The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-25
The EVENING STORY
Lovers Leap.
(By Nellie Cravey Gilmore

across the reading table at Col Wey-
man He gave no outward indication
of having foolishly lost his passage,
| and the ominouS Gathering of scis-
| sors on the bare mahogany opposite
caused him to glance up with an os-
| tentatious display Of surprise.
Miss Druscilla proceeded to divest
herself of needle. thimble and yarn
with cool elaboration. TT appears
to me, John, that the time for clinch-
| ing matters between these young peo-
pie is just about ripe
nouncement with a beaming face.
| Exactly, Drusilla. I was thinking
about putting bug in the young
| scamp's ear no later than this very
morning: You do the same in regard
to Penelope. Well just drop them a
| hint or two concerning our wishes in
| the matter; give them to understand
that their union is a thing that was
the various advantages that will ac-
rue
Miss Druscilla broke in with a dis
dainfu1 sniff and a quick toss of her
silvery curls. Good gracious. John
Weyman, do you want to ruin every
ing? Listen to me; there's but one
course to pursue If we expect to sue
coed in our pet scheme"
"Well?" The colonel glanced up be-
wideringly, and with sort of meek
Difference, into the animated face of
his companion.
Miss Drusilla lifted her dainty
poreclain-like fingers and marked off
her sentences upon them in clear.
fluty voice. "Just this, you stupid
man; they must be warned against
each other. Every obstacle we can
think of must be placed in their way;
sentiment must be tabooed. Cool down
all their advances with cold water,
and plenty of it. There's nothing like
it at this stage, mark my word. And
failure after all these years would
be a horrible disappointment to us
both, john
The colonel listened to his old
friends admonitions with unconceal-
ed admiration. What a diplomat was
Miss Drusilla! What excellent life
partner she would have made for
man! He heaved an involuntary sigh
of regret for his squandered youth
and reached across the table to press
the porcelain fingers. There was a
tacit smile and a hand pressure and
the colonel took his departure.
Half an hour later a fresh, spark |
ling face was framed in the doorway
and a musical voice addressed Miss
Drusilla in tremulous accents. May |
I come in, aunty dear?" The question
was finished upon hassock at Miss
Drusilla's little, slippered feet.
"Where in the world have you been, |
Penelope?" she questioned very stern |
ly with a deprecatory glance into the |
young girls vivid cheeks and the tum-
bled, straw-gold hair above them.
where haven't I been, rather! oh.
aunty. it was just the dearest, jolliest
time in the world. We-Jack and +
rode, yes actually rode. up that steep
crag to Lovers Leap"
Lovers Leap?" asked Miss Dru-
silla with very grave brows And
you not yet eighteen, Penelope"
Penelope's blue eyes flashed swift
challenge to Miss Drusilla.
End you went alone with young
Mr.. Weyman to the very top of a
mountain. my child ?" She paused in
her stitching and looked seriously into
the young face at her knee. cit was
most indiscreet; don't think of repeat
ing It. And, by the way. Penelope,
don't you think you are rather too
familiar with this young man-calling
him by his given name on fort
nights acquaintance and scampering
through the woods with him on all
occasions? What do you know
Of
know! Why, why know that he's
Just splendid-that he-that THAT
we-oh, aunty, you can never guess
what dear ne is r1n att an nerce
tibly. every well, my little one, he
may be all that you say-and think.
Naturally. I am In no position TO
NV niece a little more circumspect
and dignif1ed. 1t is not always well
to allow oneself too much intimacy
with any-stranger Rem mber, girls !
of your station are expected to sub |
NIT with all grace and dutifulness to
the arrangements which have been
made for them by their guardians ,
matrimonial, particularly Let there
be no foolishness, Penelope.
But, father. am I not twenty-one I
years of age?"
TWENTY-FIVE, to be more exact.
young fellow. But remember. also, /
that I am forty-four and you art )
baby: she ought to be in school her ]
self in short frocks. Recollect that
you have a reputation to make in
your profession; that you cannot
afford to throw away your OPP
in any such absurd fash
lon; SO don't fritter away your time
over sentimental nonsense.
Young Weyman was silent mo-
ment. trying to down the vehement
words that Struggled to his lips. His
face was flushed and his eyes belied O
he calmness of the tone in which he
replied: i
opinion, father, in everything; but in
his case fear that cannot abide by 4
t. There is one thing which is every
mans privilege-the choice OF ms :,
myself to Penelope this very even
sAnd If she refuses? If she is al .
ready betrothed to some one else 2" O
tsIm possible! That is
The colonel smiled broadly. But
MS head was turned away. When he
looked back again his face was de-
to be too sure of anything, my boy, e
.SnacsaIIv awning of the feminine .