The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-20
THE EVENING STORY
The Short Out,

Ing vines, was refreshing enough to
make any passerby look up a second
Tune. One did, though Marjorie was
quite unaware OF the fact.
Her thoughts were as far away as
the shadowy mountains beyond which
she had lived her old and happier life
For several years now Martorie's world
had been on this side Of the hills; so
she sighed, sat down by the open win
dow and began sewing interminable
yards of lace on strips of fine muslin.
The stitches were microscopic, as be-
Titled the trousseau of daughter Of
the rich"
Half an hour later a whistle, as spon-
taneous as birds tril1, made her jump
up and again look out OF the window
In the young man swinging down the
road Marjorie recognized one of the
summer guests. He opened the gate
window.
In her haste to escape being caught
in the very act of provincial curiosity,
Marjorie dropped her thimble. It
struck stone on the edge Of the walk
and with a metallic ring bounded off
into the garden. The young man res
cued it most gallantly.
1T isn't every day a young man
finds th1mbles growing in a garden"
he said. significantly dropping the sill
yer trifle into her hand.
Now Marjorie understood perfectly
well his reference to Peter Pans calling
kisses thimbles, but she feigned igno-
rance. Diverttng as such audacfty
might be, she must not encourage 1t.
Wherefore she said Thank YOU with
auStere courtesy.
you are Miss Marjorie Phillips, are
you not?" asked the unperturbed young
man. II started out very early this
morning to find you"
Marjorie glanced at the thimb1e,
which, unconsciously, she had slipped
oufo ffS nrOner finger
There's no denying the evidence"
she said with pensive little smile,
which crept straight into the young
mans heart.
II have a message for you, Miss Phil
lips, from my cousin-or rather" he
corrected, smiling up at her, "a re-
quest to make. Julia-Miss Robbins
has a friend visiting her and wants
to know at what time she may bring
her down this afternoon to see the
things you are making. There, think
got that right. Does it sound ra-
tionaI'
Quite Intelligent" laughed Marjorie.
please tell Miss Robbins that the ex-
hibit will be ready any time after two
which means"
"Oh, know" broke in the loquacious
message bearer. "It means that /
mustn't bother you any longer" Then
he added mischievously, II came by
here an hour ago on my way to the
NOAAAS
in. 1t was lucky you dropped the thin
BILE just when you
But at the word "thimble" Marjorie
took flight.
"Well," called Julia Robbins, as Ov-
erton reached the steps Of the lux
uriously appointed porch, did you de-
liver my message to the village sew
| ing girp'
Before replying Overton lit cigar
cite with exasperating elaboration.
Eyes," he answered at length. Il
gave your message to Miss Phillips, and
she says you and Miss Morton may
come any time after two"
upon my world" exclaimed the as
tonished Julia: We may come and
Look here, Julia Robbins, !" returned
Overton, feelingly. IT think It's an out
rage for a little flower of a girl ike
that to be sewing her eyes out for
another girl. who happens to have mon
ey, and CAN
"Stop right there" commanded Julia.
Catherine, here, will think you're a
hot-headed socialist. Would you have
me sewing my own eyes out, perchance,
dear cousin"
"well. perhaps am a bit hasty,
edly Forgive me and tell me what
you know about this little Miss Phil
lips"
YOU. I1GI Idillly oSO4 " SOAAO AAOA =
summers, I believe. And after her
father died bankrupt the girl took in
sewing for the summer folks. Does
that fire your young Imagination"
"And she supports herself and her
mother?" inquired Garrett, with cut
ting directness.
s'why. suppose So" answered
Julia languidly.
Whereupon, with a careless, well,
goodby, I'm Off for days fishing"
with little
Comprehension of the feminine con-
sternation he was leaving behind him.
Iulia was the first to recover.
"Don't you care, Catherine" she
said defiantly; 'we'n nip that little
romance in the bud.
sight of Marjorie at the window,
Oyerton swung open the little cottage
gate and called out cheer1ly: Lost
env more thimbles, Miss Phillips?"
Marjorie. her color mounting high,
! pretended not to hear and continued
| Sewing with nervous haste.
"yo1, have another message from
Miss Robbins?" she asked politely.
mot on your life!" was the unex-
pected reply. II came on my own
want to ask you some Questions"
"Tsu1 very busy, Mr.. Overton.
Garrett noted the knowledge OF his
name. He remembered that ne mao
not mention ned i h.a At b sna, mating In
nuiries about him! She was me- IN
| terested than she appeared.
"Do all girls think these frippery
| things "a necessary matrimonial as,
| set ?" he asked. indicating with a nod
| the piles of snowy thin stuH Oh 'no
"Your cousin and Miss Morton are
| not exceptions, think
A she mentioned the s,r1s name