The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-13
THE EVENING Story
The Countess Chooses
(By Emmett Campbell Hail

|
was stamping her little foot and sob
ping Just as any other sorely tried girl
OF eighteen might. The foot was Shod
IN DAINTY canvas oxford, and the re-
malnder of her costume consisted of a
| duck skirt and shirt waist. Scattered
! ABOUT The room, on the chair and tables,
We're masses of velvet, silk and lace,
end most noticeable of all, beautiful
gown of white silk, on which pearls
| were cleaning like dew-drops upon a
lily. There was also long, white ven.
No! No! MOI hate everything!
will not try it on! / will not be mar
rled! the countess cried, and she
| hurled at the despised wedding gown
the little dog-whip she CHANGED to
have in her hand.
"But-should it not fit! To think OF
1t! And only two days more one
OF the two frightened maids protested
but suddenly shrank back from the
fiery eyes the Countess Evelyne turned
upon her.
1.-TWO days-never, tell you,
dunce!" the countess blazed, ana turn
ing, ran from the room.
Down the stairs and out OF doors
the countess sped. AT the door ner
setter sprang toward her with Joyous
yelps. and the girl dropped on her
knees and clasped both her arms about
his neck.
Hero" she whispered. "They-your
mistress isn't happy, doggie-
Then she rose quickly, ana togecner
they hurried down the driveway to-
ward the little lake that glimmered IN
the sun half mile away.
It was very quiet-just an ordinary
pretty country place, and not at all
what one would have looked for In the
summer home of a countess. Her un-
Gle, who was her guardian, had gone
off trout fishing, all the servants were
busy preparing for the wedding, and
there was none to observe or stop ner.
The girls spirits rose somewhat as she
hurried along through the sunshine,
and she laughed merrily when Hero,
after elaborate creepings forward,
failed to catch a sparrow.
They passed through the gate that
marked the boundary of the place,
upon each stone pillar of which was
carved her family arms. and on down
the public highway to where an old
stone bridge crossed the stream lead
ing to the lake. Turning out of the
road the countess followed the course
of the stream until she had reached
little moss-covered bank, which,
bower Here she dropped upon the
ground with a little sigh of content
ment. The dog lay down beside her,
pushing at her hand with his cold, wet
nose.
TITS horrible. doggie dear" the girl
land I haven't any one to help me at
all. Even you can't, Hero"
The dog looked into her face with
grave, questioning eyes.
"They are going to marry me to
some one I never saw" she continued,
speaking as one might to a dear
friend. ST know he is a horrid cad,
Hero. If he isn't a cad he must feel
just the same way, too, and will hate
me. 1t was all arranged when we were
oil
1 am just q girl, and I never had
sweetheart, and 1 want one, doggie,
just like any other girl
Suddenly the eountess's brown eyes
grew dreamy and a faint blush stole
into her cheek.
do you remember, Hero, when we
were sitting here just a year ago? 1t
was the day we thought he was COM
ing to the house, and we ran off to
keep him from seeing US. And we
were just sitting here like this when
Robert came along. And we never
knew any more than just each others
name-Evelyne and Robert. And we
laughed and said we'd meet here
again some day, but he never came |
back. 1 guess he has forgotten
She grew silent, and sat gazing |
dreamily at the water flowing swiftly |
past. Then, suddenly, there was the !
sound of parting branches, and she |
looked up into the eyes of that we'll
face was look of delight and sur
prise.
''Evelyne!" he exclaimed. and strobe |
with outstretched hands.
$50, you did remember, Robert %
she said, and gave him both Of hers, |
and a glad little smile came to her red |
lips.
81 have never forgotten. 1 was pass
ing along the road, up there, in my |
machine. and stopped just to see the |
place again. I did not hope to see |
you he answered.
He had not released her hands, but |
now she seemed for the first time to
notice that fact, and withdrew them, |
blushing.
They sat down side by side on the |
messy bank. and the golden hours |
slipped by unheeded. Almost uncon-
sciously their hand and met and |
then his arm had stolen about |
her, and her head had come to rest |
against his boulder. There seemed |
no past, no future, only the present. |
Slowly. as if drawn by force he could |
not resist he turned his head toward |
her, and their lips met clingingly.
With wrench the countess tore !
herself free, and sprang to her feet. |
She hid her face in her little hands |
and sobbed:
"Oh, you shouldn't have done that, |
Robert. 1t makes it too hard to bear. |
Oh, cannot! Cannot!''
''What?" he whispered. and again |
his arms embodied her.
With eyes that were suddenly wide |
and dry, she looked into his.
II am to be married in two days." |
she said simply.
His face went white, and his arms |
dropped to his side.
And II had forgotten" he NUT !
tered. With clenched hands he stared |
INTO vacancy. Then his jaw set firmly, |
and into his blue eyes came the light !
Of battle, heritage from a warrior race.
would you give up all that you
hold dear-family, friends and coun-
Try, to go with me, an exile, into far |
he asked. ST also am bound
by dead mans promise-to one
Who cannot pOssiblY care for me who