The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-18
THE EVENING STORY
Gordon's Proposal.
(By Clara H. Holmes.)

(By Clara H. Holmes.)
THAT Gordon Mcfarland" remark
ed Davy Moulton. SIS the limit. He
hasn't courage enough to propose"
"HuhI Do you want to marry him,
that you are so anxious about it?"
mo. I haven't cherry lips and
dimples-"
Never mind the inventory. Brother
Davy," she replied.
"All right. sis. but it'll never hap
pen unless you propose. In the pres
ence of his divinity-meaning you
he is reduced to a pulp"
The sting to this teasing was in it's
truth. Gordon was devotion itself, yet
it was q silent alteration. He seemed
unable to utter a word in her pres
ence. She had given him many OPP
portunities. in that unexplainable way
a woman has, and once or twice he
had floundered and stammered with
torted so whimsically that she had
silenced him completely.
A Woman's motives are difficult to
fathom. Bess, in an unusual fit of
graciousness, had allowed Gordon to
escort her to a ball. She was justly
vain of her escorts appearance as
she Struggled beside him in the depths
of the carriage. But by the time they
had arrived her manner had changed
visibly, so much so that she almost
ignored him after the conventional
first dance. He had tangled his feet
hopelessly in her train. and missed
step until she was nearly beside her
self with modification.
There was ample excuse for his be-
wilderment She was intoxica tingly
lovely with her draperies floating,
cloudlike, about her bare shoulders,
and the flush of exercise tinting her
face like a rose. Davy's comment was,
Gordon looks as If he would like to
eat her."
Bess was so provoked at this that
she intended to punish Gordon by
flirting outrageosuly. Besides, If
could make him cross, he might pluck
up q fraction of courage" she
thought
It vexed her still more because she
felt that he understood her motive
So did Davy, and he would not fail to
tease her on the morrow.
Carelessly tossing Gordon her bou-
quet in passing. she walked off with
Gerald Stone for an Ice.
"Queer duck, that Gordon. Doesn't
appear to have much to say remark
ed Gerald inSinuatingly.
Here the eternal feminine came to
the surface. "Oh, don't know!" Her
tone was resentful in the extreme. The
next instant she said sweetly, Here's
Just the nook for a quiet chat. Let
us sit here awhile; 1.-THE ice can wait
so can Gordon. He'd hold my bou-
quet all night" laughingly.
An hour later, Gordon sat abstract
edly pulling at the petals of the roses;
convey to her that which he found
SO difficult to say.
In upon his musing, dribbled the
conversation of two acquaintances.
so Gerald Stone has won Bessie
Moulton? thought Gordon was to be
the man, but he lacked courage. He
deserves to lose her. He should know
a woman despises a faint heart" said
a voice he knew.
at wonder how she would like 1t II
she knew that Gerald boosted to me
of his conquest? He told us a great
Joke that she had left Gordon to moon
over her bouquet. Said they were go
ing to slip away and let him hunt for
her when he had tired of the flow
ers Seemed to think it mighty funny"
answered the speakers companion.
"It's contemplate. I wouldn't have
thought it of Bessie Moulton! was
the reply as they sauntered down the
The sturdy independence of Cor
don's Scotch ancestry rose within him.
He attached his card to the flowers
and left them in the cfoakroom; then,
with a determined step. he left the
Ress loitered in her frivolous chat
with the man she detested, dawdled |
over her ice, and finally sauntered
back to the dancing hall, apparently
obiivious to the fact that she had
promised this two-step to Gordon. !
She expected him to be waiting for
her. When he was not to be seen she |
was perturbed.
"Come on, let's take this two-step,"
said Gerald, with great familiarity.
mo. thanks" hotly resenting his |
tone. "You have had more than |
enough of my company for one even |
ing" she added lightly, lest she be- |
tray annoyance as to Gordon.
An hour or so later she called Ger
aid to her side. ST claim a woman's |
prerogative-I have changed my
mind. You may take me home"
AS he bowed his thanks he thought
of his boast to Van Asyltine and
smiled. ST suspect it was he who
tattled."
Bess kept up a running-fire of nom
sense all the way home, effectually |
excluding sentiment
Gordon waited in the shadow of
the trees until they arrived. He
meant to assure himself that he was
not being misled, and that he was do
ing her no injustice.
7.Not dignified, this, but I must
make sure. do not blame her for 1t,
hit she might have been more kind |
about 1t. I certainly subjected her
to ridicule, and then, when she show
ed me her favor so plainly and 1 was
such a tongue-tied fool that couldn't
take advantage of it. she must have
I do not know what
she could think but that I was a |
fool" he muttered bitterly.
He watched Gerald assist her from
the carriage. with what looked to his
Jealous eyes an embrace, and as she
turned to enter the house he gave
her the flowers. She tossed them into