The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-18
The EVENING STORY
Doing Something desperate.
(By Jeannie olive Loizeaux.)

SoItened the Scorn of her glance
wnen she saw that it was Max who
had been sent back for her. She sat
alone in Jack Burroughs stalled ma
chine. Jack and his wife had walked
in, being due at an important func-
| ton.
"You!". Sylvia's tone matched the
intention of her glance.
Even I, Sylvia" he replied with
| rueful grin. Fate is sometimes de-
cent. A fellow has to risk what well
come is coming to him.
1T was horrid of the Burroughs
to send you, but they had to get to
that dinner. I suppose! My ankle
still refuses to let me walk far, or I'd
have gone with them afoot.''
Tall and fair, cap in hand. he was
standing with an offered hand to help
her down and into his own little run
about. But she did not move. His
glance followed hers to the gleam-
ing object held fearfully in her lap.
He took both hand and pistol as she
explained.
Jack would leave it when I in
sisted on their going and sending
back the first respectable person they
'.Thanksi Are you coming" He
removed her big hat and veil.
you know why I'm afraid! You're
worse than a pistol I can't trust
you Her tone was quite serious.
Next time you ask me to marry you
I shall do something desperate; l
would almost prefer staying here
tax me straight home? And behave?
You used to be nice when we were
children
Il won't propose-in the carl
promise. But I will not take you
straight home-it's too early-you
and the moon are too divinely fair.
1 don't want to behave especially, but
since I must I will. 1 will vary the
1 - M r
you have me?' but Why is it that you
won't have me?' Gomez"
Finally she reached him her hand,
but without excuse, he suddenly TOOK
her in his arms and lifted her to ms
car. For a few minutes thew spec
along with the June breezes freshen-
ing on their faces At length he
spoke, frankly, quietly.
sylvia. let's talk it over. L may
have annoyed you may have i. mage .s,e
a fool of myself imploring you to ne
mine times innumerable- like
comic opera hero with the same ola
song I don't know how to say II
many ways. 1t all comes to the same same
YOU" 1t pleased him to be whimsical
and Sylvia laughed. 1t was a change
from the dead serious. anyway he
was never modest about his real
worth He continued:
ST am lovab1e, too, with an affec-
tionate disposition What is the mat
ter, Sylvia? Please tell me. Will
not ask you again-in the car
promised-and never again at all once
I see YOU do not love me. You have
never flatIy denied that, you know"
He turned his face away that she
might speak freely, If she would NOT
that she had ever been embarrassed
with hirn-he wished she had AT
last she spoke.
you bring this on yourself. don't
feel-polite! You always make me so
irritable and-un1ovely. L want TO lily
when I see you comingi L came out
with the Burroughs to be rid or you,
and to save them from each other
company. I can't tell you just why
it is, but the sight of you makes me
contrary and I cannot say what you
want me to-" Speeding little more,
he turned to her coolly.
you are never unlovely, SYLVIA.
Just how do I irritate you? ?" They
glided on through the soft dusk, be-
tween dark, sweet-breathlnS Wood5
and lighter meadow lands On and
on they came, nearer the city whose
myriad lights seemed to flash toward
them from the dim hills.
land you make me think when 1
don't want to. It's like pushing some
thing away that you do not want 10
come too close. L simply don't seem
to want to be married. L" she
stopped short
rs that it? OF course you have to
decide that. What is it you do want
in your life, Sylvia? To grow old
alone? Your aunt won't always live
Do you want to earn your own living
Do you know of anything that would
be satisfactory substitute for mar
ried love? Do you want to study some
art or rofesSiOn-medicine, for IN
stance? Do you want to be an old
maid. and remember that you had O.
lover who, man and boy, would do
anything-die for you-live for YOU
and with you, and give you what nap
piness he could coax from the scheme
of things? Don't I interest you? Must
I lose my money, or must 1 take sick
and almost die, or save somebody in
some romantic stunt to make myself
interesting? I want to know where
am. what 1 can do? Are you tired of
seeing me about? I might go away q
few years; shall II" She laughed at
his ridiculous, half practical, half SEN
timental vein, so characteristic of him.
'Perhaps 1 am just too used to you,
Max You used simply to say you
were going to marry me. The last
year you have leased me by asking me
till you make me cross. don't know
Just how I do feeIi 1 can't seem to
get any perspective on you-or on
at all. You seem to stand
between me and understanding. 1 am
not a coward-but think of the re-
ways on the ragged edge of quarrel, |
simply because the only |
thing they agree on is hating scan |
dali If Kitty had said no they might !
both have been happy. It's big |
responsible of a mans |
happiness, especially if one might get /
very much-and I have no
body of my own, really
His pulses sang at her words, but !
he forbade himself to reach for her |
hand which lay on her lap ungloved.
Really, Max, the uncertainty. and |
being bothered, and all. has put me
On the verge of-anything. lately. 1
even thought how soon that-little-
pistol would decide things for mel If
this goes on I shall certainly study
ad icira from 11nn1.i11er |