The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-11
THE EVENING STORY
Through Green Eyes.
(By Nellie Cravey Gillmor,

Wy 4NS1A1S STdVey S11llmOre.)
When the music ceased. Brainard
ballroom and began to pace up and
down the dimly lighted piazza His
brain was on fire with jealousy. and
his heart almost bursting with agony
anu anu wounded pride. Innumerable
I times she had passed him, unconscious
or his very existence. on the arm of
the handsome young lieutenant of
Company B. Unable to endure the
sight of their devotion, he had sought
relief in the open air and for an in
slant he began to breathe easier. But
at an abrupt turn he came upon them
sitting confidentially close in one of
the wide, low window seats. The girls
dark eyes were lifted smiling1y to the
he talked. his lips almost grazed the
fluff of straw-gold at her temple.
Brainard smothered a fierce invec-
tive and wheeled sharply. Just at
this 3uncture the orchestra began to
play a lively two-step and he con-
suited his program anxiousIy. At
last: number IA. Miss Everston. He
pulled himself together determinedly
and turned to re-enter the ball. room.
Now that he would have her face to
face, he meant to demand an explain
alton.
She had treated him outrageously;
she was his promised wife. and he
would not stand for it. The third,
seventh and tenth had always been
his by tacit arrangement; but tonight
she had eluded him. Now he would
know the reasonl But with his foot
on the threshold of the door. he
paused-dazed.
Less than ten feet from where he
Pstood, Lieutenant Langford had just
encfrcled Patricia Everston's slender
waist with his arm. and second lat
er they fioated off.
This was the final straw. Hot
with rage. Brainard turned on his
heel and strobe down the corridor to-
ward the dressing room. He got into
his toD-coat somehow. and drew on
his gloves with shaking fingers. Then
he damned his hat viciously on his
head, and hurried out into the star
lit night. He had been insulted once
too often. and he would show her for
good and all that he was no fool to
be trampled under her feet. AS he
reached the street he glanced back
just once toward the glittering mer-
ry-mad ballroom. At that instant he
from his six feet one to whisper some
thing in Patricia's ear that caused the
warm color to surge over her face.
Brainard shut his lips hard over the
savage utterance, that sprang to them,
and quickened his footsteps down the
| white, deserted avenue.
X X X
The day after. Miss Everston sat a
long time before her bird-eye writ
ing desk, and wrote steadily for an
hour. But at the end of that time
less than dozen lines had been res
cued, whole from the wreckage The
rest went into the trash basket
"My dear Mr.. Brainard." she had
written formally, cit is impossible for
me to attempt to convey to you the
sentiment I experience when I recall
the indignity to which you subjected
me last night. All I can say-whfch
trust you will consider ultimate
is that can never, under any circum-
stance, overlook an act which would
prompt a gentleman thus to slight a
lady under his escort. I herewith re-
turn your ring and accessories. Please
do the same in regard to mine.
PATRICIA EVERSTON.'
She sealed the missive. over which
the scalding tears poured pitilessly.
She had loved him so. How was she
to endure this blow to her pride?
Under the searching, callous light
but by evening things had assumed a
somewhat softened aspect and her
love rose 1nasterful1y in his defense.
Why had she been so hasty. so un.
compromising? Perhaps he was i'll?
Perhaps-oh. what had she done!
The future. with its endless nights and
sleepless days, rose black before her
She sought her pillow distractedly and
| sobbed the night through.
In the mornings mail came little
paclet of letters-and not a single
word of explanation-or entreaty. BY
the same post she received gush-
! ing ten-page epistle from Maize Hol-
lister. begging her to come to Wash
ington.
ing had returned two-fo1d. ani here
was the very chance she. wanted to
, show him how really little SIZE did
care Accordingly. she accepted her
friends invitation by wire, ard or
The day after her arrival in Wash
neton Maize Ho1lister entered her
room rather hurriedly. with an open
'etter in her hand-and Patricia no
ticed that the hand was all in
tremble.
"Percy has had orders to sail for
the Philippines Immediately" she ex-
planned. s'He wants me to marry him
tonight and go with him.
"Yes. rye been halfway expecting
it. But-but what about you,
Pat?"
sMe. why nothing, of course. I
shall just swooo down on Bela
after me for months to come on. and
I know she'll be delighted to have
me-
Lieutenant Percy Langford arrived
at g. They were married at and
left .on the 7:10 train. Inc 1oiioWlng
morning Patricia had her trunks
transferred to the Rogers town
house. AS luck would have it. Billy
Rogers had invited friend down, and
the party was complete
week later the quartet was pay
ing visit to the Congressional IL
brarv. "Something solid" Bella had
suggested, "after the weeks reve1."
In some way, Patricia became sep
wing from room to room in a panicky
fashion. when who should she bump
straight into but Dick Brainard
"Oh!" she cried. "you-you fright
ened me-"
Indeed ?"
Patricia was on the point of let
Inc him see how glad she was to see