The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-13
TIE EVENING STORY

(By Martha Cobb sanford. !

How Katherine Searle came to be
JACK Carrington's ward belongs to
me early chapters of long story. 1t
oates back In fact, fifteen years,
when Katherine was a three-year-old
baby, and Darlington young man
of twenty.
But at the beginning Of the present
cnapter, after having been finished
on at very proper boarding school.
Katherine had just returned from a
winter in Europe with Carrington's
married sister.
And Darlington as he sat In the
twilight on the luxuriously appointed
porch of his out-of-town house was
expectantly awaiting a promised at
| ter-dfnner talk with her.
IN accordance with q long and care
iuliy formulated plan, he felt that the
| time had now come for him to take
prepare her for the prominent part
she was sure to play in world OF ad-
/ mfr1ng, but alas, inconstant men.
| Katherine, radiant in a funny glory
OF some soft delicate stun beyond
mans comprehension, at length trip
ped out through the easement door
and perched herself affectionately on
the arm OF her guardians easy chair.
He took her little white hand In his
and patted it gently as he would q
child's.
'T suppose you haven't begun to
think about marriage yet, little girl ?"
he asked. by way OF tactful begin
ming.
begun to think about it?" echo>S
Katherine. why. I've always thought
about it--always. and always.''
Darlington looked up at her in
amazement.
Him." he unused. at haven't be-
gun moment too soon, It seems,
Then aloud no added. 80 you've al
ways thought about marriage, my
dear? Well, well! And what have you
| thought about it?"
Katherine threw her arms about his
neck and gave him an energetic hug.
Then she placed cushion at his feet
and settled herself comfortably.
"I'n tell you." she began confiden-
tally. Eve always adored fairy
stories and of course, there's a glor-
tous young prince in every fairy story,
you know. Well. it was always fun,
when was a little girl, to imagine
myself the beautiful princess whom
the prince was looking for-and now
I I'm grown up, Guardy dear, it's Just
as much fun she finished naively.
Darlington laughed heartily. He
was greatly relieved.
Imaginary princes are all very
harmless and proper, little KIT" he
commented indulgently, "but pretty
soon you'll begin to think about real
everyday men,"
! Pretty soon?" she queried, teas
ing1y. ,-1.
Dear mel" exclaimed Darlington,
. with an unconcern he was far from
feeling. you've not thought about
real men already"
You'd call Harvey Dunton a real
man, wouldn't your" Katherine ask
ed. looking at him roguishly.
Carrington's testing mood passed in
a flash. He shut his teeth with sud
den vexation.
4 where did you meet Harvey Dun
. t<,r, h, fn~ f~AA lit
ION the steamer coming back" an
| swered Katherine. "Your sister in
troduced him. He's really very de-
voted to me. He's coming around Ia
} ter this evening. He sings, you know,
and I've promised to play his &C
Guardy? You don't look as though
you do"
} "oh, Dunton's all right" he an.
swered good naturediy. suddenly alive
to the fact that he must play his hand
cautiously. You evidently like him
little grip" he parted.
81 don't know, really, Guardy. Blu
likes me. That's as far as We got.
I was Katherine's ingenious reply
I'm not taking him very seriously
exactly like the prince I've been ex
! pechng."
"I should hope not" muttered Car
, rington.
, what did you say
"I said he's coming across the law1
out here. and listen to the music. i
you don't mind. Kit"
"Just as you like. Guardy dear.
, laughed Kitty. "I'u come out AGAR
after he's gone and tell you how WI
got on
"wen?" asked Darlington, an houl
or SO later, as Katherine appeared
suddenly in the doorway.
She did not answer. but stood a
II spellbound. This was a bad sign
+ preted it.
"Well?" he ventured again. THU
time a trifie peremptorily.
'Guardy!" exclaimed Katherine
, her rapt expression breaking into ths
merriest of smiles, ira forgotten yot
were out here"
That's the way it seemed to me-
returned Darlington drily. "Duntor
! has a very alluring voice, hasn't he
I Come over here, you mischievous kit
. ten. and confess. as you promised.
FL Katherine came slowly.
III 9TH tell you, Guardy," she begaE
: hesitatingly, perching herself a. usua
on the arm Of his chair. THAT IL, 1.
can. hardly know myself how
!, isn't singing, I don't like him any bet.
, ter than 1 do lots of other men
: not nearly as well as some, but
> Lots Of other men did I under
: stand you to say?" interrupted Car
rington.
'Oh, we'll, three or four, Guardy
, What do a half dozen. more or less
matter? 90
There's safety in numbers, to be
sure" replied Darlington. tritely.
ABut, let's go back to Dunton. You
were going to tell me how you feel
about him..
i Immediately Katherine dropped her
frivolous mood and became thought
full.
, when he's talking, Guardy, he
j might Just as well be any man, as
, I told you; but when he sings-well