The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-08
THE EVENING STORY
Aunt AIine's Tryst.
(By John RoxburvN

look! What have you been doing t
IourseiE And where are you going?''
Little Mrs. Jordan had run into hei
| city.
is it so unusual for me to look nice
DolIie?" 49,
Miss Sherwin turned from the glass
DeIore which she had been giving &
maj touch to the soft brown hair that
waved around her white forehead ano
smiled quizzically at her niece.
NO, returned the little matron with
cordial sincerity, you always look
lovely to Dan and Nell and me. But
you never would buy yourself pretty
clothes while we were with you. and as
you were always doing something fol-
US you seldom took time to look at
yoursef That new golden silk is won
derfully becoming. And that Mechlin
at your throat, with the quaint brooc1
Of coral and silver, is most artistic.
ana you have such a pretty pink color
III your cheeks. One would think you
were young girl going out to meet
your lover"
The color of which Dollie Jordan
spoke deepened to rose. Miss Sherwin
laughed an odd, embarrassed little
You mustn't come hattering NEE. "
she said. "And-I don't wish to hurry
you, but you'll miss your train to town
If you stay much longer
Mercy me! So 1 will!' And with a
esAe~AASC at lie CtOCk ana a nurrleu
KISS. she rustled away at rapid rate.
MISS Sherwin turned again to the
mirror when she was alone DolHe was
right She did not look her 20 years.
indeed, the face that smiled back at
ner was very sweet in it's bright seren-
1ty. The lips that parted over gIeam-
ing white teeth were full and ROSY. And
the large gray eyes, looking forth from
under dark brows and lashes, had a
beaming briI1iance.
Maurice won't seq much cba1oa =,
me" she said, as she put on her hat
she slipped on a wrap and took up her
gloves. But suddenly she stood still.
shaken by the cruel dread. Suppose he
mere from Australia Accidents innunl-
cradle were occurring every week.
What If he were the victim Of one?
What If he were i'll and could not make
the trip?
The one greatest dread of all she. did
not voice even in her inmost conscious
ness.
How foolish you are, Anne sher-
win" she said, with an impatient little
TOSS OF her head. His last letter said
ne would meet you at the old trysting
place on this day, the anniversary of
our engagement there Maurice would
never break his word
She walked at brisk rate the
many blocks which lay between her
nome and the park. The charming
suburban pleasure ground was gor-
seouS IN its autumnaI robes of amber
ana crimson and living gold. There
was continual drifting of glowing
caves through the blue hazv air
And everywhere children were max.
ng merry, running and laughing and
playing games.
But when Aline Sherwin reached
he great stone fountain, where the |
heart sank with sudden Sham lie
There was no one |
mere but a gray-haired, spectacled |
nan, VINO glanced up at her approach |
'nIy to bend instantly again over the |
PAPER he was reading She took out
Ter watch and consulted it,
My watch is fasti am ten min
ties too soon How foolish of me to
o fearH she said,
She walked up and down the grav-
lea path near the fountain. To sit
till was impossible. She watched the
lnIerent avenues up which he might
ONE. 1t was ten years since thew |
lad parted. Five minutes gone! At
ne YOU'D De there, Seven minutesl
d, ana ne need never have gone away.
L It had not been for Mary's unex-
'ected death she might have gone
WITH him. But Aline had declared
lerself pound to take care of her sis
er'a children.
Six months ago freedom had coma
o her: Dan was a man and prosper
nS. Dollie had married and NeII
lad gone to live with her. So Aline
'nerWln wrote to her lover that she
vas waiting for him.
me clock in the tower Changed ont
he hour of 8. She started ana her
eticule fell to the ground. Three
md. ne was not herel Each clang az
ne beIl had struck her heart like a
You have dropped your baer,,
he man on the bench picked If nm
nd offered it to her, lifting his hat
m AFRAID you are disappointed" he
ONE one?"
She hardly glanced at him. but she
as IN the mood for confidence-and
is s.1 voice vas sympathetic.
es, she said. and sat down. "a
riend who has been long abroad was
have met me here, this day. this
our! And he has not come"
I've been great traveller myself -
he man said: Where did your friend '
We abroad ?"
I'm Australia" Her eyes were still '
eeking an advancing figure along the S
aths that led to this fountain
i've been there. But, of course
8 mighty extensive country. And
lie cities are populous"
Il suppose So" she assented alb
ractedly. Her heart was like lead
thin her. at would be absurd to
oppose you had known Maurice Far
IT there"
Let me see," he repeated. musinq- t
'Yes-I did know a man of that i
anne. What did your friend look
ke?" a
HE was straight and handsome" Q
lie returned. dreamily. He had
own, beautiful eyes, a classic, clean b
aven face, and curling black hair" O
ooh, that isn't the man know at
l!' he said, positively. 1.-The Farrar g
know is rather stout an bearded and q
lite gray"
Miss Gheru-f,7 rod5a5 ir5seeo,s-..,.
lie glanced again appealingly at the :,
Ock in the tower. Fifteen minutes !.
st threei He was not coming.
There is no use waiting" she said, | =,