The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-08
THE EVENING STORY
The Diplomacy of Ted.
Ru Tzo1a TorreSfor

By Izola Forrester.)
You see, I wouldn't mind it a bit If
it were not for Uncle Halbert, but If I
marry you and go to Denver, Bob, what
would become of him? He hasn't a soul
in the world but me, and he's forty
nine
'Forty-nine isn't DID," interrupted
Bob gloomily.
ut isn't for most men, but it is for
man like Uncle Ha1bert,'' Gwendolin
answered seriously. 1T isn't as though
he had led an active business life. Bob.
He has always been SO exclusive; you
know what 1 mean; he has lived by
himself and for himself until mamma
died and I came to live at the Naples.
That is over fifteen years ago, and L
know that if were to marry you and
leave him all alone here it would break
his heart"
Let him come with u.s." suggested
Bob, walking up and down the strip of
beach below the sand dune where the
figure in the blue cloak sat in solitary
state. It's great climate out there.
He'd like it all right as soon as he got
accustomed to the change. OF course it
might come hard to an old man like
that"
You just said he wasn't old"
We'll, he's too old to care one way
or the other"
Bob Daulton. how can you talk SO
heartlessly?"
Daulton stopped short in his walking
and faced the figure in blue, his hands
deep in his pockets, his young face set
and resolute.
Just because 1 want you for my
wife, he said, land any obstacle that
stands in my way after you yourself
have said yes has simply got to be over
come-that's why. 1 like Mr.. Ruther-
ford all right. He's a fine old fellow,
but I don't see just why we should
blight our whole life's happiness in or
der to insure his not getting lonesome.
And he won't be. He has lots of neigh
bors--''
He hates neighbors,' interposed
Gwendolin sadly, her chin on her palms.
He has quarreled with the Lawrences
over the greenhouses they built, that
spoil the view from the arbor, and he
doesn't like the new people at Grey
stone bit. He says they're too excita-
ble"
He did, did hep laughed Bob. well.
he must enjoy excitement little him
self. When 1 drove in to the post
office yesterday I saw him riding be-
side little Mrs. AinSlee in her red and
black runabout They were clipping
along the post road to beat the band,
and he didn't look worried a bit over
any excitement"
He was not riding for pleasure" said
boy Teddy was bitten by a swapping
turtle, and uncle simply went with her
to the doctors. Teddy was with them''
well, he wasn't in evidence, and
didn't hear any means of pain. The
old boy and the widow seemed to be
enjoying themselves all right. Anyway,
that kid ought to be suppressed. He
put one of those swapping turtles in
with my terriers last week and it didn't
do a thing but nip Napoleon's ear and
take a bite at Lady Gaps nose"
What were the terriers doing?"
Gwendolin's blue eyes lighted with
quick merriment.
Nothing except kiyi-ing. You can't
take a grip on a turtle shell, and every
time one would make a dash at the tur-
ties head it would draw it in. And
Teddy thought it was great fun"
ma 30 on NJ t hes sand aPG Dune ne didn't know
Teddy had so much sense of humor.
That must be why Uncle Hal likes
him. Generally he doesn't care for
children a bit"
Maybe Teddy would keep him from
being lonesome then after we've gone
to Denver Bob waited an instant,
then caught encouragement from the
face above him, and took the sand
quit teasing and behave. 1t isn't
Joke It's our life's happiness at stake
Just because this old fossil wants your
What do we care even If he
cut you off without cent? I'll have
enough for two. And I'm not afraid of
him. I'll go to him after dinner to-
night and tell him the whole thing, and
let him sizzle--
You can't tell him tonight, Mr.. Daul-
ton" interrupted an interested, eager
little voice from the other side of the
dune. He's coming over to our house
for dinner. Why don't you tell him
right now?'
Bob Withdrew him arm hurriedly
from it's resting place, and Gwen
pinned up some stray tunbled locks
with fingers that trembled even while
1-AI- f,..Wr i
Standing in the pool of water left by
the tide in the rocks below was Teddy
Ainslee. His short duck pants were
rolled high about his bare tanned legs,
and his face was intensely serious. as
he balanced a tin pail and toy rake
in his hands, and stared up at the two
figures on the sand dune.
what are you doing, Ted?" asked
Bob, impersonally- Digging Tor
Nope. Crabs" returned Ted, laconi--
cally. "Got five. Two's most dead,
though. Why don't yeu tell him right
over behind the clubhouse. They're sit
ting on the rocks, talking about our
coming to live in his house. Say, I'm
going to have a room all to myself, he
boat Aren't you glad I'm COM
ing to live with you, Gwen?"
GwendoIin's hand closed over the |
strong one that reached for it. with a |
warm, close grip FOR moment ner /
eyes met Bob. swift questioning, |
amazed. laughing, all in one quick |
sweeping glance of understanding. |
Bob started to laugh aloud. but she |
checked him. and bent toward the lit
tie figure standing in the water be-
low.
"Indeed,.I am glad, Teddie.'' she
said very gently, very automatically, |
nbut I didn't know about 1t. When /
are you coming, DEAR?
Teddiers gaze wandered musingly /
over the stretch of shore to where the |
club house made a splash of green and I
white on the landscape. From where |