The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-02
THE EVENING Story
The winning OF Edmonia.
(By Janet Christine Stephens. )

rant about Percivale Bonney. In the
thoughts of Edmonia Turner,
thoughts which invariably formed the
frowning background to Percivale's
waking hours, he was discouragingiy
and modernly inoffensive.
She had once stated succinctly, as
thing about him that remotely sug-
gested standing up for itself was the
cowlick at the back of a square and
otherwise irreproachably groomed
head. The subject of this rather
doubtful approval was secretly en-
couraged in the belief that the cow
lick indicated an aggressive spirit
which seemed to be the heroic at
tribute in the imagination of Ed
monia's set.
Edmonia's family appreciative re-
mark had been inspired in her
mothers attic during the rummaging
of rafn-bound house party, when,
upon the discovery of an ancient
coat of mail, Percivale had pulled it
out from under the caves and had
fallen speedily to calculating how
many chain dishcIoths it would have
made for Mrs. Turner's carefully or
dered kitchen.
This was too much for Edmonia.
man who could evolve dishcloths from
the fabric of romance must be lack
ing in the most rudimentary instincts
of chivalry. 1t counted for naught
with her that Percivale Bonney was
his father prouder every day or that
she had never had a rival in his loyal
devotion to her.
She dreamed of the clash of armor
and the risks Of joust and turney, a
knight who should perform feats of
arms for her sake, and rescue her, if
need be, from, a tyrant's might. In
the free whOleSomeness of American
society, the tyrant had not appeared
and to do Edmonia Justice she really
q olaJC
allegiance, only she desired a more
daring proof.
It was therefore incumbent upon
this thoroughly consistent young lady
that she steel her heart against the
pleasing picture which a tall, broad
shouldered, gray-clad figure, hat off
and light hair tossing in the breeze,
made against morning sky on the
first day of one of his erratic autumn
nal visits near her country home
She accordingly let her disdainfuI
glance dwell upon his extensively
rudy cheek and ignored his UNI
affected stare of establishment at her
modern .equipage, a brilliantly red
automobile at a standstill upon the
country road.
What, no! Rebecca!" he greeted
her when within speaking distance of
where she sat in the Crimson Ram
bier. Armed cap-a-pie I see! Is the
drawbrtdge down ?"
Edmonia smiled tolerantly and gave
him her hand.
But why linger so far from the pa
ternal castle? Has thy gentle paIfrey
gone lame?'
Edmonia glanced suggestively back
along the highway. I'm waiting for a
friend She said it with conviction.
The dusty road stretched in two long
undertaking lines in either direction, No
one was in sight. Percivale's gaze
abandoned it's quest and returned sus-
piciously to the Crimson Rambler.
could T." he asked anxiousIy, "fiure
in that capacity?"
She. Redeemed in turn then scanned
him critically. Perhaps She was
still rather doubtful of his capabilities
Mentally scoring as inexcusable a devo-
ton to his business which had made
craze, he fiattened himself out, after
the manner Of the ardent automobilist,
under her car and confded his despair
to her tonneau.
1t was bad enough not to be roman
tic, but not to be even useful was I'M
bearable. He had not the slightest idea
of how to start the machine. He crawl
ed out from under the machine and
mounted to the drivers seat.
. Her sudden accession of trust, inspir-
ed by his business-like manner, pro-
voked him to fresh endeavor. He made
a great show of moving brakes, tight
ening useless screws and peering into
the machine while she scanned the
scenery.
Whatever he finally did to that auto
mobile to start it Percivale does not
know. Suddenly it slid out of the shade
into the road like a bird from under
his hand. "Aha!" he cried, with an
assurance that he was far from feeling,
81 thought sol"
He held a trembling hand upon the
wheel and answered irrelevant ques-
tions at regular intervals. They were
now gliding along between hedge rows
of gorgeous autumn color. He began
to feel more at ease. Edmonia hummed
a little song as old as it was sweet:
"The rose that all are praising
Is not the rose for me-"
He looked at her, and in that look
forgot his new responsibility. She was
gazing steadily down the dusty turn
though she would see the knight of
her dreams in p1umed helmet and
shining armor riding to bear her away.
He couldn't catch u.s." said Perez
vale in response to her, thought. She
started and looked with more interest
at her companion. He had spoken in
the confidence that is born of ignor-
ance.
''Say, Ted. he continued. ''I don't
know much about your flowers of
chivalry!' L don't even understand the
first thing about an aut-" He caught
himself up. He positively would not
indulge this humiliating fact. He
went on more confidently: But you
are the rose for me, sure, Ted You |
must say you will marry me this |
time" he added with an air of desper-
alton, cor PHI"
The threat was not completed. In |
the earnestness of his plea Percivale !
had forgotten that he was running an |
for the first time in his |
life. They were now going at tre-
mendous speed and every instant |
gathering momentum. Edmonia grip |
ped his arm as they lurched around a I
curve and bounced over a culvert
Hang oni" yelled Percivale as they |
a slight descent. In his /
oi,,r,nr,r affo1-ts To cnratrnI the machine