The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-28
THE EVENING STORY
The Eavesdronner.
(By Abraham R. Groh.)

No cloud had marred the horizon
OF hope for Marian Moore and Richard
Kingsley during the year they were
engaged. And the first one that ap-
peared was so large that it seemed to
overcast the whole sky in an instant
and to give promise of nothing but
long and sure storm.
one afternoon Marian passed the
SldWeI home and heard through an
open window the voice of her fiance.
HIS mere presence there was unex-
pected, considering his often express
ed dislike for Eleanor Sidwell. But
the words which he uttered were al
most beyond belief. Had Miss Moore
not heard them with her own ears
nothing in the world could have per-
suaded her that he had spoken them.
The words were these:
l love you, darling, more than
ever dreamed of loving any woman be-
fore. We are here alone now and
VIII tell you the truth. Then, if you
still wish to drive me from you I must
go. But you shall first know my real
feelings.
Following this impassioned declara-
ton Marian heard the voice of Flea
nor. 1t was lower than his but full of
tenderness. Moreover, 1t was distinct
ly audible.
Dick, are you sure that you love
me?"
Stunned though Marian had been at
Ii ST. she NOW feSa1neQ her SELF possess
sion sufficiently to walk on. Her ears
fairly dngled. She moved mechanical
~ and, hardly knowing where she went
found herself at home. She entered the
house, hurried to her room, threw her
self on the bed and gave way to bit
ter weeping.
Relieved by tears, she looked the sit
uation in the face.
Marian Moore was a young woman
OF strong character. She took pen and
paper ana after tearing up many notes
finally was satisfied with one which
read:
Mr.. Richard Kingsley-I cannot see
you tonight nor ever in the future I
have learned unfortunately before it
was too late. Never address me again"
When Dick Kingsley received this
| note he was stunned for moment He
read the letter a dozen times. At first
he couldn't believe his eyes. Then he
decided it was joke.
He rushed to a telephone and called
up Marian. His heart beat hard as he
waited. At last he heard her voice.
This you, Marian - he cried, try
ing to assume a heartiness he did not
feel. That was great joke you
played on me. I just received your
note. 1t gave me an awful start at
first But I see it now. Ha ha-"
His forced gayety was sadly smoth-
cred, however, when he heard the
voice of Miss Moore, very cold and in
eXoraDle, saying:
1T was not joke, Mr.. Kingsley, I
assure you. 1 wrote the note and I
meant every word in it. Good-by.''
The receiver was hung up.
Richard Kingsley sat down and be-
sought himself to be calm. He looked
about him to make sure he was in his
right senses He knew he had left
Miss Moore two evenings before in the
best of spirits. His heart throbbed with
tenderness as he remembered the pic
ture of her pretty self silhouetted in
| the light from the half open door as
they said good night. What, then, had
| changed her in this short time?
'Oh, I can't endure this nightmare ~
he groaned.
re hurried out and to the home of
| his fiancee.
Miss Moore is not in," said the maid
| at the door.
But Richard Kingsley in his present
mood was not to be deceived or put off
by a social conventionality.
IT must see her," he said.
He seated himself in the drawing
room and waited. 1t was a long time
| until he heard the familiar step. She
| appeared at the door and looked at him
unsmilingly, inquiringly. There was n
suspicion of redness about her eyes.
but she looked as firm as fate. Dick
arose and hurried toward her.
Marian, this is some awful joke" he
cried.
Please do not come near me, Mr..
Kingsley" she said coldly. You have
| forced your way into the house and
compelled me to see you against nv
will must repeat that meant what I
| said in the letter. Our enga cement is
| broken
Heaven seemed to shut its gates upon
Dick. BlindIy he sought to take a last
| glimpse.
Marian. you must tell me, at least,
the reason for my dismissal" he said
| striving to control his voice
She looked at him steadily and al
most scornfully a long moment before
she spoke:
Wen a young man who has pro-
| fessed his whole love for me goes away
! and few hours later expresses a most
| ardent regard for another young wo-
man, Is not that sufficient provocatioa
| for breaking an engagement"
| But, Marian!" exclaimed the young
man, you don't mean to say that
| ever
She was gone and he heard her foot
| stairs.
Life for the two young persons was
melancholy affair during the days
| that followed. Miss Moore seldom
went out and Mr.; Kingsley had vague
notions of leaving the prosperous
lumber firm in which he was Junior
partner to court adventure and seek
oblivion in the wflds of Africa.
One day Marian saw an account in
| the newspaper of an entertainment
given by the Country club for the
benefit of the orphans home. In the
printed cast of characters was this:
Dick Brathwaite, in love with Net
| tie. Richard Kingsley.
/ ''Nettie Majors, Eleanor Sidwell.'
The lines danced before her. She
waited to read no more. The paper
fell from her fingers and her eyes were
filled with a new light.
"Oh. how have wronged him" she
cried.
Now Miss Marian Moore was of that
altogether iovabIe type of woman that
forgives as quickly and as ardentiy as
| it condemns Therefore Dick Kingsley
| moping in his office and considering
| his expedition to the African junglcs,
| listlessly answered the telephone about