The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-12
THE EVENING STORY
CharIotte,s Yokel.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)
MnnHa nonEad HAA


Mrs. Moore packed the luncheon
baskets with skilled rapidity.
READY" called her sister, Char
iotte Owen, flying down the stairs.
car around?'
He's coming now, Ruth. I'll send
him in for the baskets
charlotte dropped her burden into
the hands of the chauffeur on the
veranda and Joined the party of
young people assembled there.
At the foot of the steps stood the
large seven passenger car which
vey the party of a round dozen to
Mosey Dell, ten miles distant. The
first load bore Mr.. and Mrs Moore,
the host and hostess Of the OCCASION
her sister Charlotte and the other
girls. Mr.. Moore and the men waved
a. goodbye to the futtering handker-
chiefs that disappeared down the long
driveway. Dick Fletcher watched
Charlotte's pale blue chiffon veil rather
wistfully until the bending trees hid
the car from view.
Mosey Dell. cupped in the hollow of
the deep hills, lay cool and shaded
among the pines and chestnuts. A
waterfall dropped unsteady from
brown brook bordered by fragrant
mint and wild forget-me-nots.
The girls scattered among the trees
while the automobile whirled back to
Dc1uk lOI Lu6 In6u. MIS-. moore
busted herself with the tea basket, for
the maids had been given a holiday
and she had preferred to assume the
preparation of the feast. Charlotte
Joined her, unusually grave and silent
for one so merry. Under large pine
the sisters made their kitchen, ar
ranging spirit lamp and tea kettle in
readiness for the meal.
Charlotte had pulled out the tea
caddy and sat dreamily regarding her
reflection in IFS nn1ieha6
silver service. Mrs. Moore watched
her covertly. At last she spoke:
Were you surprised at Dicks ar
rival, Lotte?"
Rather = how did it happen,
Ruth?"
Jack met him in town the other
day-he mentioned the picnic and in
come after the way you had treated
him." Mrs. Moore's manner was re-
proachful.
Treated him. echoed Charlotte.
Indignantly. Why. Ruth. do you
to refuse his offer of marriage-if one
doesn't care?"
ct don't see how you can help car
ing, Lotte-Dick is one of the finest
fellows in the world
"Yet you married Jack Moore
how did you escape Dick Fletcher's
destinations ?" she queried.
Ruth emerged from the basket with
wide opened eyes. "Of course Dick
was in love with Jack! 1t is differ
ent with you-you don't care for any
body else and
How do you know" interrupted
Charlotte, quietly.
"Lotte Owen.are you still in love
with that-that yekel. Joel Crane ?
That tow-headed, awkward. freckly
country pumpkin? 1 am surprised
Charlotte arose and leaned against
the pine tree. looking very fair and
young and slender in her pale blue
gown with the sunshine turning her
hair into a thousand tints of bronze
and copper. The rose had faded from
her face, leaving it white.
What if I am?" she asked in re-
ply: . IT,,
Would you spend your whole life down
here buried on that little farm?
When have you seen him2 sup
posed you had forgotten all that rub
Dish about his saving your life years
ago.
Ruth Moore laughed. "You silly,
romantic thing! He's probably mar
ried long ago and forgotten all about
you Wen motor around by that
shall see all the tow-headed children,
chickens and pigs! I believe you're
merely joking. Lotte, after all! Who
would look at Joel Crane after know
ing that Dick Fletcher, handsome. !
rich, charming wanted to marry
one?"
ruth, did you invite Dick down
purposely 2" demanded Charlotte.
st did, Lotto. and I think you're
an ungrateful goose not to take adj
vantage of such an opportunity: Dick
would buy the Cedars, that charming
place next to Sunnyside and"
But Charlotte had vanished around
the trunk of the tree and Ruth's in
dignant glance followed her fitting
among the brown pine trunks until
the pale blue gown disappeared be-
yond the waterfall. Then she turned
to welcome the coming automobile
with its gay party. and vainly tried to
think of some reasonable explanation
Of Charlotte's disappearance.
Charlotte clambered up the steep
rocks moist with spray from the fall
woods there flowed the deep, swift
stream that dropped over the rocky
brink to form the waterfall below.
Charlotte went along the brink until
that formed a dark deep pool that
seemed apart from the hurrying |
stream.
On large. slippery rock above the
watching the ripping brook. AS she
dreamed the wild rose flush came
back to her cheeks.
She saw another summer day-in-
deed today was its anniversary. She
was sixteen and she stole away from
Sunnyside, which had been her faith
er's house, and came to fish in the
dark pool for the monster trout. She
had been an ardent fisherwoman
then, and a skiIiful angler. Heart
free, care-free, she had gone about
her fishing that day; perched on the
slippery rock she had cast her fly,
the pole dipped and then Strengthened
up as she wound the reel.
The big trout dashed out into the
stream with startling suddenness;. in
Charlotte's clinging hands and she'l
slid swiftly down into the dark pool
She was conscious of sinking to some