The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-14
THE EVENING STORY



| ripples formed by the current as ~
raced toward the sea. The tide was Just
| at the turn and the water r1ppieo Over
| the shadows in a million gleamlns
rounded the estuary were stu green,
and but for the brilliant tlnts OF INC
scrub oaks Dolly could almost lmasine
that it was still summer
Isn't 1t glorious! she crleo ~ the
ton Bray followed her through tue
trees. TT was positively an insplrat tt,n
to open the cottage for week III Inc
fall p..v
TT is very pleasant" agreed pray.
"It was still more good OF you h ~ -" TO
me down. 1 regretted my ihaoieS ~
come down this summer: ..1.,.
"Tat,s hurry up," said Dolly. It's
horrid when the tide goes out. Even IN
the channel the water As SO 10" 'A"e
there is no fun rowing.
The girl observed with satisfaction
+,a+ Rrav obeyed her in5unctlon
nromptIy. Something in his tone nao
added that he regretted the lost oppo5
unity of the summer, because ne nau
meant to propose to her then. She was
not minded to give him that opportunl-
tv now. For more than year Sray
ana Tommy Gordon had struggled TOT
her hand and not yet had she peen aoie
to decide her preference.
She had skilfully evaded olleI. -;
posaI from either, but she was begln,
ming to feel hopelessly that she Wouio
de q spinster since choice still seemed
impossible She admired Gordon's VI
yacity and life, and she also aomlreu
Rrav's grave reserve. No girl wants
for a husband a man who is always
tester. and, on the other hano, blaS
Sometimes frightened her by MS eraVi-
ty and earnestness- hin,
Nothing ever seemed to upset mn.
His clothes were always as trinity nea.
&c though he had Just left mis- dressing
room and Gordon had gained a iausn
on his rival when he had declared lna.
BRAY selected his clothes TO nlalGn -,
temper. Both were lacking IN vlo,en
contrasts 'Peter Perfection" they nau
oU 800 RI call him. and as for Dolly
Tat,Im. she was afraid that she couio
not measure up to his standards:
She watched him as he bused MIN
self with the light skin, no1ins ~
precision of his movement. .;.., Thich
than the unhurried speed with whic ,
he prepared for the trip. Inc ot Isl
ness sIit he had worn down from the
civ was scarcely boating costume
and he looked out of place, liue .
as he got the boat reaoy po,,v to
her Mace in the stern, ana prepaleu
TO shove off, the girl leaned Sacs
AGAINST the seat and gave sign u
content. o. Bray
IT love the river" she SAID, as pray
took up the oars. coulu ny vas
hack without one more trip. Wo
an the water every day last sumner :;
IT'S a shame to drag you out TO row:
"T was only too glad to come saiu
BRAY calmly Gin view OF tne asc1
have not had to share your socsety
18th others I consider myself Tor
tunate indeed" .a
Dollv's fingers closed over the SIDE
Of the boat She had trusted TO neI
skill to avoid personalities, anu 20
cd
There was a logged look In Bray
face which told that he would not De
put Off ,. 90 +,,.
for some time" he went on quletiy,
not pausing in the strons, even
strokes that were carrying them rap
idly toward the channel nave
been seeking an opportunity LOT pu'-
ting my fate to the test: you NUS
know that 1 love you, Dolly am
not very success1ul IN nas no
feelings where you are concerned. 10
Won think that you could learn to care
for me. dear; care for me enough 10
marry me? 1 know that L am not as
live1y as Gordon, but I love you very
dearly. Perhaps that should pc ar
e11ed as a point in my favor, though
how could I help loving you-I or any
other MANI"
Do,ly' face grew grave and the
tender little mouth took on oroop
that made Bray long to kiss It, she
did not speak for a. few minutes, but
Looked mast the oarsnan with eyes
that did not see the glorious autumn
al panorama The banks turned a
blur of green and yellow and red
through the tears that had come I'M
hidden.
hand with a little appealing gesture.
"Please don't ask an answer now"
she said gently Don't spoil the
morning--my last row. Perhaps to-
night
Bray bowed gravely and bent to the
oars. finding in the work vent for
the tension within. He fancied that
he had already received an answer.
and as he bent his back to the oars.
so also he bent his head to defeat. Al
most before they realized it the boat
had reached the head of the inlet and
had grated gently on the sand.
Lets drift back" proposed Dolly.
cit will give you chance to rest"
Obediently Bray pulled back into
the channel and unshipped the oars:
Then he moved forward one seat and
as they foated with the tide he tried
to set Dolly at her ease with small
talk. So engrossed did they become
in their conversation that they never
noticed that they were drifting into
trouble until with a bump the boat
settled against the railroad bridge
that spanned the water. A sharp
wind was blowing and 1t had forced
them out of their course.
Bray sprang for an oar to pole back
into the channel. In his excitement
he was less careful than usual. When
he gave lunge for the oar he felt his
footing shift as the fiat-bottomed boat
tipped to one side. The next instant
he felt the shock of cold water.
Dolly gave a shrek as he went
overheard, but the next instant her
terror was turned to mirth at the
sight of Bray sitting in two feet of
water with an expression of Startled
wonder on his face.
1t was only for a second that the
tableau was posed. then Bray scram-
bled to his feet and climbed back into
he boat His trousers cl11nor xs-<tI.r -.