The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-15
THE EVENING STORY
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Harrington.


said Mrs. Wainwright, thoughtfully.
indeed, you must monopoIize her,
while she's here
Ted harrington blew out a cloud of
smoke and smiled lazily.
Must I, now, Annette?" he said.
'Whyfore and wherefore 2"
shes dangerous" said Mrs. VAIN
wright, with the air of one imparting
select and exclusive condolences. "She's
a disturbing element. I rely on you to
keep the peace of the house while
she's here. Fact is, Teddy, dear, she's
a most incOrrigible and heartlesS flirt.
The last time she was here she left
in her train a cohort of heart-sick
SWANS that was positively appalling.
It's perfectly dreadful to have a jolly
little house party disrupted as that one
harrington squinted his eyes very
thoughtfully as he looked away to the
great blue bulk of the hills rising in
the distance against a perfect sky.
And so, Annette, I am to be the
sacrifice. as it were, am -" he chuck
led good naturedly. won't somebody
else do? I'm lazy. I'm having the
time of my life here Just being lazy"
deep conviction, because you are one
of the few men I know whom I be-
lteve can remain heart whole under all
circumstances. oh, don't look so con-
the matter is that you are much too
indolent and self-satisfied to fall in
love Therefore, I make this appeal"
"Oh, if you put it that way now"
said he In mock protest.
81 do" said she. you must, as I
say, monopolize her while she's here.
Make her think she has made a con-
quest. Take her sailing and motoring
and riding, understand? Make her
think your case is very, very desper-
ate"
"Oh, you women-you scheming,
far-sighted women!' he complained.
"Set your fluttering heart at rest, An
nette. For old sake's sake, I'll do my
best. When is she coming?''
This afternoon. Hubbard has gone
down in the trap to meet her.
rumble of wheels sounded in the
roadway. A trap, drawn by a smart
cob turned into the drive. Mrs. Vain
wright nodded meaningly towards it
and withdrew, and harrington, turning
his lazy eyes towards the drive, saw
in the approaching trap a vision of
wavv hair and pink cheeks and flowing
veil that was not at all unattractive.
"Well, well,' said the unimpression-
able harrington, tits not such an aw-
full thing to be appointed sacrifice, af-
ter all.''
An hour later, Mrs. Wainwright was
presenting him to the girl, and some
thing in the older woman's eyes warn
ed Darlington that his duties were to
begin at once. Therefore he stepped
nobly into the breach.
"Oh, say, Miss Gray" said he, ARE
you fond of motoring? You are? Good!
Wainwright has a little peach of car
in the garage. Suppose get it out and
show you how it can take the hills
round here"
"Oh. jolly" she declared.
They motored until dinner time, and
at the after dinner bridge Miss Gray
was Barrington's partner. And the fol-
lowing days he followed out Mrs.
injunctions to the let
lied. you are perfectly splendid"
she declared one evening as he sat
smoking on the veranda.
always glad to oblige, Annette"
you do it so well. I almost think
sometimes you're not at all averse to
the role I assigned you," she said mu-
''fm safe" he said in the same
Mrs. wainwright leaned anxiously
him. 'Ted, do be careful"
she warned him. Il didn't think for
s'You are quite on the wrong tack.
he said composedly. Your
suspicious are utterly without founda-
ton. Where on earth did you ever get
such childish ideas?"
Yet Mrs Wainwright, once in her
own room, sat looking out thought
fully. And at last, more perturbed
han she cared to admit, she tapped on
her husbands door.
"Tom," she confessed uneasily, as
her big husband, swathed in a gor-
believe I've made a mess of things.
WELL" he said cheerfully, you re |
lot without precedent in the matter,
Annette. How have you done it? I'm
burden yourself"
'tIt's red and Francesca Gray. II
"You mean you're afraid he's lost
lis head?" Tom Wainwright asked:
Nonsense. Nothing of the kind. Not
symptom of 1t. Go to sleep, An
lette. He'll take care of himself"
Mrs. Wainwright felt decidedly |
but when, two days later
he found Ted Darlington all alone by
he old sundial in the gardens behind
he house. his hands clenched and his
ace hard. a quick fear and an equally
wifi contrition gripped her heart.
He had not heard her noiseless ap-
roach. She hurried to his side. At the
ofInd of her steps he looked up and
,rinned rather sheepishly.
lied" she cried, 81 know it now
There is no use denying it,
''Why this commiseration spilled for
unworthy me?'' he said with an at
empt at nonchalance.
at saw your face just now"
.sYou'd better confess" said she.
IT'S my fault, anyway. Maybe can
You're quite right, Annette" he
aid ouietly-so quietly that it cut her
o the quick 1.-The impossible has come
O PASS. Ny case IS desperate"
HAS she refused then-and laugh
d at -" she asked anxiously.
''She has not" said he. land please
eaven she'll never get chance. I
hink I know how to make graceful
Kit from a mighty trying situation
We said no word of it to her, nor
hall 1. I couldn't quite stand having
er refuse me. I really couldn't. An
cite. She's going away this afternoon.
think I can hold my tongue in
cash."
Mrs. Wainwright arose without a
yord and left him. Ten minutes later
he Vas back again. He was stil sit