The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-14
The EVENING STORY
Vengeance. e
(By Forbes Dwight.)

the much decorated motor disappear
down the road in a cloud of dust, out
of which the white ribbons still flut-
tered in fiambuoyant fashion.
The. ground before him was white
with rice. while here and there de-
crepit shoe, having done its duty in
speeding the parting couple, lay in pa
thetic neglect. its brief moment of
popularity now over.
his heel and made his way up the
gravel walk, past groups of pretty
laughing girls, each with its attendant
train of satellites.
On the wide veranda the orchestra
played lifting waltzes, to which appar-
emily no one was listening; and hear
by the brides mother, portly. rather
handsome woman, was talking gayly
with a solemn-faced young man, whom
Cuyler recognized as the officiating
rector.
"Where is Elinor?" he asked. as
Mrs. Trenholme turned to him with
a welcoming smile, which plainly in
vited him to join her.
"Elinor? Really, Fritz, haven't
the least idea. Isn't she down there
on the lawn?''
Cuyler shook his head.
''She was standing beside me when
they entered the motor" he explained,
land after they had started I found
that she had slipped away"
at think the rector interposed, ST
saw her going through the house
moment ago. She went through the
rear door, if I remember"
THANK you," said Cuyler. He en-
tered the hall, crossed to the door at
the rear and stepped out on the broad
veranda that commanded fine view
of the hills~to the west.
Below him, the formal gardens on
the terrace were cool. and green, to
his disappointment. apparently de-
serted
Lighting a cigarette, he descended
the broad steps and sauntered leisure
ly along the path that led down the
terrace.
He had proceeded no great distance;
when from behind a clump of bay
trees he caught the flash OF white
dress.
He tossed the cigarette away. and
turned from the path. Behind the
barrier of bay trees was rustic seat,
and sitting very straight on this seat,
her hands clasped and her eyes a most
suspicious red, was Elinor Trenholme.
Cuyler was beside her in an instant
well, WELL" he said lightly. yet not
without a certain touch of gentleness
in his voice, "this is rank desertion. 1t
will never do in the world. Aren't you
going to ask me to be seated?'
81 came here to be alone" she said,
doubtfully. I'm not sure that I want
you here just now"
But nevertheless she moved over
and made room for him beside her.
Cuyler at once took the seat, looking
at her searchingly meanwhile.
''You shouldn't feel about it in the
way you do" he chided, gravely.
And how do you think feel?" she
challenged.
Cuyler looked at her again. Rather
cut up, fancy" he replied.
you are wrong. I am not cut up,
as you choose to call it. Only-only-"
"Only what?" said he.
"Of course he's perfectly splendid"
she said slowly, land 1 am awfully
proud of him, just as we all are, but
but somehow 1 can't help being sell
fish. / can't bear the idea of giving
UP. Margaret to him. We've always
been together, she and l. and--andE---
to it,
Cuyler saw something glistening in
her eyes. A tear coursed slowly down
her cheek, and hung in ridiculous
fashion on the point of her chin. She
brushed it away almost savagely.
you see" Cuyler declared. at was
sure you would feel this way about it.
That was why I came out here to find
you"
I'm not sure how 1 feel about it
myself yet said she.
ooh, can make a good guess" he
replied. You are verv glad that she
is to be SO happy, and yet there is
little ache in your heart that you can't
deny, try as you will to do so. There
is an end to something-just what you
can't definitely decide; but something
has gone out of your life-of that you
are certain. Isn't that it?''
"Yes. that is just it. How did you
know so well?" she asked.
Cuyler turned to her with a smile
of understanding. 81 have a brother
he asid simply. "He was very close to
me-closer, indeed, than anyone else
in the world, until one fine day he
found the other, and, of course, the
greater happiness, just as your sister
has done. 1t was tremendously lonely
without him.
But you got over it in time" she
asked quickly.
'In way, yes; in another way, no."
said he.
She looked at him questioningly. He
was smiling down at her with a GER
tain whimsical gravity. :.
There is only one way to get even
with these. people-this sister of yours
and this brother of mine" he asserted
"And how is that?" she asked.
Follow suit he said.
Her brows wrinkled in a perplexed
frown. "I don't exactly catch your
meaning she said.
Cuyler suddenly leaned toward her
There was something in his eyes that
brought quick flash to her cheeks.
Lets not permit these other people
TO nave all the idpplilSSS III the WOrlO-
Let's reserve a. little for ourselves. p"
said he.
Her head was turned from him.
Presently he saw her shoulders shake
convlflsively. At the same time she
arose from the bench.
"I'm-Im going down to the pond" -
she faTtered, still refusing to look at
him. please, please, stay here and
don't come until I call you.'
"Just minute. Elinor," he pleaded.
want TO saw
But with a little imperious gesture
she moved away. leaving him there
somewhat mystified and decidedly an
CRY. As II
He sat down again on the rustic
seat drew out a cigarette and began
smoking furiously. When it was
burned out he lighted another, and
then another. T