The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-04
THE EVENING STORY
A Maid and a Method.
(By Alexander Bunn.1

- "oi ring Satisfactorily, and stretched
himself comfortably on the grass.
She leaned back against the tree trunk
ana watched squirrel on neighbor-
ing branch
Harrington noticed that she seem ed
10 nave entirely forgotten his presence,
consciousness of the fact that he was
there If she needed hfm-the knowledge
that she had nothing to fear from a
chance tramp or snake.
1t was rather an unusual thing for a
woman to be forgetful of Harrington
He could not decide whether the situa-
ton interested him or piqued his vanity
When you have satisfactorily exam
med the trees, the squirrel the water
falling over those stones, and have
formed your opinion concerning the en-
trancing horizon he said in a slightly
injured tone, wouldn't you like to talk
to me some %
She took of her hat and laid 1t on the
grass beside her with a sigh of satisfac-
ton.
None of these things are more inter-
esting to me, Diogenes, than the study
of you, assure you.''
Sometimes I almost conclude that
positively dislike you,' he said amiably,
taking long puffs at his cigar. 81 never
cared much for women-but in this case
there is a stronger element. / believe
it almost approaches dislike
She wriggled her blond head into
more comfortable pose against the tree
trunk and beamed upon him as if he
had said something truly gratifying.
It's an achievement, Diogenes, to
have inspired you with a strong feeling
of any description-Tm proud of my
SELF
You have such a COMPOUNDED way of
bouncing upon a fellows thoughts and
holding them up to ridicule-you can
analyze a man as easily as a chemist
can analyze a patent medicine. Didn't
you know, Miss Burton, that women
ought to make Observation-Disclosures
tive-it's uncanny for them to go in for
psychology, analysis, and-er-vivisec-
tion.''
Attractive? Oh, Diogenes-you are
woefully lacking Manners was TAX
ing solid comfort and content in the
belief that the powers that be had
made me-attra ctive-and was anus
ing myself with your so-called vivi-
section-merely as side issue. I see
my dear philosopher, that you are not
fitted for the gentle ways of polite So
Back to your tub It. was a tub
that Diogenes enjoyed so thoroughly,
wasn't it?''
He was, by degrees, working him
self into an exceedingly bad temper.
Miss Burton, did you know that
blond women had always enjoyed the
reputation of being fools-more or
less?" he asked. scathingly.
''All of which leads To- she in
terrogated with elaborate innocence
1.-THE fact that it's time you decided
whether you are going to marry that
idiot Darrell or me. We've both been
dangling around you the whole sum-
mer."
Your climaxes are strong" she
smiled, admiringly, that idiot Darrell
or--you-don't you recognize a GER
tain similarity to Pope in the way you
construct your sentences?"
TITS impossible to make a climax
after Darrell" he snorted. ut would
be an impossibflity to find a bigger
idiot to name after him.
Everything, my dear man, depends
upon-the point of view" she pinned
on her hat and turned toward the path
leading to the hotel.
That afternoon Harrington lay half
asleep his new magazine over his face.
in the shade of the bushes that grew
back of the summer house.
Virginia, you are acting shameful
ly," he heard Darrelfs voice.
So he called her Virginia. did he?
And she allowed it!
Virginia evidently enjoyed the idea
OF acting shamefully, for he heard
little ripple of merriment.
But you know, Jack. he really does
need some of the conceit taken out of
have spoiled him So,
II think you have tormented him
Darrell insisted "and Won
nave carried on with me outrageous
y. L feel party to fraud. You can't
keep it up much longer. for when
Eleanor comes next week he will soon
ind out that I've been engaged to your
sister all along. Why not put him ont
IF his misery? You know you like
1im."
"Of course do-and I'm going 70
marry him-but he needs a little train
ng first"
Darrell rose and started toward the
louse. I'm going to finish my letter |
o Eleanor" he said "I'll leave Won
lere to finish your book. Shall 1 tell |
Eleanor that We'll make it a double
in November"
Virginia evidently took time to rned;- |
ate.
Il think he'll make an awfully hand !
ome bridegroom she said, softly.
Darrell laughed delightfully."-.
First time [ ever saw you with |
cal attack, Virginia. I don't see, to |
nut that you care. But as for hand |
ome bridegrooms-PH have YOU re- |
member that I'll be there myself" and |
lie walked down the path whistling
Harrington sat up. let his magazine |
all unnoticed to the ground and brush
d his coat carefully.
His gray eyes were twinkling as he |
rept into the summer house.
He caught the startled girl in his |
rms. "A man has a perfect right to
1iss the girl he's going to marry in
so glad you acknow-
edge that I'll look picturesque at the
Wedding
virginia's face tried to adjust itself
o an indignant expression.
You wretch! you heard what I
aidi' she gasped.
Harrington held her fast and lifted |
Ter face until her eyes looked into his |
Just so-exactly so-and nothing has
yer added so much to my coneeit, Vir-
inia mine" -(Copyrighted. 1907, by
1ary McKeon.)
An objectionable Sin.
An old negro preacher of southern
Georgia had been given a fine. fat
possum by some of his admirers, and
vas keeping 1t in a barrel, feeding 1T
Il.