The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-02
THE EVENING STORY
The Predicament of AngIin senior
(By Henrietta C. Robinson.)

| hdiA way uOWn the steps or the ira
ternlty house Anglin turned and wen
thoughtfully back to the room that he
shared with Beresford.
You're dead sure you'll not change
your mind and Gomez" queried Anglin
BereSford, with a volume open OF
his knee and pipe gripped between
his teeth, nodded emphatical1y.
Then 1 suppose you don't mind il
take your skates? They're sharper
than mine"
Take them, of course"
But when Fred Anglin had slung
the skates over his shoulder and but
toned his thick gloves he still fingered
1t seemed as though this were not
what he had come back to say after
all.
81 ought to tell you. Tom-we've
been such pals right along-that I'm
going to put my fate to the test to-
night. The Tremaine girls will be at
the skating party And tonight I in
tend to speak to Gerla-''
Beresford jumped up and wrung his
trends hand enthusiastically.
GOOD for you'll he cried. go in
and win! As long as it isn't Geraldine
can endure the thought of your hap
plness II she says yes. I'll be able
to listen to your raptures without ex-
periencing a perfectly legitimate de-
sire to sling you through the window"
Thanks, old man." laughed Anglin,
adding: Lucky we'vr not set our re-
spective hearts on the same sister.
infatuation for Geraldine! But, as
long as you are her captive, why do
you hold back? You are older than I,
Beresford shook his head with a
grim smile.
at isn't that. You've a wealthy faith
er and settled income. I've only
enough to pull me through this final
I shan't have much more-in a ma
terial line. I don't dare ask Geraldine
to wait until I have attained-achieved
arrived. 1t wouldn't be fair to her. -
'It would-her promise-be a ire
mendous incentive to you!''
"Oh. know that! But she must be
considered first!"
There was another handclasp. a firm
and silent one. Anglin swung away for
the tramp into the country where the
skaters were to assemble at Pilgrims
pond.
The star-studded night closed down
early. When Anglin reached the ap-
pointed place the amusement of the
evening was already in full swing. The
expanse of ice was clean swept and of
an opaque, turquoise tint. Strings of
Chinese lanterns dangled in the null
ti-hued propinquity from bare tree to
tree and from pole to pole. In a de-
clivity, semi-shaded by a fIy-tent,
royal fire blazed and cracked. In and
out, round and about, in dullness I'M
der the Sullen stars, or in red relief
ternals, fiared Enthusiastically. sped and
flashed the dark figures of the skaters.
Fred Anglin got on his skates as
quickly as possible and started out
across the frozen pond. Many turned
to look at the athletic young figure
circling through their midst with such
easy, swallow-like grace and motion.
But he noticed neither their pres
ence nor their admiration. He was
looking for one particular little figure.
She would wear a short skating COS
tune of blue velvet, the Russian
blouse of which was grit with heavy
cords that swung backward when she
raced. The high, peaked cap would
make a, penthouse over a mass of fair
curlS and mischfevous eyes, bluer than
any violets that ever Knocked the blue
ness Of a June time sky. And
There she isl" he said, suddenly. to
himself.
Alone in the shadow of the wigwam-
shaped refreshment tent. apparently
'ancying herself unobserved. a slender
young form was whirling on heel and
.racery on the ice
Come with me-" he cried. as he
dashed to her side. He held out his
hands, crossed at the wrists in the old
approved "carry-the-lady- out-of-town"
style.
1own the strip of cleaning ice which
But when they were quite away
rom the merry crowd of skaters,
whose voices came to them musically
through the frosty night air. Anglin
orced their impetuous progress on
ook a firmer hold of her mittened
lands, he began, after the manner of
many another lover, who has been |
to force his courage to the |
sticking point:
"Dear!'' he said, desperately. at
ant keep silent any longer. You know |
low I've cared for you ever since
veil, ever since I entered college. AL |
hough I've never been obliged to CON
ider ways and means, still, a legacy |
las made it possible for me to ask you !
o give your promise. I know he |
dded hastily, you won't care about |
his sort of thing, but ought to men |
ion it. There's only one question now |
do you think you will ever love me |
"a Iittle?"
His words, voice. even the tensity
With which he retarded her flight, |
olding her hands tight pressed to his
ide. did not escape the girls alert con-
ciousness. But she answered in I'M
teady accents. There was trepidation
n her tone and dread, the dread |
weet girl experiences who hates to
i've pain.
Pm sorry-sorry-so than I've |
yer been about anything in all my
was 1 for whom you-cared. Had I
one so I never would have permitted
GU to say-this.'
As one stunned he relaxed slightly
is grip on her fingers, while he ac-
elerated their speed.
Don't worryi'' he answered bravely.
must have been awfully stupid to
ave fancied-you are sure you're quite
arm enough We are almost at the
ent now. I'd better bring you some
OF coffee, Gerla.''
They were at the tent Yellow
freaks of light from its canvas aper-
1res were glinting out at them The
irl came to a standstill, her hand still
n her companions arm.
what was that you said?' she ask
d sharply.
"Gerla. suppose I should have said