The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-02
THE EVENING STORY
DruslIla-And the unknown ouantitx

~ 3sAdIlii 04cCullOcn-W
Drusilia's eyes were dancing wick
!os as she stepped through the por-
tieres TO face Arpeth. She had kept
MN waiting ten minutes-for no other
reason than because she chose. At
although she knew very well there
was potent one, reason that had
local habitation, and answered to
the name of David Lee.
me name was the only unromantic
tnihg ABOUT the young man. He was
an artist, stranger, slim and tall,
very good looking, with an air of de-
tachedness that Drusilla had found ir-
resistible.
She was accustomed to have mascu-
ine ranks go down before her as
gram rails before the sickle. 1t was
oellc1ous novelty to have this man
look at her through narrowed lids and
interrupt her in the midst of a SEN
tence with:
DO be quiet a minute-until I
catch that pose of your head You
never, never can do it over if you
tnlnk about it and try-and 1 am
simply mad for it," Or maybe she
would be hidden less gently to stop
where she stood, not even winking,
work.
What made matters all the more
enthralling was that the results were
mere scratches-smudgy bits which,
to- her own eyes, conveyed nothing at
all.
You don't think bother with de-
ta1l-the idea is all care about-the
to reply to a timid expostulation
every picture worth while is of
SOUL" he went on grandiloquently,
even If it is no more than two onions
on brass tray. 1t doesn't matter
what you paint so there's soul-and
quaiity-in it. Quality means soul.
don't you know? If you want like
ness. understand I'm no camera"
Drusilla had subsidized, properly
awed, yet not wholly subdued. She
came that evening, as was his wont.
1t had been understood ever since
they were both in swaddling clothes
that they would marry when she came
to nineteen. All through small boy
hood, and even into the period of
roundabouts, Arpeth had rather twft-
ted her with the fact, and accepted
her obedience and caresses with the
exasperatingly masculine. But after
Drusilla put up her hair and let down
her frocks; after she b1ossomed from
a freckled tomboy into a ravishing
creature of roses and dimples, there
had been a change, mighty and NOV
ing. Arpeth had surprised himself,
and his world by falling madly in love
exactly where he ought Drusilla had
had her triumph then. and had used
it magnanimous1y. Still, underneath
the magnanimity, there was memory
which possibly had something to do
with the present state of things.
In a month she would be nineteen.
For a month Arpeth had been madly,
miserab1y jealous. At first he had
been patient and tender, only laugh
ing at the association of his betrothed
and the artist. But by and by some
thing in David's eyes, some subtle
80 v4g1 -
Drusilla, had warned Arpeth and set
him on his guard. There was a man
of full possessive instinct, under and
behind all the within and affectation.
The fellow was undoubtedly selfish,
conceited, a cad of the first water. but
none the less full of dangerous charm.
Drusilla had a conceit of knowing
men like books-but she would never
fathom this shallow fellow. She was
used to sinking her plummet in hearts
full of red blood His pale conscious
ness, so full of himself it had no room
for normal emotions, would balk and
battle her. She would take him at
face value-and be sorry for it all her
life.
Of course she would never marry
him. At the bare thought A-peth
grew white. But she might let her
self love him enough to sorrow after
him. 1t would be easy to get rid of
him-once let him understand Drusilla |
had no money unless she married to
suit her pastors and masters, and he
would take himself off. But she must !
not grfeve after him. Arpeth felt his |
blood burn at the thought He had |
come resolved to have it out with her |
to bind her with a set promise and |
make her name the wedding day. or
else to know definitely that the strang- |
er would take his place.
"It is high time you were married, |
Druse. Which shall it be?' he began |
without preface, catching both her
hands. and putting them against his
breast
Drusilla smiled sauci1y, but her COL |
or rose asshe flung back at him: Dear |
me, Paul, you're as bad as the cards. |
I told my fortune last highland they |
said I'd marry in two weeks-and it
might be a light man or dark. or
one who wasn't anything at ALL Il
Leave him out The light and the
dark are quite enough" Arpeth re-
torted, falling in with her humor.
I'm dark enough, heaven knows-but |
for all that I'm also fair. Can you
say as much for-my rival?'
Drusilla caught her breath. She
tried hard to say lightly "Who is your /
rival?" but Arpeth's look forbade.
The hands holding hers were like |
She tried to release herself, but Ar
peth held fast, repeating tensely:
''Will he play fair. too?"
"I don't know-that's the truth"
Drusilla at last burst out desperately.
"He-he has never said-much-noti
anything, in fact-but-but he looks
and turns away-and swears-ac-
tually swears-and once-he asked
what I would give up for-love and
ITALY,"
Arpeth let her hands fall, his eyes
burning out of a white face. ct did
not think he would dare" he be-
gan through his set teeth. then turned
half way. With his face still averted
he said:
"Drusilla, darling, am going
away; promise me you will do moth
ing, promise nothing until I come
back. I shall not be long,
"I think I can take care of myself"
Drusilla said with the least toss Of the
head AS Arpeth went out of the gate
she ran 70 1ooIs after him with ewes