The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-27
THE EVENING STORY
At the End of the Summer.
(By Temple Bailey.)

he might see her clearly above the
! bushes. When he came up to her he
| said:
Such energy! It's only o'clock"
| Il hoped to be early enough so
! that I could go around the course
alone. The words were severe, but
her eyes twinkled.
You know you'd rather go with
me-" Richard built up tee of sand
neatly, and topped 1t with his round
white ball.
I've made my drive Marcia said,
and my ball is lost over there some
where In the bushes; so, If you please,
I'll follow my nose and find it"
And away she went; and Richard,
putting all his skill into his drive,
sent his ball half way to the first
hole. Then he picked up his bag and
marched in leisurely fashion after
| Marcia.
Found it?" he questioned
| mo"
That's woman's trick-to lose
ball."
She whirled around on him. Just
as it is a mans trick to lose his
| heart" she blazed.
He grew white. ct didn't think
you'd say a thing like that" he said.
and turned and left her.
She went running after him. "Oh,
| Dick, Dick!" she cried, II didn't mean
it." He tramped on unheeding, and
at last she came up TO nIm and laid
mean it, she pleaded.
He stopped and looked down at her
gravely. I'll admit it wasn't very
| nice of me to make that remark
about the ball. he said, but there's
a difference between making fun of
a girls game and making fun of a
mans love-"
Eyes, there is" she admitted. "And
I'm sorry, Dick"
OF course he forgave her, as he
| had forgiven her all summer; ever
since that first night when he had
been presented to her in the ballroom
of the big hotel and she had divided
his waltz with some one else. But she
had begged pardon so prettily that he
had felt almost os If he were the Of
fender.
But this is the end" he said stern
ly, Tets have it out right here. Mar
cia."
Have what OUT"
"A11 of it. We are going home to-
morrow, and, try as I will, I can't
get an opportunity to ask you to
marry me-
ooh"
you've held me off and parted
and run away but it's gor TO be set
tied here and now" And with that
on hillock and motioned her to an
other.
ooh, my goodness" said Marcia
family, but she did as she was told.
"Of course I know I'm not worthy
of you and all that. I haven't much
money, but I've got health and
strength and the will. I've got am
bition, and I'm going to win out in
the fight of life; and I'll make a place
for you If you'll let me. And I'd do
anything to save you from Dorning.''
Her head went up. 81 like Mr.. Dor
ing" she emphasized. Hes very po-
ite-and-and-'
I'm not" said Richard bitterly.
in R1Tf
keep me so stirred up. I'm not half
bad when I'm normal
Her laugh had a tremble in it. mo.
you're not half bad" she agreed.
He turned to her eagerly. Marcia,
you don't 1ove-Doring
She arose quickly. Hes worth a
Million
Richard stood up also. LAS if that
would make a bit of difference to
you" he said. You may have your
faults, Marcia, but don't believe you
are mercenary."
She was lingering her cheek nerv-
ously. "But-but I am mercenary,
Dickie, boy" she said very low.
He stared at her. Marcia" he said
sharply, "you wouldn't marry Dor
ing for his money!"
She looked up at him suddenly. "Oh,
I don't know don't know. I've al
pretty things; and want them. I
want to go into the ballroom all in
chiffon and pearls instead of in my
old white dresses and my little chain
with the gold heart. Think of it,
Dickie. I've never had any jewelry but
that-and I want them. Every girl
wants them. and Mr.. Doring could
give them to me-"
But Richard was not listening. He
took out his watch. Marcia he
said in a practical way, "have you had
your breakfast"
She looked up surprised. why this
change of subject?" she faltered.
Because you're tired and nervous. |
and I don't think you are capable of
saying what you think" ne said. II
am going to take you over to the inn. |
Well breakfast on the bluff and |
Cecile will make us an omelette and |
some perfect coffee, ana we shall have |
a basket of white rolls. Will you. go?"
why, of course" said Marcia un- |
certainly. But it was such funny |
thing for you to think of breakfast
right after you proposed to me-"
you've heard of bread and cheese |
and Kisses said Richard flippantly. |
well, this is a case of alteration and |
omelette. Come on, Marcia. mine"
I'm not yours"
you're going to be-" said Richard, |
and he picked up their bags and
started.
The inn was little French place |
where delectabIe meals were served to |
those who tired of the regular hotel |
fare, and where, it was whispered, |
certain gay souls sat somewhat late |
at night.
This morning Cecile. the trim land
lady, met them at the door with |
radiant welcome. They should have |
the omelette and coffee-such coffee! |
And away she went smiling. while
they settled themselves at a table on
the porch. Through the window they /
could see into the dining room, where |
there was one table noc yet cleared |
of the half empty bottles and other
evidences of a midnight feast Half |
sprawled across the table lay man
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