The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-21
The EVENING STORY
When the Sun Came Out.
(By Elliot Walker.l


view is a great, soft-toned picture" |
unused Edwina, gazing from an open |
space. half way up Partridge mountain. |
MY mood IS just right to appreciate
such wild, gray day. 1t takes me out
of myself"
She sighed, shaking her head reso-
lutely, then braced against sudden
sweep of bitter wind. feeling tingle
of defiance in confronting the howl
Her laugh. reckless. unmirthful,
echoed along its hoarse trail sun
shinel" she cried. Bah! like this
better. It puts In ones soul a sense
OF strength, ambition to overcome OBJ
stacles, to rise above foolish grieving.
That's what I want
She chung to a sapling bending with
in deep draughts of the invigorating
air, whose frosty breath stung her
cheeks to a glory of color.
Gomez rang her voice. Come on,
old Boreas! Swing me! Pelt mel Help
There was wiIdness in her suppli-
cation; a beseeching note. Edwina
Surrey, throwing herself to natures
rough embrace, had much to forget.
A shout-that of painting man
and alarmingly near, caused the girl
| to turn in sudden dismay
Coming! Here's help!"
Swish! Whirr. Like swift, envel-
op-sheet the snow was upon her,
binding her now wide-opened eyes,
choking back her startled exclama-
ton.
A dense, thickening, whirling man
/ tie, it swept from the lowering heav-
ems searching every leaf1ess brown
bush and gray rock-crevice with
white, relentless fingers.
crashing through the brush, an irri-
tated mutter. "Where in blazes is the
creature? Owl my SHIN and then:
louder, Hello! What's the trouble ?"
/ NIaA ri h0r
Tightening her lips.
| Its Ham," she swallowed. ooh!
he mustn't find me-"
But Hamilton Knight stumbled into
| the open. His eyes were keen. In
three seconds he had reached the
shrinking figure.
my good woman he began, don't
be afraid of me. heard you calling
| for assistance"
He bent nearer, brushing the snow
from his eyes, and a prolonged
'whewi" broke from his pursed lips.
| Edwina Strengthened up, facing him
| defiantly.
You are mistaken. Mr.. Knight"
in an acid voice, somewhat shaky. "I
am quite capable of caring for my
''Then why did you call. Edwina?"
ct didn't. was only singing
| Singing! Well-I-swear!"
"Will you please go?"
| "And leave you here? No, 1 VIII
/ not. 1CS the nSSIleSI llrSI-OI-tH0 SSd-
/ son storm I ever saw. and it has come
/ to stay awhile. What business have
you in this lonesome hole anyway"
| None of yours. 1 guess I can walk
where I please. You've no right"
| The man interrupted her coolly.
| BE sensible. Edwina. This is
| bad fix and we must get out of it. All
my strength and wits will be needed
to find way down to the road. see
you are warmly clad. That's good.
I'm dressed for tramping. so we can
| push along without picking a path.
| Regard me as you like-stranger, st.
| Bernard dog, pious monk. any old
| thing-but be sensible. That's all"
| "You may know best" the girl
| shivered a bit Personally, 1 don't
mind a snow furry"
| Knight shrugged. His features set
anxiously as he peered here and
| there.
at doesn't let up at ALL" said he.
| ''Do you know just how you got to
1 this spot?"
ooh! I merely kept going" care
| lessly.
| Hum! So did I. Wen break our
necks attempting to go straight down.
| There must be paths and woodroads
we can strike by keeping along the
the sun would only come out and clear
1 up things"
"Pshaw! We will have no trouble.
/ Go ahead!"
| resignation which hints at hope of
early deliverance from forced escort
The man stamped, evidently nettled.
"Cold feet?" asked Edwina~in sim
| ulated sympathy.
mo! Come along!"
For a few minutes it was not hard
! travelling. The girl pushed on behind
the tall figure. half smiling to her
sciously admiring the broad back and
| strong steps of this lately discarded
| lover.
1t had been a bitter quarrel, lasting
about four minutes, with a logged
silence worse than words on the part
| of the recreant Hamilton and an
| outpouring of recrimination from
Edwina, of which she still felt proud.
Mr.. Knight had kissed Lillian Carey.
Miss Carey had returned the salutation
with interest. Hattie Benson had seen
them and promptly reported. Lillian
went to Springfield that evening,
knight refused to explain. assuming an
air of injury.
He received his dismissal with a sulky
snort The rest Of the unhappy matter
went as such things go with proud
hearts. Lang walks in solitary aft1ic-
ton and complete indifference-exter-
nally.
Now, treading in knights big foot
steps, the girls soul ranked at the ne
cessity of his help. He should be
shown his place in her regard at every
opportunity.
It angered her to note her inability
to go faster Surely, he need not take
such strides. The going was becoming
more fatiguing.
! Edwin's toes ached. her fingers were
numb, she kept slipping, the snow sifted
down her neck and blew in her eyes.
Her knees commenced to wabble. Knight
plowed ahead, occasionally hating for
the tagging feet, then striding on.
Mr. Knight" Edwina was three
yards in the rear and breathing fast
He did not seem to hear.
''Ham!"