The Topeka state journal., 1908-05-14
THE EVENING STORY

(By Temple Bailey. J

When the boys came back to college, |
Catherine Newlands displayed re5uven-
ated charms. The. enforced quiet Of the
summer season in the dull old town
had rested her, had frightened her eye. |
and given q tinge Of color to her
cheeks.
As she crossed the campus that nrst
morning, In scarlet sweater and white
linen skirt. with her tAwny hair In
big knot low on her neck. half dozen
Of the freshmen turned to look after
her.
Catherine felt their admiration with
thrill Of qualification For ten years
she had basked in the delight OF max
ing that first impression on the new
boys, and 1t was like q draught OF old
wine to tippler.
Now and then In her triumphant
progress Junior or senior stopped
her and greeted her with frank friend
liness. That was one OF the advan-
tages Of an affair with Catherine New
lands. She knew how to shade love
affair of into a good comradeship. and
the boys. who in their freshman years
had been her adorers, came Tor aovace
in their later love affairs.
For Catherine would have none OF
them. She liked to bask In the sunnent
OF their admiration, she liked to De the
queen Of the junior promenade. she
liked the violets and the blue pennants
and the crowd OF eager boys surround.
ing her at the football game. She nkeo
to sing Down the Field for them.
and to have them cheer her az tne
end: she liked to lead In their college
yell. and the roar of their young voices
was music In her ears. But that was
all!
"You are too young" she would say,
frankly. as some stricken youth wouio
plead, land besides, II I married you,
what would the other boys dor
| A lot of her old friends crowded
around her as she reached the library
steps, and there was q fringe OF un-
CONQUERED freshmen in the background.
But when she presently detached her
self from the group. it was one OF tne
faculty Oswald Ware. who accompan-
led her.
walked toward the great gate that ieo
out into the city street, IT'S SO sooo 10
have you back"
.Don't call me old boy" he flung out,
with a touch Of irritation. Heaven
knows I am old-but you needn't run 1t
in"
He was bareheaded and Catherine
glanced affectionately at his gray
You're lust right" she told him, and
then as her eyes swept the sceneM.ne
that seemed to breath benedict'on
over the boys, the boys themselves. OF
| the best college type. gracerul. htne,
strong young animals. ready Tor the
training that should make men OF
them-she exclaimed: Aren't they
fine? % It's the spirit of the place that
I love. Oswald. and it's the ideas OF
such men as you that help to prlns
| out the best in them"
"They are lot OF CUBS" eioomiiy'
..Weii they are. In the classes I
don't feel that way. know they are
going to be men some time. ana
want them to be the right sort. but
when I see you fritter1ng away your
time with them-you with all your pos
1T love it." she asserted, land when I
can't have their admiration any more,
| think the youth in me Will ole' Us
| wald."
are other things worth while-love ana
life and the needs Of humanity
at am not great enough for those
! things" obstinately: why didn't you
fan in love with some other girl. os-
because you are the one woman.
And 7 know you better than you do
yourself. Some day this will pan on
you -, .r A.,,+
| should rIl come to that stuffy little.
mussy little classroom Of yours-and
Thev had reached Lampson Hall. and
he was forced to leave her. AS she
made her way slowly across the cam m
nus her eyes were thoughtful, but ner
| ears were sharpened to hear the coH-
ments Of the new boys.
| .sWho is she?" came an eager Ques-
| ton.
| "Catherine Newlands."
"She's a beauty
"Mv dear boy, she is a back NUMBER.
She is %, If she's a day..
TT Vas the first note OF disloyafty to
her aueenship. and the man VINO IL. nau
said it for her to hear was sore over
| q rebuff, but the light seemed 70 go
out of the morning. The old ouiioings
frowned grim and gray above tne nor
| low square, and to add TO IL all ~
through the big gate came anne aF1th az fair hair air
T,ntilted on her high heels. with ner
mink ruff1es floating about her, sne was
| like a wild rose.
The boys on the campus renee Dell.
eagerly to watch the new arrival, ana
the freshmen, debarred from the
fence, but hanging in groups about the
| big gate, asked the question that had
SO often thrilled Catherine Newlands:
"Who> is she?"
Laughing and all a-fiutter with the
the other girl came toward Catherine.
. "Oh, Miss Newlands," she gurgled,
"don't you remember me?"
"It's Oracle Allendaie!" Catherine
said, brightly. why, Oracle, when
did you grow up
The other girl laughed. delighted1y.
yesterday, think" she said, when
mother told me that I needn't go back
| to school. 1 am going to be here all
winter and have the time Of my hfe."
Her lips answered the older girl, but
her eyes were on the boys. And sud-
denly she was swept away. with .
dozen laughing lads in her train. and
Catherine was left alone.
| One youngster ran back.
ssYou won't mind" he said. boytshly,
1--WE want to show her things"
Catherine shook her head.
NO. she said. slowly, II don't
| mind"