The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-02
THE EVENING STORY

(By Temple Bailey.)
sudden tropic thunderstorm had
sent all the women flying into the big
hotel like flock of snowy birds.
Peggy. following them slowly, met
Armstrong on the wide porch.
You'd better hurry in," he said, ut
VIII come down heavily in minute
II don't care" Peggy informed him
You'll spoil your gown" he admon-
ished.
Peggy shrugged her shoulders "Ac-
cording to Palm Beach ethics" she in
formed him. my gown is already spoil
ed. It was spoiled before it was made,
and the making only made it worse. In
gown"
His quick glance questioned her, and
then as he saw the laughter in her blue
eyes his own brown eyes laughed back.
"At least 1t doesn't seem to worry
you," he said.
ut did," she admitted as he drew two
chairs back under the awning and they
sat looking out upon the rain. ''It did
awfully when first came. Why, Jim
mic Armstrong, I never dreamed of
such clothes as the women wear here.
| It isn't just their dresses. It's their
hats, and their shoes, and their wells,
and the way they fix their hair, and
their compilations. They are like lot
| of princesses-
You needn't talk about complex
| ions," Armstrong said dogged1y, you've
got a complexion Of your own"
well, at least 1T is my own" Peggy
agreed, "but what's a complexion, Jim
mie, without the clothes to set it off :?
| Now there's that pale blue chiffon with
| the rose-wreathed border that just
| went in there, and the girl wore a hat
| with roses around 1t. and her parasol
| had a pale pink coral handle" She
leaned forward impressively, Jimmie,
| how do you think I would look in that
gown"
| 'Out of sight," said Jimmie prompt
| 1y.
| Peggy nodded. II believe I would
she went on, land at first 1t worried
me that couldn't have them, just as
it worried me that had to pay Is cents
apiece for oranges when at Indian
| river they are selling for five cents a
dozen, but it doesn't worry me any
| more"
why not?'' he asked.
Because I am an outsider" she said.
AUNT Alva and I have just enough
| money to pay our board-without any
frills. But it is doing her lots of good
the climate and the chance to see
things, and I simply made up my mind
to get all out of it could. And can't
have pretty things like the other wo-
men, SO I Just keep out and look on
them as I would on picture.
Il have all sorts Of names for them
| that dashing, restless widow, who af-
fects red, is the Crimson Rambler
and the girl with the pink roses is
| Lady June and that tall girl in mauve
is The Orchid'-and in that way don't
| feel envious or hateful. and don't care
il my hair is out Of curl or my dresses
old-fashioned, for am only in the au-
| dience and not a part of tt
| She stopped, her cheeks glowing.
Jimmie looked at her with admiration.
IT am an outsider, too" was his state
ment "a government stenographer
out for a weeks vacation with only
one suit of white linen isn't in it,
| Peggy laughed. I'VE are two of a
| kind" she said, land now that you
have come, we'll forget envy and all
uncharitableness, and tomorrow morn
ing we'll go together to the alligator
farm"
| But in the morning Jimmie came to
her with apologies. 1.-THE secretary is
| here" he said, land he has asked me
to join his party on a trip up Lake
Worth to his launch. I don't just see
how I can refuse. Could we go to the
alligator farm just as we'll tomorrow"
| I'VE could, but we WON'T" said Peggy
promptly. you mustn't neglect the
secretary, Jimmie. You are inside now.
and I am still outside. and-and the
|
wore the pale blue and the roses yes
| terday-
"What do 1 care about the secre-
tary's daughter?" Jimmie demanded.
savagely, you know it's only because
I can't afford to offend the secretary
Peggy
"Please don't worry about that"
Peggy's tone was gay, but there was a
hurt look in her eyes. Aunt Alva Is
diving to see the alligators. and am
| going to get double-basket chair and
and let me go alone?" he reproach-
ed her.
you can go with the secretary's
daughter" Peggy reminded him as she
went away
A half hour later, immaculate in his
one linen suit, Armstrong went to the
pier. The secretary was there, big,
bluff and hearty, and the secretary's
daughter, all in white. her shining hair
showing the touch of an expert maid.
and her light blue chiffon veil floating
about her like cloud
| All day long she was very nice to
Jimmie, and by evening they had
grown confidential.
1T am so glad father discovered
you" she said, as they came once
more in sight of the waving royal
palms and the big hotels Of the
beach. "You must go with US again
| tomorrow"
Armstrong hesitated.
.I'd like it awfully." he blurted
| out. "but I have a little friend here.
We came from the same town and
went to school together. It's pretty
dull for her, and want to see that
she has a good time"
Doesn't she know anybody here!"
asked the secretary's daughter.
mo" Armstrong said. she calls
| herself an outsider. She can't dress
| like the people who have money, SO
| she looks at the rest Of you as II You
were pictures in an art gallery"
"Oh. how funny" laughed the Sec
L