The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-05
THE EVENING STORY
The Healing OF a Breach.
(By Marian C. walton.)

eff only I were man. Ellen ex-
ploded. her eyes dark with tears
Clayton's eyes twinkled despite
their open admiration. mo doubt it
is possible to improve on the ways Of
providence" he said. "Still--in this
case, I don't see any misfit"
"Of course not-you believe What
ever is. is right, Ellen flung at him
in a tone meant to be crushing.
Clayton took her hands in his,
looked carefully at the pink palms,
soft as a baby's, at the filbert nails, the
tapering tips and went on: cit really
seems to me the powers that be knew
their business. What could you do
with these hands? Besides-men are
not allowed to cry merely for getting
vexed-nothing short of losing for
lachrymOSe-'
"Hushl You are too hateful for
anything! Anything Ellen burst
out. "Of course, if 1 were a man
ann should have reach and strength
of body to match my strength of
mind"
Dear me! Where do you keep it?
I always thought you adorably femi-
nine-not the least bit strong-minded.
myself mistaken. You know I've quite
made up my mind to marry you"
"Indeedl'' the monosyllable. spoke
volumes-of scorn, of anger, Of
smothered satisfaction. Clayton
caught the smothered note and smiled
covertly.
Ellen saw the smile, read it Alright,
and grew angrier than ever. Maybe
am ungrateful," she went on, chok-
ing slightly, "but really. it seems to
''An rights Clayton conceded
promptly But see here. honey-bug,
don't, don't let's quarrel. even before
We are engaged"
"Then-when can we quarrel?"
Ellen demanded. I'VE surely never
will be engaged
do you mean that?" Clayton de-
manded, a hint Of seriousness creep
ing into his voice.
Ellen looked him up and down. ''I
mean it. Utterly, positively" she
said $50 I had better say good-by to
you-I fancy you won't care to stay
for dinner
mo; but I am not going until you
hear me out" Clayton said half stern
ly. 1--WE have got beyond testing. Let
you've been showing it the best I
know how this year and better.
think you love memo matter what
you say-now. But you are fouting
me, angry with me over the most fool
ish thing III the world. An old quar-
your family. If it meant anything.
I'd joy to take it up. You are pre-
cious to me-so precious any hurt or
shame or seattle to you would be
worth a mans life if I knew it. But
don't intend to make myself a laugh
ing stock for the county by refusing
to speak from the same stand with
General Peabody at the rally next
week. 1 want to speak-for many
reasons-I ought to do tit belongs
~ &c O ma nifiz0n
wouldn't have me sit back, a snail in
ct would when that creature Pea
body was around. My father simply
couldn't bear him. If I were man
I'd show him the blood was true to
itself-no Burton ever forgets," Ellen
said, her eyes flashing
Clayton was not sure whether he
wanted most to kiss her or to shake
her. He compromised. by kissing her
hands, murmuring fond words as he
did it.
She snatched away the hands, say
ing scornfully: mo doubt you think
I'm clay-to be nodded as you choose.
But this I tell you-and you may be-
lieve 1.-THE day you shake hands
with General Peabody, that day you
cease to be-even an acquaintance Of
mine"
After the last word she turned
away. Clayton whistled. and took an
made the grand mistake of arguing
where he should have entreated. But
Nell was always so sensible-unti1
now" he told himself: How could
guess he had so much of that old
fire-eater, her daddy? Games up, it
appears-without a special provi-
dence. Please send one-quick-kind
Fate. Life without Nell is du1ler than
ditch-water."
Ellen had. not meant to go to the
but q
imperative fell upon her. So she was
there. very fine, very gay, with Johnny
Goold at her elbow. He had begged to
fetch her, but she had come alone in
the family carriage. save for Nanny
Nance.
Johnny's tender mercies were over
tender-he had been mad about Nell
ever since they met. He was not bad
looking, nor bad hearted only lax and
coarse of fiber, also easily beset with
a craving for liquor Ellen had never
seen him save strictly sober-she was
pardonab1e for failing to understand
his high color, his glib speech, his all
bracing affection for the universe. He
was gallant to every petticoat, but he
never got far away from Ellen.
Long before the speaking ended,
though she had not fully sensed his
condition, she had begun to be uneasy.
Prejudiced as she was, uneasy as she
was, she had had to admit that Cen
era1 Peabody was worth hearing; not
so well worth it as Frank Clayton, to
be sure-but still he was eloquent, and
had sense no less than sound to what
he said. Deep down she began to won
der-she had been regretting ever
since the day of the quarrel. If only
she had left a loophole-but she knew
how futile it was to think Frank
would ever come back?
Wont you find nanny. please"
she asked Johnny. 81 think we had
better go home before dinner. Tell
her so-and to come at once"
You're going to dine, not at this
measly barbecue-but with me-up at
the club, Johnny said, strenuously