The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-14
The EVENING STORY
The Outer Darkness.
by Sidney III. Cole 4

was seated near the piano lamp. osten-
sibly examining the score of a recent
muslcal farce he had brought her. Her
chin rested in one little upturned palm
and her eyes were fixed pensiyeiy on
| the music in her lap. Ackroyd watched
| her silently for some moments He was
| Ioath to disturb that pose.
Il saw Ted Briggs TODAY" he said
| at length, and he said it with the evil
| dent expectation of f1utter of excite
ment on Drusilla's part. In this how
ever he was disappointed. She turned
| a page of the score without raising her
| eyes.
Did you?" she said calmly.
L did," he affirmed. Had a sort of
an all-gone air about him.
Drusilla was silent.
Looked as If he needed some one to
sympathize with him-or kick him."
Ackroyd pursued.
Another page Of the score was turn
ed, but Drusilla said nothing.
Haven't seen him round here, late
ly, said Ackroyd, and his tone sug
gested much.
It's something over a week since he
called last" said Drusilla innocently.
Ackroyd smiled grimly but Drusil-
las eyes being on the score, its mean
ing was lost on her.
Same old story, I presume said
he.
Whats the same old story?" she said
with some emphasis.
Got his congo, eh?''
What are you talking about?"
Ted Briggs"
well. what about him?''
He seems to have been cast into the
outer darkness with his innumerable
predecessors Ackroyd observed.
Drusilla shrugged her shoulders.
II don't see why should fret myself
over that she said.
For casting him there, of course"
said Ackroyd severely.
Admitting did," said Drusilla with
challenge in her voice.
Ted Briggs is a particular friend of
NINE" Ackroyd began.
Must I marry all your particular
friends?' said Drusilla with sardonic
Difference.
Ackroyd's eyes flashed angrily.
you knew all the time he was TAX
ings things seriously" he remon-
mercy on such chaps
"Oh, don't let's squabble every night
you come here" said Drusilla YEARLY.
Here's the Palm song. Shall sing it
to you, MAXI"
She seated herself at the piano. and
drolleries. When she had finished she
swung about to face Ackroyd.
Did that soothe your savage breast,
Make she asked; sw .eGEcn n,t,, VOL,
ever be serious?" he said
IT was never so serious in my life,"
she asserted. Indeed, I am com
pletely weighed down with RESPONSE
bility and remorse. You don't Inn
agine he'll take prussic. acid. do you,
Maxi" she ended in tragic tones.
Ackroyd looked at her with cold
disapproval.
Between old friends" he be-
gan. But Drusilla at once cut him
NOW, Max, I'm awfully sorry. but
If you begin to scatter any of that
fatherly advice about here you'll have
m 90 I counted
lightful evening with you here" she
said tentatively. -
shall say what I set out to, be the
penalty what it may"
Drusilla rested her elbows on the
keys and looked at him archly.
ST was about to remark Ackroyd
went on, that in the social sea you
are a sort of uncharted reef on which
the affections of many serious minded
young men are shipwrecked."
What a metaphor" she tainted. |
Their shipwrecks don't seem to be
alarming calamities, however. They |
survive them
'tAnd there are others who are In
danger of sailing straight onto the |
reef, knowing all its dangers he said. |
should take course in navigation"
1.-The fear of ridicule may keep
them away for a time, but In the end
Drusilla regarded him amusedly.
81 think 1t would be interesting to
meet some of that class" said she.
81 can introduce you to one" said
he.
"when?" Drusilla inquired eagerly.
Now" said he. rising and bowling
gravely.
"You," she gasped.
Even ~ he said unsmiling.
There was a somewhat EN- barrassed |
pause. Ackroyd broke it.
81 shall never be happy until offer
myself to you. I don't expect to be |
happy afterward. I shall merely join
the others in the outer darkness and
the suspense will be over"
Drusilla rested her chin on her palm
again. A bit of added color flushed
her cheeks; her eyes were pensive.
I've been very much a coward"
laugh. That is why I've been silent
so long"
He leaned forward in his chair; his
manner was pleadingly earnest. Dru-
,illa moved uneasily.
"Why don't you offer yourself, then,
ind have it over ?" she asked.
Ackroyd squared his shoulders. 1T
10 offer myself, Drusilla." said he.
My silence has been such long one,
he laugh should be doubly merry" he
.dded bitterly.
Drusilla turned to the piano She
an her fingers over the keys in soft
title minor barmonies. Ackroyd wait
ID impat1ently, then ne STROBE TO the
,iano and bent over her Somethingt
listened on her lashes, and there was
shining streak down either cheek.
"Good heavensi" cried Ackroyd In
udden comprehension. He laughed ]
happily.
''It-it-isn't funny. TI-d-l
Ion't feel bit like Laughing" con-
essed Drusilla-
And Ackroyd was thereupon reliev-
d from any fears of "the outer dark
ess."-(Copyrighted, 1907.)