The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-19
The EVENING STORY
His Course in Love.
(By Lulu Johnson.)


On the whole. Treadway thought II
rather nice of him to be willing to
marry Marion Hitesman. He was pos
sessed of an income of half a m1Illon
a year-the income from his mothers
estate-and when his father died
We'll, it required the services of two
| men to keep track of the TreadWay
investments.
Marion was a dainty little country
| woman, but she would need a lot or
| social training, of course. Perhaps a
| year in a finishing school might be q
good thing to fit her for the place In
society she was destined to fill IL
| might be a bother to wait d year be-
fore marriage, though, so on second
thoughts perhaps a social secretary
would be better plan. Treadway de-
| cided upon the social secretary as the
lesser of two necessary evils.
Marion Hitesman was only a little
country girl, the belle of Wichf1eld,
village of a few thousand persons.
| Treadway had been forced to stop
over there for repairs to his automo-
bile, and before these were made he
had seen Marion. After that the auto
mobile was called upon only for little
trips to nearby points of interest, ana
Treadway paid his easy going court TO
| the girl.
Perkins, his fathers lawyer, made
his summer horne in Wichf1eld, and
the Introduction was easily accom-
plished, but Treadway found courtsh1p
according to Wichfield notions rather
complicated. In town, he would have
left a standing order with the florist
and confectioner. There would have
been an occasional motor excursion
and finally a proposal of marriage in
the conservatory at some ones dance.
and a note in the society columns of
the papers.
Here it was all different, and, while
he enjoyed the novelty of it, he found
it rather awkward at times. In town,
mammas with marriageable daughters
were willing to do more than half the
courtship for him. Here he found him
self on the same level of equality in the
Hitesman home as Beri Taylor, who
clerked in Luscombs grocery.
Even this fact did not serve to warn
him, however, and his declaration was
entirely characteristic. The two were
returning from a ride into the country.
A score of couples had gone out to the
home of a farmer-host and the road
was dotted with buggies. At Marion's
command, Treadway had not thrown
on speed to outstrip the others, as he
usually did, and the car rolled along as
quietly as though it were under the OBJ
servation of string Of traffic police.
Marion leaning back against the up
holstered cushions gave luxurious lit
tie sigh.
81 love automobiling," she said,
when the car does not run too fast"
You shall have an automobile for
y
married"
Are we to be married?" she asked,
with a touch of GOODNESS in her voice.
'I hope so,' was the prompt reply.
"I've got a lot of money, and In time
shall have a lot more. can give you
everything you want and Introduce you
into society. OF course, you'll have to
coach up a little, but you'll make 1t all
right. Is it a go?"
mo, thank you" caid Marion very
quietly. IT admit that the proposition
you make is glittering in the extreme
but I must decline"
"Declinel' he gasped in amazement-
why know hundred girls In New
York who would jump at the chance"
I'm that case" was the quiet retort,
ct shall omit the customary expressions
of regret. No doubt you will find quick
consolation"
Treadway was too stunned to argue
He busted himself with the steering
wheel until the big black car drew up
in front of the Hitesman home. He help-
ed her out and opened the gate for
her.
at is good-by as we'll as good night"
he said as she held out her hand. Il
shall be gone in the morning
She stammered something he could
not catch and hurried up the walk to
the house. Treadway watched her
wistfully until the door closed behind
her then he went away, carrying IN
his heart the memory OF slender ns-
ure SilhOuetted against tne HsHI AloiAi
the open door.
In the early dawn the big touring car
slipped down the dusty road Ihere
was the usual gossip, ana tnen Wlcn-
field forgot Treadway In the excitement
of a revival meeting at which ram
GUS evangelist exhorted. But TreadWay
did not forget, even though he put the
width of the Atlantic between himself
and the little town where he had met
defeat. He dawdled In London ana
I@1r tn
not forget the girl with the big brown
ewes and he was glad when at last he |
turned his steps homeward.
The summer had passed; put tne prisk
autumnal airs made touring q denght'
and presently, for a second time, the |
big black car rolled into Wichf1eld. Per-
kins, the Treadway lawyer, had closed
his house and gone back 10 town, DuC
there was an excellent hotel, and pres
emily Treadway found himself installed
in a comfortable room. Once settled ne
sailed forth to find Marion
She was not at home, they told him
at the house, but Mrs. Hitesman aooe9
minute directions by which he found
the patch of woods where Marion mao
gone in search of nuts.
Evidently her nutting was but an ex-
cuse for a walk in the WOODS, TOT ne
came upon her dreaming at the foot
Of a huge chestnut. AS he approached.
she looked up wonderingly; then, after
a moments pause, she sprang to her
feet with outstretched hand.
For a moment 1 thought you must
be a vision" she cried. as he hurried
toward her. Mr.. Perkins told me just
before he left that you had gone
abroad for the winter"
II did go across" he confirmed, but
I couldn't stay. 1 wanted to como
ba elk and ask you if your decision was
final"
yes" he explained. 81 know you
told me that you would not marry
me- but l could not be content until
asked again went to London and
Paris to try to forget you, but the