The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-13
THE EVENING STORY
A Pair of Surprises.
(By Jeanette Walden,

TAN, grave man with WnOm Sne was
Their caddies followed somewhat
| hopelessly in the rear, bristling with
the implements of golf
Hal, never saw you in such nor
rid hurry laughed the girl, land
never saw you look 500 cross" she
raised to his a fair face glowing from
exercise, and blue eyes dancing with
teasing imps.
"Oh, how thoughtless of me, my
dear" The man slackened his pace
abruptly and looked down at his COM
panion with an indulgent smi!e-a
smile which lighted up his face with
a flash of pleasure, though it faded
quickly, leaving the shadow of painful
contemplation.
'sOut with it, friend encouraged the
girl, glancing up at him through a
maze of blond ringlets. ''Are you in
love2" Her voice died out on the last
word, as if frightened at its own au-
dacity, and her color spread to her
temples. But she walked on gayly be-
side her meditative escort.
Vivian the girls name, as he ut
tered it, was charged at once with a
tender sympathy and a pOrtentous ser
iousness: Il have something on my
mind which concerns you as much
perhaps more than 1t does myself. In
fact, I've brought you out here today
to talk with you about it. 1 can think
better in the open.''
81 wondered why you had conde-
scended to come" laughed the girl
still apparently unimpressed by his
mood. do you know it has been ages
since you have ventured so far from
home with me?"
press of business" apologized the
man, weakly.
"And that interesting woman" sup
plemented the girl. whoever she is"
The man ignored her challenge. He
seemed too deeply troubled to respond
to trivialities ''Well, Vivian, shall we
go to the club veranda for our talk, or
seek some hummock on the links, with
a bush to shelter US from the over
familiar breeze ?"
fright here in this little depression,
with the white rock shelf to sit on,
and the girl was comfortably ensconc-
ed before the words were out of her
mouth. the bright scarlet of her jack
ct adding touch of brilliancy. to the
landscape.
me if it's hard for you to talk about
it?" There was sympathy, as well as
absolute confidence in the deep blue
eyes. 'You have always decided for
me, and taken care of my business 1
can't do half as well for myself as you
have always done for me-"
THANK you, dear" As he gravely
bowed he barred his head, exposing his
closely cropped. wavy brown hair,
lightly streaked with gray. But this
is a personal natter he continued as
he seated himself beside her. "a
guardian, however useful, does not in
this enlightened age make or break an
engagement.
s7But am engaged already-at least
I think I am. But that reminds me,
I haven't heard from Tom for long
time.''
She spoke with an air of unconcern,
while her companion observed her
what if should tell you that it
seems best to postpone your marriage,
Vivian?'
Iy jolly!" exclaimed the girl, with
sincerity that was wholly unaffected.
ST know, Vivian, you have never
been in a hurry to set the day; but
arrowly-"Ishould say that it might
be best for you to annul the engage
ment to Tom Rowland-for time at
least?"
The girl leaned over and rested both
hands on his knee, looked steadily UP
into his solicitous gray eyes. 1T would
make me happier than anything else
in the world"
wen. then I'm relieved" he said,
earnestly.
''Why do you say that? Why are you
glad?' 1t was the girls turn to be
Intense.
because. dear, he has proved him
self unworthy of you. Do you wish
do you care to know"
She shook her head Don't tell me
anything unpleasant, please. But is it |
only on my account that you are glad |
is that all?"
She sprang UP and turned her back |
moving slowly away, while he watched |
her with puzzled surprise.
''Vivie, child, come backi" he called. |
She turned and came swiftly to her
seat upon the rock.
''You won't hide anything from your |
best friend, little girl?''
ftHa1 do Won dOubt ne2 7 have not l
cared for Tom Rowland-not as I |
the first month I came |
to your mothers home. and that is
over a year now"
He took her hand in his own.
you have cared for some one else |
then p" His tone was casual but a /
sudden light came into his eyes.
She flashed him one look from flut- |
tering eyelids.
ssYou. vivian! you darIingl love an
old fellow like me! I can't believe it /
tell me, dear!" He took both her
hands in his.
She looked up then. unflinchingIy.
the color fled from her face, leaving !
it a pure ivory. 1T is So" she said
simply.
"But what about the woman ?" teas
what woman?" he asked blank1y.
''Why, the one who has been taking
you away so much of late, keeping
you downtown to dinners, inviting you
put every other evening to the club,
causing you auto trips to the country
and making you work whole Sundays
at the office ?"
ooh he laughed, "you, you are
he woman who has kept me away I
knew that I couldn't see so much of
you and be loyal to Tom Rowland. So
you see, little girl, you were not the
only one in love.
''But come" he added, as he raised
1er to her feet, '1et's carry the good
news to mother; she will be overjoyed