The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-13
The EVENING STORY
where the Heart Is.
tBy Grant owen.)

the Indian summer afternoon. Its sole
| occupant, a very broad shouldered
young man, leaned back on the cush-
ions and smoked a contemplative
cigarette, abstractedly watching
through half closed eyes the stream of
traffic whirling past.
He was good natured, indoient
looking young man-one of the kind
who very evidently enjoyed being at
his ease. Yet in the dark eyes was a
certain lightof determination, certain
hint of latent power, that made one
quite inclined to forgive his apparent
laziness.
Suddenly the young man sat erect.
He leaned far forward, peering intent
ly at figure on the crowded sidewalk.
He watched it steadfastly for mo-
ment, while his Incidence fell from
him like a useless cloak and his eyes
opened wider and wider.
1mpatiently he hicked the cigarette
to the pavementS and stood up to open
the trap above his head.
"Hi!" he called to the cabby, 81 say,
there, pull up to the curb and set me
down. will you? And be quick about
it,
The hanson swerved sharply and
drew Up at the curb. The young man
scrambled out, quite forgetful of his
usual slow dignity in his haste. He
without waiting for his change, he
went briskly up to the avenue in pur-
suit of the figure he had just seen.
He elbowed his way along, now side
stepping some groups which blocked his
headlong progress, now all but break
ing into a run in his eagerness.
Ahead of him he caught feeting
feather that seemed to serve as a
necessary incentive to his hurrying
steps.
When he had almost reached it, the
blue feather turned a corner into a
quiet side street, and the young man,
in hot pursuit, followed after.
Here the sidewalks being less crowd
ed gave him better opportunity for
speed. In a moment he had overtaken
the blue feather and touched its wear
er lightly on the arm.
She turned and her eyes rested on
him with a sudden eager light in them.
"Ted!" cried the girl happily. lied,
of all the people in the worldi"
you have led me frightful chase,
Patty" he painted with mock severity
'I?" she laughed. ''How?''
ST was in a hanson on the avenue
and I saw you passing" he explained.
81 pulled up and gave chase afoot."
What are you doing here?" she
demanded. although her eyes told
answer to her question. ''And why
are you here, anyway? Surely you
are not up here with horses this time
of year. I didn't suppose there was
any power on earth that could drag
a Northcroft from Virginia at this sea-
son.
IA little clipping from a morning
paper early in the week is responsible
for my appearance" said he. ut
stated that you and your mother had
just returned from abroad"
"Oh, really" she Knocked. 'I sup
pose I should feel vastly fattered to
be able to bring you up here. Think
of it! The wild turkey shooting must
be something wonderful now, to say
nothing of the Redfelds hunt. They're
riding just now, of course
yes, they're riding" said he; But
somehow it's pretty tame sport when |
you're not along, Patty"
She looked at him suddenly, and a |
faint red crept into her cheeks. ooh, |
pshaw!" she laughed. you Vir-
ginians certainly know how to pay |
compliments, don't your"
She said it lightly enough, but her
voice was not altogether steady The |
young mans sudden and unlooked-for |
seemed to have discon- |
I'VE virginians." he repeated |
thoughtfully. "Then you don't count |
yourself one of US any longer, Patty ?' |
''WeH. L fear I'm bit weaned from |
see since father died and we came
back here to live with my mothers |
people, I've been made to feel that I
or a part of me at least belongs up |
here. Father was the Virginian, you |
know"
The young man stiffened. you've |
Patty" he said fatty and |
with something like disappointment in |
his voice. you used to say that you |
were Virginian to the backbone-that |
there was no place on earth like it,
THAT was before 1 had seen the other
Il see said he with certain odd con-
straint ''of course"
Bit bv bit he drew out of her an account |
,ast three years. He listened thoughtfully,
but with clouding brows.
you'd find it ali very dull back there.
The old life wouldn't appeal to you now.
hootng De as no you un used TO- or to ride to
he hounds down the valley and over to
You wouldn't care about Tim Fair
iering where in the county we could find
ind make a decent landing
To his surprise look almost of pain
Don't she said. Don't! I can't bear
Northcroft caught his breath sharply.
Eth? What's this?'' he cried. rather dazed
y t4e ms 1eod 81 e r turn 96 shng
hat her eyes We're moist She turned
brushed something from her cheek
lpDreeiatIye and al that. sort Of TN thing"
ng didn't care for are the very things /
Fed. that's the trouble-iust plain, hon
St old-fashioned homesick. I'm tired Of
IL this. 1 was never fitted FOR it.
This life here-the life they say is
minentlv proper and fit for mel sim {
lv can't stand. If YOU only knew how
onged to be back there-not for day, as
We go now and then occasionally-but for
yer. you'd never chide again. You'd /
itY me instead. I try not to show it for 6
nother's sake. but sometimes can't help
I. 1 suppose it is my. fathers blood in .
ny veins. To him Virginia and Paradise
we're SYNONYMS
Northcrcft straightened himself. When
e was Thoroughly aroused he was a de- l..