The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-10
THE EVENING STORY
Miss elem.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)

nephew.
Oliver was staring out of the win
| dow with set, white face. Suddenly
ne turned toward the older man.
Did you really mean, uncle, that
you are going to marry Clementina
| Miles y he asked in low tone
| The major bristled Indignantly. A
slow red suffused his good-lookingl
| face to the very roots of his white
hair.
/ I am, sir! I may be sixty, but I
am still capable of loving true, good
woman-such as I know Glenn Miles
to be- 1 love her--and she says she
loves me! Isn't that enough, STRIP He
fixed piercing black eyes upon the
young man.
Oliver WINGED. Yes, indeed, Uncle
Dick; l hope you will forgive mel
was surprised. hope you win be very
happy, and here's my hand on i'll"
The major grasped it warmly.
Thats the way to talk, my boy. If
you'd been home looking after your
| around the world you might have
seen which way the wind was blow
| ing. eh?''
| The young man smiled ruefully.
That's SO, sir. When is-when is it
to be?" he asked hesitating1y
In the fall-bless her sweet heart"
beamed the major as he got up from
his chair. ''And now, Oliver, suppose
you ride over to the Magnolias and
| take a bunch of roses to Glenn with
family, of course?''
Oliver nodded. "You know I al
| most lived there ever since was
| born" he said quietly.
| That's So-that'S so-weu saddle
| FREELY and renew old acauaintances
and tell the ladies the latest fashion
news from Paris-I'n cut some roses
for Glenn" The older man hustled
| away while the younger with miser-
able eyes and reluctant feet made his
way to the stables.
Fifteen minutes later Oliver was
| riding away from the pillared portico
where the major waved a brisk fare
we'll.
| on the pommel of the saddle and their
| delicious fragrance assailed divers
nostrils with haunting memories of
the last days before he had sailed for
| Europe.
He had walked with Glen Miles
| his old playfellow-in the rose gar
den the very night before his depart
ure and Glenn had promised to wait
| for his return-and now she was en-
| gagged to an old man-his unclei
| divers thoughts were chaotic as
he entered the familiar gates. His
blue eyes We're dazed with pain and
his kindly heart was filled with bit
| terness- He was torn with pity and
| contempt.
| A white gown fluttered down a
| shady walk bordered with tall box.
| In an instant Oliver had tied his
1 horse to a tree and was after her
with a stern, relentless face.
| She turned at his quick step on the
path and a rare smile curved her
beautiful lips.
| ct am glad to see you.'' she said,
| simply. I'VE have been expecting
you-the major said you must come
| today!''
| Oliver did not smile. He took her
| outstretched hand in his own for one
brief instant and then dropped it. His
| eyes took in the contrast of creamy
skin and blue-black hair-the velvet
| dark eyes and roSe-leaf mouth.
my uncle sent these roses with his
| compliments" he said with sudden
| awkwardness. "He has told me of his
engagement to you-and I have come
| to tender my best wishes"
Glenn entina buried he face in the
roses. THANK you. Oliver she said
at last. lifting her blushing face to
his.
oliver frowned. my uncle is very
| home has always lacked a mistress
and l am sure that no other could fill
| that position more charmingly than
| you"
/ Clementina sat down on a rustic
bench and absently pulled the yellow
| roses to pieces Her eyes watched the
| falling petals as they fluttered to the
! turf.
Are you pleased because you are
| to have an aunt, Oliver?" she asked
| suddenly.
IAN aunt" oliver stared at her. "Of
| course-I had forgotten the relation
| ship-what a mockery!' he said thick
ly. He dropped down on the bench
beside her. ''How could you.Clem-
after what YOU said that night?"
| Clementina did not reply. The roses
| dropped to the ground with rustic
| as she fled down the box-bordered
| path and disappeared.
Oliver sat in miserable silence while
the shadows heightened. At last a
| light step sounded on the path and
| there came in view a woman gowned
| in white fifth snowy hair and sweet,
Youthful face-much like Clemen-
/ tina's
The young man rose to his feet as
| she approached.
! At last she paused and stretched
! out a slender jeweled hand. You
must be Oliver Stewart" she said
| graciously.
| Oliver bent low over her hand. "And
you-I must know you" he SIAM
| mered help1essly.
She laughed and shook her, head.
sYou never set eyes on me before,
| Master oliver! I am CIementina Miles
Mr.. Miles only sister-frorn Louis
| lanai wonder If you know-now.
| A light came into divers troubled
1 eyes. "And you-you are to make
my uncle the lhappiest man in the
| world" he replied with smile.
! Miss Glenn blushed and nodded ac-
| oufescence "Come and talk to me
| awhile" she said. leading the way
| into the rose garden.
| ST thought it was Glenn explained
| Oliver at the end of a half hour "She
| did not deny It.
| perhaps little Glenn thought that
| a man who had no faith in his sweet
| hearts loyalty needed little pun
| ishment, said Miss Miles grave1y.
| oliver Redeemed "Ch. of course I
| know I acted like a duffer! / hope
| Glen will forget it,"
4 At that moment Clementina herself
| came toward them Her eyes were