The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-23
THE EVENING STORY
The suitors OF Serena.
(By- Amelia S. Chairman

Mr.. Ferris felt for Mr.. Davis. unless
it was the hatred Mr.. Davis harbored
toward Mr.. Ferris.
Until the occupancy of the long I'M
tenanted house across the street by
Serena Fairlie and her mother. these
two men had been close and constant
friends. Each night Mr. Ferris went
to the house of Mr.. Davis or Mr.. Da-
Wis went to the house of Mr.. Ferris
to smoke and, conversationally, reg
ulate the affairs of the nation.
Not even the fact that each of these
boosted particularly well-kept lawn
in front of his residence was suffi-
cient to cause jealousy between them.
So the late beilicose condition was the
former friendship.
Mr. Ferris was a straight, stately
and ascetic-looking bachelor of forty
eight. His dark brown hair was
streaked with gray His nose was
A sparse mustache dropped over thin
and melancholy lips. '
He was known to have a compe-
tence, although he occupied himself
with the conduct of real estate Of
flee. He lived alone, save for the
still more deaf old servant.
The house was furnished with ref
erence to what was then considered
the artistic standard. Mr.. Ferris him
in poetry. and was given to quoting
extracts on occasion.
Mr.. Davis was a jolly widower of
fifty winters. that had been. however,
like those of Adam, frosty but kind
ly." He was short of stature, round,
rosy. amiable, fair-haired and blond.
His children were married and gone.
He bowed to the sway of a house
keeper who had seen better days, and
who was not averse to frequently pro-
-Y~Sv IT, IL g. Itcr taG tn0 hi n
less esthetic than those of his neigh
Dor, were decidedly more conducive
to personal comfort.
In fact, he and Ferris were in ev-
cry way sufficiently unlike to have got
on admirably together were 1T not that
with the advent of the Fairies both
began to cast covetous eyes upon one
bright particular star,
And their mutual dread, each that
the other might win the favor of Miss
Serena. was the real root of the ami
mostly which inspired Mr. Ferris and
animated Mr.. Davis
Not that up to the time that the
black curtain of silent wrath descend
ed between them either had made
confide ntiaI mention of his hopes. but
certain it was that the morning after
Miss Fairlie had attended the concert
with Mr.. Ferris Mr.. Davis resented
the presence of the dog of Mr.. Ferris
on his front lawn, and sent word to
that gentleman to keep his ours at
home.
Equally certain it is that, subse-
Quent to the occasion when Miss Fair
lie danced twice with Mr.. Davis, Mr..
Ferris sent due warning that If his
neighbours hens again intruded. upon
his property they would be promptly
decapitated.
Then the deaf aunt and the deafer
servant of Mr.. Ferris and the house
keeper of Mr.. Davis who had seen
better days took up the feud. and so
from the little acorn of rivalry sprang
a lofty and far branching tree.
Perhaps there was no one who stood
so absolutely within the shadow cast
by this tree as Frank Heatherly, who
was the nephew of Mr.. Davis and was
clerk in the. real estate office of Mr..
Ferris. Gf-s
He was a. we'll. set-up young fell
low of about thirty, who had a won
derful knaek of knowing what not to
say and when not to say it.. For both
men confided in him, and after 1t be-
came known that Miss Fairlie had
fallen heir to a snug legacy each an
nounced to Frank his decision to bring
his matrimonial campaign" to eli
max.
'"The money has nothing to do with
my resolution" Mr.. Ferris declared.
apart from this business, I possess
stocks and other property. What are
you smiling at?"
Ibid I smile, SIR"
'I don't care dash for her money"
Mr.. Davis informed his nephew. my
rents bring me in quite sum yearly
What are you grinning about?"
/ 'I shall ask her the night of the
spring Dance Mr.. Ferris decided. mo
girl in her senses would consider that
fat old widower when she might have
s'That skinny old bachelor hasn't the
ghost of a show!' Mr.. Davis assured
Frank. "I'll ask her the night of the
spring Dance"
The eventful night came-a resplen-
dent night! The elite of the town
streamed into the clubhouse. Lights
shone from every window. Merry
waltz music set young feet tapping.
The sound of joyous voices was every
where.
And Serena Fairlie. graceful gra-
cious good to look upon, her brown
gold hair shining in the light, her
| eyes cleaning like topazes, her shim-
mering gown of black just flecked
with glowing orange. was IN herselI
| an enhancing apparition.
Mr. Ferris secured the first dance.
Mr.. Davis putting up, belated. eager
| w appropriated the second The rest
were already blurred out by cabalistic
! initials. -,
| panted Mr. Davis. But Serena Fairlie
| only laughed. Mr.. Ferris whisked her
away, and there was sardonic CLEAN
| in his eyes as they rested on the
| lugubrious .countenance Of Mr.. Davis.
| The dance done, Mr.. Ferris prompt
| " led his partner to the conservatory.
Dear Miss Serena" began Mr.. Fer
ris fervent1y. ST have long admired
| that noble sentimen. s'Once to every
man and nation comes the moment to
| decide"
| "Isn't 1t warm ?" asked Miss Serena,
| moving toward the window.
| "And," continued Ferris. following
l 1--WE always admired that exquisite
sentiment, two souls with but a sim
| gle thought
| Serena gave him smile of exquisite
ieniency and looked out at the SPAN
1 gIed sky All, sweet was comprehen-
Sion and sympathy His lyric instinct