The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-10
THE EVENING STORY
The Transgressor.

| uuceu py the Sound OF the Dell would
have been interpreted as despair or
disgust at the interruption, but the
Reverend John Courtney's only atti-
| tude toward the rebellion of the ffesl,
was that he had spent very busy.
trying day. and that even Ordained
flesh Graves rest and solitude occa-
sienally.
You. Miss Manning ?" he exclaimed
in surprise as the girl was ushered in
by the ractor's housekeepe-.
| Marion Manning sat down in the
| armchair indicated and was silent
| from the moments embarrassment.
| 4 came to ask your advice, Mr..
| Courtney; I'm in trouble" she said
| finally.
The rector wondered what couId
have happened in the quiet town to
| have brought such evident consterna-
tion to his young parishioner Since
| mis- installation as rector of st. Johns,
six months before, he had known the
| girl and had become accustomed to
meeting her at every function as the
| life and mirtE of the occasion Her
look OF woe was entirely unfamiliar to
him.
I'm very sorry. Miss Marion-what
| has happened?" nc asked, with real
CONSERVATION.
Nothing has happened-but I've
committed crime against the govern
mcnt." she said horelessly.
THAT sounds very gravel
The rector could not, for the life of
him, keep from smiling at the innocent
look of the self-confessed criminal.
The girl spoke with flash of spirit.
You probably will not smile when
I tell you the whole OF it. don't
know, but think I could be impris-
oned if it were found OUT
Tho rector still had a difficulty in
preserving proper amount Of grav-
ity.
Suppose you tell me all about it,
he said.
She handed him a long official en-
velope.
IT have just received an appoint
ment as a $500 clerk in the Pension
ONCE at Washington she said dole
fully.
He took the envelope and looked ct
the appointment with less pleasure
than he should have shown, in view of
the fact that he had known all the
summer how arxio usIy the girl had
hoped to hear from the civil service ex-
animation, which she had taken in the
spring.
where does the crime against the
government come in?" he asked, look
ing helplessly from the innocent face
to the innocent appointment to Office.
You know. went to Columbia to
take the examination Well-if you
remember. my friend Rose Lawrence
went with me to keep me company
and to buy her spring hat
Mr.. Courtney was more at sea men
d
second character and a spring hat.
Did she-er-buy the-er-hat %
he asked helplessly. and from merely |
polite motives.
"Of course she bought a hat-you
don't suppose that I've come here to |
tell you that we stole a spring hat, do |
your" Miss Manning's scorn was |
whitening. and the rector, who had al |
ways been considered the bravest of |
the brave, and who owned college tro-
n orr n pTfT
sat ahashed and humble before her
"Er-certainly not-of course not |
Miss Marion. 1 only thought I would |
try to talk about hats until you felt |
more at ease"
The girls eyes twinkled.
ct would really like to hear you try |
to discuss spring millinery, Mr.. Court |
ney, some day when I feel like laugh !
ing-but tonight don't feel like |
laughing a bit The trouble is this |
Il was so sick 1 couldn't hold up my |
head, and Rose took the card admit |
ting me to the examination-and stood |
for me-"
Cnministerial whistle.
"You poor little grill" he said COM
Irehensively
II have come to argue with you as
to whether I can accept the appoint
ment," the girl continued. 81 want it |
and 1 need it badly. There is no
doubt that could have passed the ex-
animation as creditably, or even more
SO, than Rose did-we were in the
same classes at school, and my marks
were always higher than hers"
The rector INDUCED in the to him
luxury Of fidgeting in his chair
and hopping his forehead with his
handkerchief.
''It is an involved point of ethics,
Miss Marion" he said fesbly
II want you to clear it up for me
but I'm afraid I want you to see it
my way she acknowledged.
you. have come to fortify yourself
by getting me to substantiate your
opinion that you are justified in ac-
cepting the appointment ?" he asked
slowly.
there was no fraud premeditated-I
that there was no reason for your pre-
ferring Miss Lawrence to take the ex-
animation except that you were tenn
ion, entirely qualified to fill the posi-
-ion-and 1 think we may also claim
hat you have a more practical bust
ness mind and stronger physique
han Miss Lawrence-both of these
being recognized as desirable busin ess
The girls face grew brighter and
she nodded her head. eagerly.
you don't see how you could pos
;ibly be injuring anyone-if you filled {
how you could be defraud-
ng the government don't see that
,ither." the rector concluded mus 1
ngly.
The girls face beamed upon him. :
.aThen you think I may take it? III
iced it SO badly" she spoke with rapid i
Intensity.
The rector leaned over and took her /
land. III
'.Do YOU think you COULD feel happy
md satisfied, little grip he a sked, e
cooking her squarely in the eyes. 1t
Her eyes wavered, and finally turned y
lway from his. 1t