The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-06
THE EVENING STORY
Betty's Decision.

(By Lulu Johnson.)
Mournfully the somber melody of tn,
dead March from Saul came through
the double-sashed windows of the Eagle
House. The music gained in mournfu1
ness what it lacked in impressiveness
for Dan Hicks struggles with the un.
familiar clarinet added q wafling note
not Intended by the composer. Net one
OF the members Of the Granville Cornet
band was q skilled musician.
Vance Bevan moved over to the win
dow to watch the passing of the cor
fsse- Elrrt came this band, sh.vering in
their gauoy uniforms, which they would
mot hide beneath overcOats: then ioI-
lowed the Niagara Hose company and
the Granville Hook and Ladder. The
long, light truck of the latter was
stripped of its ladders, and in their
place was a platform, on which rested
| a fag-draped casket. Behind this were
two closed carriages and then a long
string of vehicles Of all descriptions.
Hank Flagler Joined his guest at the
window.
There goes good man." he said, in
the hollow tones that seemed most ap-
propiate to the occasion. II tell you,
There wasn't a better man in all SEQ
Vile county. He was always doing
something. First, 1t was the engine
company. He got it the steamer. Just
kept at it until it had to come. He
said Granville was getting too big for
the old hand engine. He was right.
What chance would there have been
of saving the Vail block If there hadn't
been a steamer"
Zone OF the leading citizens7' asked
Bevan as he proffered cigar. Flagler
nodded. sss
zone of the best" he declared We
was all sorry when he went to the Phil
ippines. I guess he stirred them islands
up. Only out there four years ana he
came home with cool hundred thou
sand. Yes. sir"
but why go to the Philippines?"
questioned Bevan. Tt would seem that
Guilty in getting ahead nearer home"
But Fred was in a hurry" exclaim-
ed the hotel man. You SEQ he had al
ways been in love with Bessie Brew
ster. Bessie loved him, too, but she
was an ambitious little thing. She
wanted Fred to get ahead faster and
that meant the Philippines. He left 1t
all to her, too. I bet she must be all
broken up. That's her in the second
carriage, I guess. see Betty Harvey
in with her.
"Of course the family is in the first
hack. rode in that hack the night
got married. Lem Spriggs. he says
there's been enough yarnish on that
old hack to pay for a new one. and
guess he's right. Old man Hardness
had 1t when he set up in business as e
livery back in rs. Every t'other year
they slap on some more varnisn anu
FlagIer ratified on with bits OF in
formation as the various carriage
passed. The first heavy fall OF snow
was upon the ground and a few
.Bevan heard little of the running
comment. The mention of Betty Har-
vey had reused a chain Of thought.
He had run up from the city TO argue
with her and had found the whole
town upset by the arrival OF Fred
Greyson's body. Betty was busy COM
forting her friend, Bessie Brewster,
and would not even see him.
There was small hope that ne
would be able to get speech with her,
but he decided to wait until after the
funeral He wanted to make one last
appeal. ,a
ing the summer. Betty had given her |
love to the clean young engineer, but
when he had asked that they might
be married soon she had shaken ner
head. Stumblingly she had explained
her reasons for refusal. She was an
h iress, and in the little town in which |
she lived she feared that the people |
might despise her sutton as a fortune |
hunter.
money at the death of her father her
friends had warned her against the
wiles of the fortune hunters Sne d1o
cared for her money, but she was too
proud of him to be willing that ne
should so be classified by the towns
people.
,ie Brewster to refuse to marry Fred
areyson until his fortune should
match her own. Greyson had gone 10
he Philippines. where ne penevee
hat a fortune might be ACQUIRED
quickly. He had made his pile" but
IN his way home the fever had taken
i'm. From Manila the journey had
been made in metallic casket.
The last of the carriages NAG passeu.
rhe Dead March still sounded clearly
IN the crisp frosty air, and Bevan fell
n with the crowd that escorted the
procession on foot. The road wound
10 the side Of the hill to GODS acre,
yhere the yeIlowed headstones gieam-
n darkly against the freshly fallen
now. ,,
ouare within which the Masons FORM
d for the funeral service. Betty Aar-
upporting her friend, but before the
nort service was concluded she mao
o lead the bereaved girl back to the
arriage. Rapidly the hack drove PACK
here to help Betty lift the girl into
he carriage, and he had sprung to the
riyer,s box to be Of service when they
hould have reached home. l.
It was he who bore the Iaintlng girI
octor. and he was waiting when at
ast. BESSIE having fallen into the ner-
ifui oblivion Of sleep. Betty stole
oftly from the room.
Are you still here?' she asked In
,,rprise as she came up to Vance.
At must go back to town tonight,
e explained. Before I go I had to
awe have been all over that before"
loaded Betty. Cant you understand
ow / feel about it. dear?"
land does not this change your
oind?" he asked. Look, Betty,
ave come to let you decide for me-