The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-29
THE EVENING STORY
The Lovers, Knot.
(By Martha Cobb sanford.)

sou ciuD ana sat down under the shade
Of an elm tree.
It's too hot to play" she announced |
iansuidly. DO you mind finishing the I
course by yourself, Mr.. West?"
Lyndon West glanced at her with
very evident concern.
you're not ill?" he asked, anxiously. |
Not bit Of it," Ella assured him.
Just lazy. Now do finish. and then
West hesitated.
All right, If you wish It," he assent
ed finally. You'll promise to stay
right here?"
She watched West swinging OF over |
the green-stretching links. and then.
bending forward, began to unlace one /
OF her smart little tan boots
HIM." she said to herself, that was
easy suddenly she paused, her boot |
only partially loosed. III he really |
liked me better than golf," she unused,
he would have insisted on staying
with me. He's a selfish brute, after all. |
like the others. Well, it's lucky I had |
this chance to find OUT
"Oh, Miss Marden," called a mascu- |
line voice very near her, what are you |
doing all by yourself under a tree?"
Ella hid her foot under her skirt.
Resting" she answered Indifferent |
ly. or at least, trying to-"
The man laughed incredu1ously.
Something new for you, isn't it? I
thought you were an indefatigable
resting" he finished loosely, at the
same time seating himself unlimited
beside her.
Ella sighed. The man misinterpret-
ed her meaning.
"Beastly hot!" he agreed.
Ella let the remark pass unnoticed.
Soon she sighed again.
Cant I fan you?" urged the man,
taking up his hat. and suiting the ac-
ton to the words.
please DON'T" protested Ella, not
But you're in Distress" he insisted,
noticing the drawn look on her face.
rs there anything can do? A glass
of water, perhaps?"
Ella accepted the suggestion eagerly.
"Oh, If you will. Mr.. Stearns!'
The man disappeared precipitately.
The clubhouse was a considerable dis
lance away, and Ella rejoiced in the
fact.
What cyclists men are" she solilo-
quized. ANY man, halfway intelligent.
would have left me alone"
Remembering West, however, she
carried her denunciation no further,
but continued the interrupted unlacing
Of her boot.
played out, Miss Marden?" called
CHEEKY voice behind her. TT is pref
ty warm"
Again the telltale unlaced boot was
hastily concealed.
II thought you men were never con-
scious of the weather when golf was
the attraction" generalized Ella. evad-
ing the personal equation.
'I hadn't thought much about 1t, to
tell the truth, till I saw you curled up
comfortably here in the shade. think
| whereupon, without so much as adj
| ing "by your leave" the newcomer dis
posed himself indolently on the velvety
turf beside her.
Ella frowned, but her companion was
eblivious.
DEM"
.'Fair." replied Ella listlessly. until
| lost my ball" Then. with sudden
animation. II suppose it would be ask
| ing too much of you, Mr.. Brayton. to
| hunt a bit for it?'
! Mr.. Brayton rose CALAMITY.
| Most certainly not" he assured her.
Where did you lose it?"
| With a vague gesture Ella indicated
the woods back Of them, and Brayton
started forth good naturedly.
| There breathed Ella, at last pull
! ing off the torturing boot. What re-
| lief! Now I'll investigate"
| She thrust her hand into the boot.
dra wing it out again Immediately with
| a little cry Of pain. She had cut her
1
| A familiar whistle caused her to look
| I'D. Lyndon West was coming toward
| her rapidly. There was no time to mend
| matters. Ella wrapped her handker-
chief hastily around her wounded finger
| and thrust the offending boot beneath
her skirt.
well. here 1 am again." sang out
Lyndon Been lonely?"
! Haven't had chance" laughed
Ella Everybody that's passed felt
Ill 81 Iyna mo
company"
IT don't wonder" was Lyndon's
frankly admiring comment.
mot one Of Them" announced Ella
condemningly, had the sense to see
that 1 wanted to be by myself-to rest.
tive, Mr.. West. or exceptionally cal
lous."
west who had thrown himself wear
lily down on the grass, looked up In
time to catch the mischief In Elias
sparkling eyes.
81 am exceptionally perceptive." he
affirmed laughingly. 81 knew you
didn't want me to stay"
But you are quite sure L am glad
YOU are back?" she teased.
Whatever Lyndon had In mind to re-
ply was not spoken.
"Jump!" he shouted excitedly. "a
balls coming!"
Ella grasped his hand and sprang
ND. lust as a swiftly-driven ball brush
| ed by her skirt. Then. still holding
Lyndon's hand, she hoped on one foot
| to a nearby stump.
1T struck you.' gasped Lyndon.
.sYou are hurt. Where?
Ella, CONFUSED, RAISED ner nanoker-
chief to her face.
at is your hand-it is bleeding" he
exclaimed. Let me see it! I thought
| it was your foot"
| At this dramatic moment Stearns
onneared with a. glass of water.
"Tm sorry I was so long. Miss Mar
den," he began apologetica1ly.
west snatched the glass from him.
You were miraculously QUICK, ne