The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-05
The EVENING STORY
Wilful Cinderella.
(By lola Forrester.)

when must 1 go back home?" de-
manded Bess suddenly as she turned
from the window and faced the fam
lily.
The question plainly Disconnected
the family. Mrs. Dudley Graham tap
ped uneasily on the desk with her
eyeglasses and regarded her unruly
niece in puzzlement. Winifred frown-
ed and sighed, but was silent. Only
Billie remained unmoved, and it was
at Billie that Bess Looked. o. Lounging
comforta bly, over in the window seat,
he bent forward, stroking the tawny,
glossy head CT Bruce, his collie. The
tanning of Bess he had left entirely to
his stepmother and sister ever since
her arrival from Idaho. And it had
not proved a successful tanning.
Understand me, Elizabeth began
Mrs. Dudley Graham with infinite
tact and patience, there is no real
necessity for your returning to Idaho
at all"
Didn't you just say it was the only
future you could see for me, Aunt
Honoria?'' demanded Bess, eyes and
tone belligerent.
ct said it, responded her aunt
firmly. "Your position has changed
materially within the past two months.
Before your father lost his fortune
you were an assured success. Now, if
you refuse to accept the changed con-
ditions, the-er-responsibili of
your position
you mean if 1 refuse to marry a
man 1 don't give a rap for, just be-
cause it's a bully chance and he's a
laundering good match
Mrs. Dudley Graham raised depre-
eating shoulders, and shrank slightly
from the tone and words. Bess was
so uncompronisingly frank in her
point of view that the atmosphere at
West Brooksnere suffered. So did
the temper of its mistress. But she
had accepted the responsibility of Bess,
and meant 70 fulfill it to the letter.
Listen, dear she began; this
change has happened so suddenly that
it is quite natural that you should not
realize your position. Three years
ago your father was the richest silver
mine owner in Idaho. The panic
"Oh, don't drag thai poor old panic
into it, auntie,'' interposed Bess,
pushing back her brown curls rest
lessly. Dad was specializing long
before that happened. He wasn't sat
He went in over his head and swamped
everything. Why not tell the truth
Now there's nothing left but the ranch,
is there, and the stock?''
ooh, there's little bit more" Bill
lie spoke up for the first time, in his
lazy, noncha!ant way. about fifty
thousand. Enough for you to be in
teresting still to Hartley Chambers"
well, L don't care whether there's
fifty thousand or fifty cents. I won't
marry Mr.. Chambers. I'd rather go
home tonight
"Bess. you're a perfect little idiot"
said WinifrGd, with sudden fury.
Whether you love Hartley or not,
you might at least have sense enough
to see that it is a compliment for
man in his position even to want to
marry a girl out of the West like
you
Bess leaned back her head and
laughed merrily, her eyes full of mis-
chief. HE doesn't love me, Winnie.
Poor fellow, hes simply letting Aunt
Honoria here herd him in to the
corral to be roped and branded.
That's why I wouldn't marry him
one of the reasons He's too tame
He doesn't even put up fight. He
isn't worth even Aunt Honoria's
trouble
Right at this interesting moment
in the family council the curtains
parted at the end of the room and
barton announced Mr. Hartley Cham
bers, and from the amused CLEAN in
Mr.. Chambers gray eyes as he took
in the situation it woulG appear that
the last ringing remarks of Bess had
reached his ears.
But Bess cared not. Tall and
dauntless, she arose and cast the bur-
den of the strain on the rest of the
company. I'm going for ride,
auntie,' she announced. Coming,
"Where to?" asked Bill the indo-
Miss Collier owes me a ride"
said Hartley Chambers deliberately.
tSince we are to lose her so soon l
shall have TO claim It, Condolences
Billie
Billie shrugged his shoulders and
gr;nned sympathetically. He did not
envy Mr.. Chambers that ride with
the girl from Idaho. Scornful, mis-
chievous, daring, she had accepted the
challenges: and it was a challenge.
She knew he had heard her words,
and yet he held her to her promise.
Very well. She would ride with him:
And the three remaining members OF
the family council stood in silence for
a full five minutes after the departure
of the two.
Then, as her mother left the room,
Winifred suddenly sank down in
arms on the table. Billie whistled
softly to Misunderstanding. He was
only %, but he was very WISE, espe
cialIy in the ways of West Brooksmere-
And in his boyish way he was mighty
proud and ford of this tall. clear eyed,
blond sister.
"say, win. you like Hartley, don't
you?' he asked suddenly.
winifred lifted flushed, tear
stained face. "Billie there are times
when l hate vou.''
s'Perzactly." laughed Billie. when
T tell the truth as Bess does. 1 like
that girl, Win, even if you and the
mater do thirlS she's the irresponsible
Lid. If were Is, and just out of
college instead of just starting in, I'd
set old Hart pace"
Out on the open road that led hill
ward it did not appear that "old
Hart needed pacesetter. He was
doing very we'll alone. For perhaps
the first time in her lively life, Bess
was silent and listening attentively.
once or twice a quick flush swept