The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-07
THE EVENING STORY
For Sale.
(By T. Blair Eaton.)

| There were little red-shaded can
dies on the piano. They threw the
| lighted softly the waves OF her brown
| hair.
Elwood. Iounging in the shadows OF
| a dusky corner. watched her silently
there was ranking bitterness in his
| heart. The windows were dropped a
| bit at the top, and through them stole
the odor of warm, wet earth, the In
tangible sweetness Of a spring night,
the hint of a thousand growing things.
He moved uneasily in his chair. The
end was at hand. and yet he shrank
from it as from physical blow.
play something, Katherine" he
commanded shortly.
The girls white hands ran lightly
| over the keys. She played softly-bits
| OF Grieg, snatches from Dvorak, and
presently 4 minor composition that
was new to him. He listened appre-
eiatively, and when the last note died
away he turned to the girl. She sat
before the piano, her hands in her
lap, her eyes on the idle keys.
Thanks, said he. "I think you
have made it easier for us BOTH
She looked up quickly. There was
a puzzled expression on her face.
What do you ?" she de-
manded.
81 mean" said he. speaking very
slowly and with unpleasant emphasis,
L
things that are expected of me with
out saying host of other things that
are on the end of my tongue. And I
think, perhaps. you can listen more
calmly to what I say Katherine. I
She looked at him questioningly.
your mother has told me-" he
went on. II imagine she took con-
siderable satisfaction in telling me. 1
sincerely trust your wealth and your
social
tiers will be all you anticipate. Per-
haps that is the greatest happiness I
could wish you
The open bitterness in his voice
brought the angry color to her
cheeks. There was a flash of fire in
the eyes she turned to him.
Thanks" she said sardonically. ct
scarcely expected this generosity from
you"
Elwood bit his lips
did you expect generosity" he ask
ed. do you deserve it?"
The color faded from the girls cheeks.
Il need generosity-from you," she
said entreatingly.
She swung about to the piano and
began playing very softly again. Ell
wood rose from his chair, and crossing
the room, stood beside her.
And this is the end of it," he said
musingly.
The music rippled on The girl said
nothing.
This is the end of it," he said again.
THE end of that long dream-summer
in the mountains; the end of those days
of cathedral hunting in England; the
end of that eternal spring in Venice. 1t
was only dream, then, and this is the
awakening"
He paused, then after moment went
on again:
do you remember that night on the
Grand canalEthe myriad stars in the
sky and the myriad stars in the wa
ter? Have you forgotten those days in
st. Marks? Did they mean so very
little to you? Do you realize that you
must never, never think OF them again |
when you are Lady Laylor- Winters?"
DON'T" said the girl quickly.
But I can remember them" he said |
member. Perhaps you are willing to
trade your memories for so many thou |
sand pounds and a paltry title, but |
there isn't wealth enough on earth to
buy mine.''
The girls playing came to an abrupt |
ending. She swung about and faced the
nan beside her.
Isn't it bad enough to be sold like a
.aunted about it?" she asked hotly.
why do you permit the sale?" he
said.
We are poor-oh, so poor. When
father died there was little left" The |
,ears sprang to her eyes.
Good Lord!" cried Elwood. Then
you're not doing this on your own ac-
,ount?"N
She looked at him almost pleading
y.
Its Sir Williams money" she said
as if she feared some one
night overhear.
Elwood laughed in sheer relief.
isn't my money just as good?" he
lsked.
The girls face flushed scarlet.
"Oh, how could you'll" she cried in
protest. How could you'll"
"How could I what?" he said help
essly.'
"Talk that way about money-bar-
those days you were
peaking about" she said brokenly. 'T
vas willing to bargain with Sir Will
lam, but you-you- Her voice
allied her.
He looked at her thoughtfully for a
Then he laid his hand gen.
ly on her shoulder.
"Do you imagine for an instant I
hall let you marry him ?" he asked.
you must she said weakly.
at mustn't" he declared stoutly.
'.Rut Sir William she began
,
"Tm sincerely sorry for Sir William,
o reason" said ne.
He lifted her from the piano stool
nd drew her to him.
you mustn't-really you mustn't,
he protested.
Eiwood looked straight into her /.
"When you tell me you don't love
le, I'll let you CO." said he.
There was a long silence. The voice t
nat broke it was very faint. y
"I'm afraid you'll grow tired wait e
,g." she said naively.-(Copyrigh t
eO7 by Homer Sp-ague.)
POINTED PARAGRAPHS. 5