The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-23
THE EVENING Story
White vioIets.
By virginia Blair.

gossip so at the hotel"
This isn't gossip. I've known it for
a long time, Margaret"
'Oh"-the sigh was almost a sob-''he
has always seemed such a gentleman"
He has the training of one," Mrs
Kent affirmed. His mother is charm
ing"
After moments silence Margaret
broke out: But he saved my life, Aunt
Clara"
There was a rustic of skirts as Mrs.
Kent moved impatiently in her chair.
Yes, and that's the worst of it,"
Mrs. Kent ended the longer silence
that followed by ringing for lights.
mo, no." Margaret protested; "I Ike
it better with just the fire.
But 1 must go, dear, and dress for
dinner, and wou will be so dreary alone
in the dark
As she rose and stood by the couch
her caressing fingers touched Mar
garet's cheek and found tears on it.
You'd better have the lights" she
said, and there was a worried note In
her voice. Il hate to leave you here
alone"
"oh, I shall be all right" Margaret
said. iii lie here in the dark and pet
Toodlekins."
Still protesting, Mrs. Kent found her
way out, and after a time in the big
room there came the sound of a stif1ed
sob, and another and another, and after
flame of the fire died down. The green
eyes of the little cat. Struggled close to
her mistress, glowed in the blackness.
The click of an electric button and
the f1are-up lights brought Margaret's
head out of the cushion where she had
buried it. She shielded her face with
her hand.
you are early, Uncle Dick
I'm late. What's the matter with
the lights? Why didn't you get some
49, oA%
''I like the dark
Queer taste" He gave her a keen
look and sat down in the chair by the
council. 'How's the foot?"
ut hurts a little. but it's going to be
all right"
Everybody at the club is talking
about your accident. They are making
a regular hero of Ridgeway." He set
tied himself back in the big chair and
smiled at her genially. HE must have
had the strength of Hercules to hold
those horses back"
Hes awfully strong" Margaret said,
and sat up. His college record in ath-
letics is fine"
He hunked in some of his studies,
though Mr.. Kent leased.
Margaret's face famed, IT know"
She smoothed the little cat with nerv-
Gus fingers. Isis he very i'll, Uncle
Dick?"
"Who, Ridgeway? Um-well, that de-
ponds! He's a mighty nice fellow,
Peggy" He caught the eagerness of
her eyes, and pulled himself up. THAT
IS, oh. well, your Aunt Clara wouldn't
exactly approve of him. and-and-I
don't know that he's just the friend for
you Margaret"
"Ohp' came in f1uttering protest, and
after that Margaret lay with her eyes
closed and nothing was said for several
minutes
Tired. little girl2" asked her uncle
finally, and when she nodded he stood
up.
! IT must go and dress for dinner" He
hesitated by the couch, looking down at
her until she opened her eyes and held
put her hand and said: Dear Uncle
Dick and then he patted her cheek
and said. little huskily, Cheer up
This time there was no friendly dark
ness to hide the tears, so Margaret
1abbed at them with her handkerchief.
and stared until a ring of the front
loor bell brought her to an upright
position.
TITS Mr.. Ridgeway." the maid an
I'm afraid I can't see himP Mar
yaret said. nervously.
Please" doomed a big voice from
he hall. please, don't turn me out
ike that"
ooh. WELL" Margaret agreed. and the
maids place between the curtains was
by young man as big as his
'oice. who came over and picked up the |
PUSSY cat and dropped a small square |
'ox in it's place. eff you'll let me pet |
Foodlekins. I'll let you have some |
lowers" he said and as he sat down |
he little cat curled into the hollow of |
lis arm and sang her song of content |
nent, unruffied by the change.
There were white violets in the box, |
nd Ridgeway said. his big voice soft |
ned by some fine emotion: ''Thev AL
ma OF
"Oh, don't! don't!" Margaret said |
nth quick-caught breath, and Ridge |
ray stared at her in a puzzled way.
Don't you like them?" he asked.
Eyes"
We'll. it's a funny way to show it."
here was so much of the boy in him
hat Margaret smiled in spite of her
elf.
don't want you to bring them to me
ny more"
You don't
1T mean it." she said. family; you
1ustn't bring me any more flowers"
why not?" sharply.
Because 1 can't take them"
Why can't you take them?"
That's isn't any reason" he flung
ut. DO you mean that you don't want
lie to conner"
She held out one slim hand to him.
Don't" she said, beseechingly: don't
peak to me like that. We must always
e good friends-but you mustn't
ONE"
He took her hand. cts to be Just
riends?"
yes"
Never anything more?''
Never"
And yet that night after the acct
emit you let me kiss you-Margaret."
yes" very low.
The fire fickered and snapped. The
title cat, disturbed somewhat, slipped
own from Ridgeway's arms and curled
erself up on the rug.
Would you mind" Margaret said at ,
st, turning off the upper light? The
rong glare hurts my eyes .
The rosy halo of the lamp made dark !