
backed out, declaring she was not
haven't wanted to hurry her. I know
girl gives up good deal when she
marries. But a fellow with nobody,
and never home to remember, ma
turally thinks considerably of having
a home of his own. especially with a
little wife that's just He broke
off for an instant, and then went on;
m able to provide for her in the
style she's accustomed to or 1 would
not have asked her to marry me. And
II we are ever to be married there's
no use in waiting longer. If she's
found that she cares for some
None of that. Alf!'' Charlie inter-
rupted. "Retta flirts a little, but that's
all. Have you told her how seriously
you regard the postponement?''
mo, and I'm not going to, either"
ALT declared, sulkily.
Someone should. She-'
Someone shouldn't, and shan't!"
ALI said fiercely. mo girl is going to
pose If 1 howled around and raised a
great racket she would give in. But
We'll never be married until she's
perfectly willing, without outside pres
sure. I'll get out Of the way for a
while, and let her have a chance to
find herself-won't even write to her
I've influenced her too much, maybe
Charlie Still shook his head, but Of
fered no further remonstrance. merely
asked: I'm what direction are you
going to perambulate, and when %
"Oh, down Panama way and as soon
as can fix my business to leave it,
and that won't take many days"
Charlie whistled. mot going In for
an engineering job in that sickly hole.
I hope.'r
Il may find job when I get there,
been interested in the big ditch
scheme. TIN be a diversion to ex-
anime 1T at close range
"And Retta-" Charlie began.
It'll tell Retta, and leave her free
to find herself, as 1 said. And 1 don't
want any one to interfere-to say one
word to influence
the house on the way to the gate, and
Retta sank Imply upon a bench. She
had been too startled to move at first,
and then perceived the impossibility of
revealing her presence. 1t was caves
dropping, but she was not thinking of
that-nor of the errand to Aunt Anna,
that had brought her across lots
through the rose arbor. The finding
of herself had come with a sudden
ness that shook her breathless as she
1i4fn 10 had
how much her happiness depended
upon All, and Alfs faithful love, nor
how very dearly she loved him.
Poor fellow" she sighed tenderly,
wiping her eyes. Poor fellowi-how
selfish I've been, when 1 knew he
never had a home-and how he is
looking forward to one of his own.
He's such home body, and I've been
him. keeping him in lodgings
when he hates it so-and-and. when
I want-yes, I do-only I'm such a
fyawayi 1 do want to make the dear
boy home. And he's going off TOTO |
. Where is Panama way? A sickly |
hole, Charlie called it. oh. he mustn't! |
He mustn't" |
She fed home, into the library and |
began a search for information con-
corning Panama-way. a search that |
was somewhat hindered by her link |
the encyclopedia. the physical geog- |
raphy and magazine articles. she soon |
acquired more knowledge of the coun- |
try than her erstwhile boarding school |
teacher would have deemed possible, |
for Retta's strong point was not learn |
ing. She was just a sweet little girl, ,
womanly and tender, with careless, !
shrinking from responsibility, engen-
dered by her entire freedom from
such. But now her heart was aroused |
and she was aghast with horror at the |
dea of ALT, her own Alt! going down
Panama way to endure all sorts of |
torments and dangers. and finally die
Of the dreadful fevers! He should not!
somehow, and it must be done at once,
,or he would be making arrangements
10 leave his businessmen this min
ute. perhapsl
She rushed away to consult her moth
er. but that good lady. being deeply |
in some charitable function,
was out Indefinitely, and Retta, feel
ng no time could be wasted, deterrnin-
had had the advice of an older head she
would have been less precipitate, and
rrevocable in her actions
I'm moving clean swath-burning
nv ships behind me-" she commented
,onfusedly, in the middle of a tenn
busy afternoon. in which
she did some very unusual and uneon-
ventional things.
.hem-I suppose the bride-to-be's moth
,r is usually to the fore, and the b.-to-
De- hangs back in blushing confusion-
,ut I can't wait on mamma when Alf's
getting ready this very minute for
Panama way! I've got to fix 1t so
here's no getting out of 1t, and leave
ne q rag of-and don't care. much,
# they do stare-and I guess I'm sure
If dear old ALI"
Yet she was bit anxious as she
waited in a convenient spot for way
aying him as he left his oflce-if-if
Aft were bent and determined on Pan
ana way she would be in pretty pre-
1icsuenti She whipped around the
sorner. apparently oblivious of him un-
II She almost coilided with him. Then