The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-30
THE EVENING STORY
They Compromised.
(By Nellie Gravey Gillmor

DelllSerenI moment staring straight
through the open window at the riot
of towering roses in the garden be-
yond. But their rainbow fragrance
failed to carry an appeal. Her eyes
We're flashing, and twin flags of re-
sentful crimson had begun to wave
minister, indeed Why she would as
soon think of being married by the
gardener as not to have dear DR.. Waiver
ley otfictate at her wedding. He had
married her mother, baptized herself
and performed the last sad rites
over her beloved father. There was
no one else in the whole world who
could or should read the nuptial
service over her!
With trembling fingers she took up
Harold Craig's letter, postmarked New
York, and skinned through the con-
tents:
Dearest Phoebe:
Il am glad you have set the day for
June 10. 1 can then have a full
months vacation, and Mr. Hendricks
time, coming with me to Chicago a
couple of days before the ceremony.
have asked him to perform the SER
vice, and he has signified his pleasure.
Am rushed today. but will write
you long letter by tonights mail
and try to tell you how much I love
you. You already know that am the
happiest man in the world.
''As ever. Hal"
The indignant tears splashed the
page she was reading and caused
Harold Craig's affectionate words to
run together in a knocking blur of pur-
pie. With an uncontrolled gesture of
mutiny, Phoebe crumpled the letter
into a ball and flung it into the trash
basket. To be ignoredi $3.50 super
ciliousIy overlooked! Her temper was
fast getting the better of her, and,
obeying swift impulse. she rose and
crossed the room to a desk.
With rising ire, her pen raced
through the words:
Dear Hal:
"Your letter of the Sth received.
Needless to say, its contents grieved
me exceedingly. 1t is my prerogative,
I believe, to select the minister, and
cannot understand your summary
way of setting aside my rights and
inviting your Mr.. Hendricks to officiate
at our wedding.
81 shall never be married by any
minister of any denomination except
Dr. Waverley. Please explain the sit
uation to your friend and obIige.
yours in haste, Phoebe"
Phoebe's curt little note brought
young Craig to Chicago post haste.
The unexpectedness of his visit put
Phoebe instantly on the defensive.
She greeted him frigidly
81 came" began Craig tentatively,
ito suggest a compromise. Just as
you are devoted to your pastor and
determined to have him marry us, so
am 1 attached to mine and-equally
determined. It is not so much a mat
ter of religious principle as personal
feeling. Why can't we have both of
them. Phoebe, and a home wedding?''
The black glittered in Phoebe's eyes
the red in her cheeks
mo" she said decisively, ct have
made all my arrangements. and I re-
fuse to compromise, as you put it.
Any gentleman-"
Young Craig's shoulders squared re-
sentfully. He looked at her with the
first touch of anger he had ever dis
engagement. isn't that putting 1t
trif1e strong? I think we are start
ing on the wrong track, considering
that we are to spend our lives to-
gether-''
Then we will not spend our lives
together. So there!'
When Harold Craig recovered from
his establishment he was staring at the
blank wall instead of into Phoebe
Walters face. He waited half an hour
AN hour. She did not return. He
picked uQ a book from the reading
table and began to turn the leaves abb
sently. The clock striking 6 reused
him. He must catch the train back
to New York without fail. or his bust
ness affairs would be in Jeopardy. He
The maid came at once. with the infor-
nation that Miss Phoebe had retired to
| bed with a sick headache. Craig was
| in a quandary. But the time was fly
| ing quickly. He tore leaf from his
mem orandum book and scrubbed a
hasty line, giving it to the maid to be
| delivered to Phoebe.
! "My Dear Girl-You are nervous
and overwrought. I am sorry if
seemed to be rude or ungentlemanly
I
No doubt, after thinking things over
you will perfectly agree with me. In
| the meantime. I shall be obliged to re-
turn to my work as this is the begin
| ming of the heavy season-and 1 don't
/ want anything to spoil our honeymoon
/ "Regretting that I cannot see you
| before I go, your loving Hal"
Weeks went by and there came nc
word from Phoebe. At first young
! Craig merely smiled at her stubborn.
| ness, telling himself that he understood
women, that she would wake up before
| long. But when there remained only
two weeks before the appointed day
| of the wedding he began to experience
some uneasiness. Impulsively ht
wired:
Expect me on the 18th of June
Let's quit trifing."
The answer came back on the same
day:
| of June. From there 1 embark FOL
| Manila to help nurse our soldiers
/ On receipt of her telegram, CraiE
hurried at once to the manager and
! asked that his vacation date a weeI
| previous to the former time asked
flor The young fellows white face anC
troubled eyes Induced the manager t.
bridge over his objections and answer
in the affirmative.
With a sigh OF relief Craig returned
to his desk and attacked his books
Five miles from Los Angeles the en-
| CINE broke down. That would maxi
the train late.
Craig expressed his chagrin in VIC
lent terms, under his breath. TOT
restless and outdone to sit still, h
left the car and began TO pace up and
down on the switch track. parable
with the main, bothering the porter