The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-01
THE EVENING STORY
The Third Delight.
(By Ina Wright Hanson.)


TITS so difficult, this being the
third Delight" she sighed.
What is 1t, Delight Darling?"
asked. using her family name for an
adjective, a method which pleased me
greatly, and longing to comfort her
downcast sapphire eyes with kisses.
LAS you know, Mr.. Dick Courtenay,
my great aunt Delight was wonder
full woman. AS a little girl she made
samplers. Later she spun and wove,
and was never known to get angry, or
speak Ill of any one, or to be vain, or
covetous, or worldly, or anything she
shouldn't have BEEN"
IT don't wonder she never married."
I remarked.
"You are quite impertinent. Dick"
said Delight reproachfully. she was
a perfect woman, and beautiful.
s'And your second aunt Delight is
beautiful woman, and you are her
fresh-cheeked replica. She is also
foolish woman to have renowned the
pleasures of the world, and to dis
parage the holy state of matrimony.
My poor father
I paused 1 had no right to give
away Dads secret, albeit an open one,
but Delight was nodding her pretty
h cad savageiy.
ct should like your nice father to be
my uncle, but auntie must know best,
and / must try to be like her"
Delight Darling" l said fervently,
your blue eyes were made for be-
| holding loves visions, your little pink
ears for hearing loves messages, and
your lips for kisses; your feet were
made for dancing. and
Il believe 1 could learn as easily"
she exclaimed.
| ..Of course you could" 1 answered,
smiling at her flushed cheeks ana
If you will let me teach you, I Will
take you to the Charity masquerade
next week."
Delight gasped, but her eyere were
full of longing.
Il am going to reason with your
aunt" 1 declared.
s.She sits in the garden, making trou-
| sers for the widow Jones little boy"
said Delight.
She ought to making trousers Tor
| her own little boy" 1 muttered, as L
strobe out to interview her.
To my surprise, l found the second
| Miss Delight quite susceptible to my
arguments. She closed the interview
| by saying:
SO. She will enjoy the pleasure more
| If she deems it stolen"
| A strange sentiment, indeed, for the
pretty but austere Miss Delight OAR
ling to hold.
AS was dressing for the masquerade
| a tap came at my door, followed by
rat Their portly Quaker Oats Grandpa:
MY ewes followed the outlines OF MS
| figure and fell upon q peculiar seal ring
which I recognized.
Dad" suggested, better let me wear
your ring.~
| He complied so quickly that 1 d.
vined that he didn't want to be known,
| He wasn't very laxative, and as l.
/ had troubles of my own, wasn't IN
clined to entice him into conversation
| I was glad, though, to see that ne was
going into society again. Dao loVeu
good women in an age-of-chivalry sort
| of way. and / hated to see him waste
Il 49, ~, nerverse Miss Delight OAR
| ling.
Later, Delight and I, masked and
ROBBED stole down back streets 10 the
Charity Ball, she turning my rather ;
| ring round and round on my finger, Tor
| she held my hand as II 1t alone could
| save her from destruction. Il whistled
carelessly under my breath to give her
nerves a chance to be quiet
She begged not to dance. though she
had proved an apt pupil, so we, Lady
| in Scarlet and Roman Senator. SAT IN
a corner and watched the merrymak-
ers. Sr
lett" she exclaimed. THE costumer
said she had sold another like this.
wonder If she feels as reckless ana as
as happy as 1 do
probably this isn't her first glimpse
into fairyland." I answered. she
doesn't dance like an old-timer. though
Do you notice the Quaker Oats with
HE looks familiar she said curl
ously. IT wonder who he is.
I was doing some wondering on my
own hook, too, but was most concern
ed about the Lady in Scarlet with
him.
BY and by took my lady into the
dirnly lighted conservatory, and pressed
time she shyly returned the pressure.
Have you a cold?" she asked con-
STRANGELY your voice doesn't sound
| natural tonight"
Little girl. are you very, very hap
yes" she admitted.
"Of course you are, and you are DO
ing right to be happy. But this is only
the froth. The real substance is a
home and an honest mans love. It
is as natural for you to love as Tor
these orchids to bloom. Delight Darling,
am 1 the man you lover"
Her head sank to my shoulder. From
her dark hair came perfume of vtolets.
.'If you must know 1t, Richard Cour-
teney, Think you are king among
be most worthy. will do your will"
1t didn't sound like Delights spen-
taneity of expression, but the sentiment
was so satisfactory that was about to
life the scarlet mask to prove to her
that her lips were made for Just what
/ had said, when two ghosts and the
hfndered the demonstration.
The fail of the masks was the cou-, de
at least 1t happened that we stood
close to Quaker Oats and the other Lady
in Scarlet-my father. and-my own little
rosy, girlish Delight. looked In amaze
ment at the little lady on my arm, then
I know my face grew purple.
Lets get out of here" 1 chortled, "or
I'll exploded
Into the conservatory, where my sue
cessfuI loye-making had been executed.
1 hurried my indignant companion. the
small and decidedly fascinating aunt OF
;; now. Dick Courtenay. explain your
self" the little lady commanded, her eyes
dangerously dark, her cheeks matching
ion, the joke is too rich to explain"
1 wheezed. wiping my eyes. sit down
here, Miss Delight, till I bring my IA