The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-11
The EVENING STORY
The Rejected Dream Man.
by Amelia Truesdale.

| Roy Adams padding about among the
water lilies with Ruby Lane had just
come near proposing to her, and she to
refusing him, this being their custom
airy daily diversion. Now he was watch
ing her lazily. That was what irritated
ner so-his inordinate laziness. He was
large and blonde, with placid blue eyes.
like sleepy baby's. She was little and
trim as waxwork. and her gray eyes
were clear and keen.
i don't know what kind of fellow
you want, he grumbled amiably, with
an indolent movement of one oar.
ergetic.''
Think I've got him in my minds
eye" Roy gave the other oar an easy
touch Small and bustling-and chip
perry, like the little cock sparrow who
sat on a tree"
He isn't like that in the least
Rupy sat up prim and stiff, and rosy
with Indignation.
''Oh, isn't he? Beg his pardon. Where
is he now?''
AT work." Ruby replied promptly,
her tone implying a comparison be-
tween man thus profitably employed
and one who idled his time away at
a summer hotel.
Perhaps he has an object in view"
Roy insinuated.
Perhaps Ruby admitted demurely.
And-um--is the object to be attain
ed soon?'
Ruby let her eyes drop toward the
top ruffie of her blue organdie.
II don't know exactly; not before
next SPRING She was dabbHng her
hand in the lake, her eyelashes still
slanting downward.
"Ah! Congratulate him, and every
thing. Shall we row over to that
bunch of willows, or down to the little
cover"
For an instant Ruby wished she
might tip the boat over. just to see if
his exasperating equanimity would be
disturbed by such an emergency.
Il don't believe it would she decid-
ed in disgust. He'd get us out If he
could conveniently. and if he couldn't
he'd drown with the contented smile on
his face, as serenely as if he were
wooden Shem out of a toy Noahs ark
Mrs. Albert Lloyd was peacefully GRO
eheting when her sister Ruby whirled
in upon her, cast herself into a rocking
chair and rocked tempestuously for
three minutes. Mrs. Albert viewed her
quietly, suspending her crochet hook
for a moment.
Been fencing with Mr.. Adams
again?'' she queried mildly.
Yes" Ruby answered, but 1 hard
ly think he'll care about fencing any
more
mo? Why not?"
81 practically told him I was-engag-
Dear me! And to whom?"
"a person I invented
you unprincipled wretch! What did
you do it for?''
Just to see what effect it would
have
"And what effect did it7''
| None at all. You couldn't stir him
up to move an eyelash, whatever you
did: he's too sublimely lazy even to
lose his temper
| Mrs. Albert shook her head gently.
You're off the track" she comment
| ed unwinding more scarlet wool. He
may perhaps be guilty Of always keep
| ing his temper, and, let me tell you, a
married woman would consider that a
livery good failing; but as for being lazy
I-Albert's friends say that. although he
has that lazy way and looks as If he
were letting things go to smash If they
want to-he has his eye on everything
and every move he makes counts. /
shouldn't wonder if you've put your
silly foot in it for once. with your in
vented man"
| Mrs. Lloyd ceased her lecture as she
found herself talking to a dissolving
view of blue organdie ruffies and
couple OF .whisking sash ends and re-
turned to her crocheting.
Roy appeared before Ruby early the
next day in his usual calm frame of
mind and his boating rig.
| Think he'll object to your going out
on the lake with me just once more?"
he asked. I'm going away early to-
| morre " morning"
What for?" she asked.
Have to- he responded. Vacation
comes to an end tonight Can you go?"
She reflected dismally that she must
yesterday to be an unfounded one or
bid goodbye forever to this exasper-
ating man, and she knew now that the
latter was something she could not do
and retain any shred of happiness. She
waited, however, until they were out
on the blue, soothing bosom of the lake.
Then she rushed into it.
He couldn't object, you know" she
said, reverting to his remark OF some
time before, because he's only. fic-
ton"
"a dream MANI" he asked. She
| nodded, blushing uncomfortably.
He hummed bar Of when a Dream
Came True" and settled back easily.
Ruby looked down in silence. She was
waiting for him to say something else
and he was carelessly moving an oar
now and then, and apparently think
| ing of nothing at all She noticed for
| hands looked; they were not the hands
| of lazy man.
They drifted along aimlessly.
TT was silly story to tell" Ruby
said at last.
| "Oh, don't know" he answered in
diligently. II rather thought you were
fabricating. But you might realize him
yet. you know
Il don't want to-" Her voice was a
/ little uneven.
'sPoor dream man; I sympathize
with him. I'm sure. Like to have
| that pond lily?'
Thank you. I don't care for it:
| let's go back
| He agreed amiably. 'I ought to get
| back early" he said. II promised
| Kingsland to come over and go fishing
this afternoon; SO we may not see each
other again. Caesar, isn't this a day
| for fishing, thought"
| Ruby's cheeks tingled as she walk
ed silently beside him through the
/ light, dry grass on the way to the no.
| TEL while he stalked cheerfully along,
making irritatingly pleasant remarks