The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-16
THE EVENING STORY
A Sentimental Leeacy.
[By Martha Cobb sauford

II was impossible to convince Marion
Earle-she was. only 10 and very pretty
that the course of true love never
does run smooth. Indeed, she believed
that there was danger Of its running
too smoothly.
Had she not been engaged one whole
month to Gregory Holbrook without
the suggestion even OF q cloud on the
horizon OF their happiness.
You don't ind it monotonous, do
You. Gregory, just loving me this way?"
sne asked him Unexpectedly one even
ing.
the brown head on his shoulder. II
should say not. / hope we'n go on low
ing each other this way forever
But I DON'T" piped up Marion, sud
denly sitting bolt upright.
Gregory could not believe his ears.
You don't want me to go on loving
you this way. sweetheart he gasped.
ON, yes, OF course; with interims.
dear" sighed Marion. but couldn't
s you manage to misunderstood me
We'll. certainly do not understand
you now, replied Gregory.
oh. that's an entirely different
thing, Marion explained.
Its one thing not to understand a
person at ALL" explained Marion pat
iently, land another thing to misunder-
Il,
to quarrel
You don't want me to quarrel with
you, dearest7" Gregory asked in
amazement.
Marion nodded her head.
"Um-hum," she admitted. IT'S such
fun to make up
AS Gregory burst out laughing a
spark Of something very like real anger
kindled in Marion's brown eyes.
You're making fun of me-" she chal-
lenged.
"Of course, am, you foolish little
girl" chuckled Gregory, gathering her
into his arms in a mighty hug and
smothering all her protests.
We'll that was a failure" emphasized
Marion, as soon as she could get her
breath.
THE hug?" asked Gregory, seriously.
mo, Of course not" asserted Marion
Il meant the quarrel. Just the same,
Gregory, I shall think up some way to
make our courtship exciting yet"
In spite Of this warning, Holbrook
was completely surprised when he re-
ceived, within 4s hours. the following
note from Marion:
Dearest Gregory" 1t ran, 1--WE
thought of something. Aren't you glad?
The inspiration came to me while read
| ing the letters of the fBrownings. Just
imagine our being engaged a whole
| month without any chance OF writing
each other love letters! Why, we might
| have gone on and been married with
out having a single billet-doux to tie
up in ribbon and put away in an old
trunk for our grandchildren. So I'm
going away. You'll find my address
below. No. you can't see me off. but
be sure to have a long letter to meet
| me. Oh. isn't it going to be fun? Good
MARION.
Up. S.-This will be the first letter in
your collection, so be sure to save it."
Holbrook showed aside pile Of I'M
opened mail and proceeded to write
Marion exactly what he thought OF her
| "a strange medley OF mild reproach
and extravagant endearment. This he
sent off Special and then turned
listlessly to his business correspond
ence.
But as his mind wandered every now
and then to the thought of getting a
big, bulging envelope from Marion the
next morning, he became more recon-
feverish with anticipation. Marion was
right, after all. It was exciting, and
absence certainly did make the heart
grow fonder.
The next morning Holbrook found
his mail, as usual, assorted in CLASSIFIED
piles on his desk. Taking up the batch
marked Personal he began to run 1t
over eagerly. He stopped suddenly as
colored postal card, popped unexpect-
eddy into sight. He held it up closer
| legibly fine writing.
|, .'Dearest Boy" he made out. cit is
lovely here, although you may not
think so from this P. c. You were
perfect dear to have that long letter
waiting here for me. Isn't the scheme
working out beautifully? No time for
more now. Write as soon as you get
| this. M"
For a few wrathful moments Hol-
brook sat chewing viciously on the
| end of his penholder. Suddenly, with
the manner Of one who has made up
his mind, he threw it down and called
| his stenographer.
my dear Miss Earle" he dictated.
| Thinking you may find 1t more con-
venient in our future correspondents
to have on hand some of my self
addressed business envelopes, I am
having q dozen OF them sent to you
under separate cover. More will be
forwarded as soon as the supply is
exhausted.
"You failed to state in your recent
communication how long you think it
will take for your scheme to mater
| ialize. Please do not fail to notify me
on this point at your earliest conven-
fence. Respectfully yours, ETC."
Sooner than Gregory had deemed 1t
possible, the post brought back to him
| one of his "self-addressed" envelopes.
He opened it with mingled emotion of
curiosity and apprehension.
my dear Mr.. Ho1brook," he read,
| and looked very sober as he did 30.
you see I have taken your hint-or
rather am obeying your orders. I re-
greet that the postal card offended you.
! It was at the time my only means OF
| communication.
MAY 1 request, however, that in
| our future correspondence you favor
| me with written rather than dictated
letters? Undoubtedly you were driven
to this expedient by the press of busi-
ness.
"As to the length Of time 1t will
pro baby take for the fruition of my
scheme, I am sorry to say that from
the way things are progressing at
present it is impossible to predict any