The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-01
THE EVENING STORY
A Summers storm.
81 a NJ. Davies Ogden. )

4
across the lake, furnishing the waves
to gold and bringing out soft glints
IN margaret Allston's hair The girls
eyes gazed dreamily over the water.
her hands, firm capable little hands,
were ciaspeo loosely behind her head
as she Ieaned back in the rustic chair.
me clear, sdelicately penciled features.
the plant figure relaxed to a happy
apandon, all breathed q rare atmos-
RneIe OF refinement and charm Mrs.
HushWell, looking critically at her,
wondered for the thousandth time
why Margaret had never married.
Iney were seated in one of the pref
" plazza=crowned- lighthouses which
decorate the Adirondack shores. Mar
garet had been reading aloud while
| the other sewed Mrs. Rushwen care
| Iuily threaded her needle.
| II mas been SO lovely to have you
s sn 70 myself this way; Margaret." she
| SAID sincerely. II almost wish Ned
night"
a CLINT of laughter hickered in the
girls eyes.
And who all are coming?". she
cial tastes-Mary, who was never so
happy as when entertaining a room
full. For herself. the fresh, cool
breeze, the fringe of green edging the
sparkling of purple mountains, these
filled her with an unspeakable sense
OF peace and comfort. She did not
| think that the people would bother
her greatly, Mrs. Rushwen reflected.
We'll, there is Susie Hoyt, and Billy
Norris, and Jim Blackwell and-and
oh, yes, you remember Townsend
Lassiter. He is just returned from
Chilli. where I believe he was the
from Washington. And Belen di Her
rera arrives, too. She is a sort of
ward of his, 1 believe He knew her
parents intimately and when they
both died he rather took charge of
the girl and has just brought her up
te her mothers people. She was an
American. The girl is awfully young,
only II. but they develop early in
those countries. So when I asked
him, invited her, too. He brought
her to see me just before I left town
and in spite of his being so much old
er, believe he is going to marry her.
Its quite romantic story. isn't it?''
Very" murmered Margaret. She
had grown a trifle paler, but that
might have been attributable to the
heat-the breeze was going down with
the sun. Her manner was quite I'M
ruffled.
'I remember Mr. Lassiter very
WE'LL she said quietly at will be
pleasant to meet him again."
But as she dressed for dinner that
evening Margaret found herself using
even more than her usual dainty care.
When she had finished, the girl lifted
the hand-glass and surveyed herself
carefully. A little sigh fiuttered be-
slime and straght and ta bnt the
thoughtful mouth had a tired curve, the
soft hair showed patch of silver.
And he is engaged to girl of H.
she reflected rather wistfully. will
he think me very changed 1 wonder?"
Then with a sudden change of mood
she blew out the candle and smiled
He has probably forgotten the whole
episode ages SINCE" she decided. Don't
~ Nor -of z vol oh cfe
is a foolish pastime.''
But despite her philosophy, Margaret
was conscious of quick throb of in
terest as~Townsend Lassiter came for
ward to greet her. He, at least, had
not changed. Or if he had it was but
to improve. conceded Margaret. The
straight thick hair on his temples was
touched with gray; the pleasant frank
eyes had a serious look in them. But
the old flashing smile was there. Mar
garet experienced a sudden sense of
relief. There was no hint Of awkward
ness in his manner. The note of cordial
greeting to an old friend was exactly
right; then he turned. |
IT want you to meet Miss di Her
rera,' he said.
During dinner Margaret looked at the
little South American. She seemed a
mere child with her great, dark, vel |
vety eyes and sensitive, Quivering |
month. And Townsend Lassiter cared |
for her. He treated her with a grave, |
every want. Yet all at once Margaret |
was conscious of a sudden swelling |
sympathy for the shy. half-frightened
little thing. She seemed so young, so
helpless. As they all rose to leave the |
dining room. Margaret spoke to her in
kindly halting Spanish. The small face |
lighted up, the soft olive cheeks flush |
ed Cluskily as the girl Stammered some |
startled at the loveliness of the child, |
and young Morris, close behind, caught
his breath.
The house party had been invited for |
two weeks. But hardly three days had
passed before Mrs. BUSHNELL began |
dinly to surmise something wrong. To |
all appearances her guests were well |
chosen and congenial But some subtle |
sixth sense made her aware Of a strain, |
a tension, carefully hidden but acutely |
present. She fell to watching but con-
illusions baffled her. The little South |
American girl, her eyes wider and dark |
an almost passionate devotion. The /
Morris boy moped. Margaret. In a |
mood difficult of analysis, enveloped |
herself in a hayward brilliancy impos- |
sible to penetrate. Once or twice his
hostess caught Lassiter studying with |
curious eyes his little fiancee. What |
was the matter with them all, won
dered Mrs BUSHNELL Was Lassiter |
Jealous? There could be nothing seri-
Gus in the Morris boys attentions.
It was the last night of their stay.
All day heavy clouds had been piling |
up in the west. threatening masses of
violet The sun had sunk below the
horizon in sullen blaze of dull red.
The stiffness and the heat were in
tense. Margaret. restless and wearied,
had slipped outside. seeking refuge,
a breath among the stately pines.
Above her head they murmured in
endless cadence; musical and mysteri-
GUS But to her troubled mind the
of the woods brought no
peace. AS vet the pain was too fresh
for natures assuagement. And twist
ed through the tangle Of her own per-
sistent thoughts ran teasing little
question of Belen's. Before dinner the
GIRL had coma to her room. The