The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-30
THE EVENING STORY
After Fifteen Years.
(By Clarissa Mankie. )

Melvin Taylor and AdeIia Scott had
lived next door to each other all their
lives, yet they had not spoken for If
teen years.
Adel1a, forty now, with a powdering
OF white IN her brown hair, was sitting
IN the old grape vine swing, swaying
Idly to and fro. Her soft eyes were
nxed on the toe of her small shoe as it
lightly touched the green turf
overhead the April sky was cloud
less; around her was growing grass and
young springing flowers.
In her heart was great yearning
Tor happ1neSS-a renewal of the Joys
that had belonged to her girIhood; the
creams. the ideals that were hers be-
fore the awakening.
From the other side of the dividing
lilac hedge came the fragrance of to-
bacco and the sound of mems voices,
growing nearer.
Women are naturally stubborn"
Melvin Taylor was saying in a dis
agreeable tone. IF May has uuarreled
with you. Walter, you might as well
give her up now and be done with it
no matter how deeply you repent What
apologies you may offer, however you
may humble yourself, take my assur-
rance, she will not forgive you"
Rubbish!' retorted Walter Stone,
laughing. MAY and have had a dis
agreement, but I know we shall make
1t up-who knows when-perhaps to-
day! AS for the rest of womenkind,
they are all like May. I do believe
sweet and forgiving-only some clumsy
brute of a man like you or me-
i've had my experience interrupted
Taylor brusquely. 'I was engaged to
marry what I believed to be the
sweetest girl IN the world. We quar-
fifteen years ago. I wrote a note beg
g1ng her to forgive me-
Their voices died away as they
passed beyond hearing, and AdeIia
Cd F,-1 t.,
vine. Now her face was white.
So Melvin Taylor had made over
lures of peace and she had never
known it. She. too, had written a
note to him and hidden it in their true
dover's postoffice-a cup-like hollow
in the old apple tree that grew in the
lilac hedge.
Day after day. fifteen years ago, she
had gone to the apple tree and sought
the holIow-but there was never a
letter; and her wedding day had come
and gone and she had never been a
bride. Invite ions had been recalled,
presents returned and bridal garments
hidden from sight, while Adelia pick
ed up the dull threads of everyday
life and learned to meet Melvin Taylor
now and then and greet him with
cold little inclination of the head.
With sudden impulse she left the
grapevine swing and sought the old
apple tree. The lilac branches had
grown unpruned until their smooth
green stems quite hid the cup-like hol-
low.
Adena stood on tiptoe and thrust
her little hand into the old letter box.
The hollow was empty save for a few
dead and crumpled leaves and a gath
ering of moss. Just as she withdrew
her hand her fingers were caught in
a warm, strong grasp.
With faint cry of alarm, Adelia
tried to jerk her hand away, but in
WHO is it ?" demanded Melvin Tay-
1or's voice from the other side of the
hedge.
"Release me at once" commanded
Adelia angrily.
sOh!" There was enlightenment in
his tone; but the grasp only frightened
"If you have the faintest instincts
of a gentleman" began Adelia after
a while.
Adelia leaned against the rugged
trunk of the old tree, her white, out
stretched arm cleaning against the
brown bark. Her eye We're shining like
little gasps.
sfWhat-what do you want?" she
found courage to ask after another
painful silence.
There was a moments hesitation
and then: st placed a note in here
fifteen years ago." he began lamely.
"Well?"
gruff1y, his hold on her hand tightening
cruelty.
said with little cry.
you hurt my heart fifteen years
After a long silence Adelia's voice |
came family over the hedge. II, too, |
placed a note there-fifteen years ago |
and"
"I never received a reply to my
note"
'aThe-dickens!" Mr. Taylor whis-
tied softly. II never got it, Adeiia!
note from me the day after-after we
quarreled?"
II never received any word from |
you" Adelia's voice was tremulous
now. as she added; IF you will re-
He relaxed his hold, reluctantly. and |
Adelia slipped down in a crumpled |
heap in the soft turf at the foot of the |
go. Adelia," he said gently. cit Is |
too late for me to offer you any apol-
ogy for my long silence; I wrote you a
letter. asking your forgiveness and I |
placed it here In the hollow-I believed
you were hard and unforgiving when 1
did not receive any answer, and / grew
more angry with you, instead of seek
ing an explanation Your little note, as
well as mine, was probably taken by |
some marauding catbird to build his
nest in the hedge. I think I shall 20 |
away now-I have been such a fool 1 |
want to seek the uttermost ends Of
the earth to try and forget my fol1y!'
His voice regained its bitterness.
There was a long silence after that
II am here, Melvin" said Adelia,
family
May 1 come over?'' he asked in a
strange voice.
Yes" she said softly, but not so
softly that his eager ears did not catch