The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-12

probably less than an hour, the young
man returned, his face set and stern,
his manner cold. He stepped over and
leaned on the mantel, looking down
at the soft beauty of the girl as she
looked questioningly up at him from
| her big CT air.
! Nov, Alcie, have only you to ap-
peal to. think your father sees the
justice OF my plea, but he dares not
openly attack your mothers attitude.
| She wants-a1l sorts of things; me, to
| be surer of myself-and to make more
money; you to have more time, more
Society-more clothes, even, and to be
/ further sure of yourself! She did not
Since she is your mother, I will not
say more, save that she did not deny
| it when I openly accused her of want
ing to separate us for time and to
get you with Tom Austin for a whole
| season"
"Dear-you need never fear my
changingi" and at the pain in his
face she jumped up and went to him,
clinging closely to him; But where
once he would gladly have EMBODIED
her. he now held her off
mo- he said, Gin my heart I do
not doubt you, but I want you to mar
| ry me soon-before they go South
this winter. I appeal to you! I have
no home now, mother being gone to
my sisters until you make one for me-
Alcie, your mother would not even con-
sent definitely to next June-or even
to September-a whole year, What
are you going to do? viii you stand
with her--or with me?"
my heart is with you" she said
softly, 'but-I could not-run away
and I know the hopelessness of re-
I'm afraid We will have to wait
The man drew her to him and
kissed her. then he released her, and
took his hat.
when you feel that you can marry
me-" he said quietly, will you tell
Eyes" she said. ooh, Steve. don't
take it like this-I will"
A month later the Brand household
was packed and ready for travel.
Maude, not visibly worse than her
usual delicacy of health, was impa-
tient to be gone. Mrs. Brand was
openly triumphant that Alcie had
made no trouble. Steve had been TO
the house very little, and she dattered
herself as to her firmness.
The day of departure arrived. Alc1e
had her trunks packed and came to
the hasty breakfast already dressed IN
her new travelling suit ready for the
early train they were all to take. The
girls eyes were very bright and her
face happy. But yesterday she had
been merely tractable and lifeless- Her
mother rejoiced, but not for long
After breakfast A1cie slipped from
the DdCk QOOI 10 IHS uSoA 49,
phone booth. She came back flushed
and excited and was ready with the
others when the motor came to take
them to the station. At the station
Mrs. Brand got the surprise of her
life She saw Steve-whom she had
expected. She had not, however,
looked for the Right Rev. James Pres
ton, nor two of Steve's host friends.
There, was much chat, and when the
train was in sight Alcie suddenly took
Steve's arm and they walked up to
that lady.
Mother" said Alcie, sT'm not going
with you. I can't leave Steve. l
called him -p from the drug store and
told him I would marry him at the
first church he would take me to the
minute you were gone He has the
license. Goodbye"
The astonished woman was begin
ming to hunt for words. when her
husband took her by the arm.
Come" he said. You must get
aboard-Maude's alone there. Alcie
is perfectly right. I sanction this!
You go and I will follow you on the
next train after see this daughter of
ours safely married. They are start
ing on a trip this afternoon. Come,
Maryi"
For once Mrs. Brand dared not
question her husbands authority
copyrighted 1910 by Associated Lit
erary PreS-.)