The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-26
THE EVENING STORY
aAs High as MY Heart.

sAs High as MY Heart"
(By Martha McCulloch-wiIliams.
ST wonder if I dare ?" Bemis said
half musingly. but with the ghost of q
lurking smile.
Evelyn tossed her head scornfully.
eff 1 happened to be a man. I'd dare
first-and wonder about it afterward."
she said
Indeed. Then here goes." Bemis
laughed and kissed her twice.
| As she sprang away from him,
flushing a lovely scarlet, the high heel
of her left slipper turned-she would
have fallen. but he caught her in his
arms.
when the skies fall we catch
larks," he quoted malapropos, his eyes
dancing. although his tone was judi
| cial. French heels. it appears. are
also effective. Please wear them all
the time
ct hate you-forever and ever and
ever!" Evelyn painted, freeing herself
from his sustaining clasp.
| How encouraging!" he murmured
to space. generally. Hate changes
easily-it is indifference that is really
deadly"
ST am going back to Mrs. Bateman."
Evelyn announced in a small strangled
voice, limiting not of tears but of anger.
Bemis caught the note with concern
lit told him he had overplayed the
game. Instantly he drew her hand
upon his arm, saying deferentially:
perhaps it is best But-you'll let
| me take you in to supper? Do!
| Pleased"
A world of entreaty hung upon the
last word. lingeringly. softly spoken.
| Evelyn did not answer: she walked
the door she stopped short and turned
toward the piazza, saying fmpetuously:
Hide me! Quick!'
How and where can answer-why
is a puzzle Bemis ansewred very low.
as he hurried down the steps and on
to the rose walk at the foot of the
garden.
Why!'" Evelyn explained half de-
family. ''is because of that Meeker per-
son. Didn't you see him standing in
wait back of Mrs. B.? He is down for
two dancesJthis Is one of them. The
idea of wanting to dance when you are
bald and weigh two hundred poundsi
II should feel as If 1 were at primary
j school again, spinning the globe. and
trying to make the equator tip up or
4 down.
Doubtless the Hon. Jacob would
rather sit and talk to you-if he could.
But he believes we are here to dance
that capering nimbly to the lascivious
pays for the society of very pretty
girls. How comes it he has two dances
!, though? You would hardly agree I
, should have one and half
} Evelyn confessed. you know Alice
Green is hot on his trail-and it is
; such fun-spoiling her game. She was
: standing close by when he asked me
and turned seven colors under her
I. rouge All 1 thought of then was
making her turn colors. Maybe I
fought to dance with him. to pay my
} self OUT
"You ought not Bemis answered
with decision. Leave him to the
! - aff - az,
: Alice can get in her fine work as a
) CONSIDER Remember how it is with
her-sort of last call for the dining
. car She's over seven-to say the
. least, actually and in spirit. Well, I
believe she was never young"
I'D be sorry for her-only she
: won't let me-" Evelyn said pensively.
'If she tattled outright I shouldn't
mind-not so much. But she comes
: and insinuates things-things that
! can't disprove things you know moth
ing about"
: "As, for instance?" Bemis cross-ex-
amined.
Evelyn looked up at him almost visit
fully. The full moon at quarter In the
sky, made the garden as light as day
nd wrought new enchantment in he
] face. Granny is curious about-Miss
Morton" she said irrclevantly. The girl
you are going to marry, you know
| Granny thinks she knew her fathers
he one OF the Essex Mortons? I prom
tsed to find out"
, MARY Nortor.s father is one of the
Essex Nortons," Bemis said, smiling
covertly. And Mary herself is-the
most perfect young woman in the
world"
NAT rrally--to YOU" Evelyn answer
, ed. rallying gallant.y, though her heart
was like lead.
Until now she had chung to a des-
| perate unbelief, in spite Of Alice Green s
circumstantial variations. Bennis could
3 not be so false-thus she had said ia
= Observation-Disclosures to another girl, he
; would rever, never dare to look love
3 at her, to act t, to do eevrything but
} speak it. Now-her world was Keeling
z still pride and worlar's instinct stead
l led her.
8 sTell me all about her" she went
: on rs she tall or short-this girl you
J love?"
: "The girl love-" Bemis quoted, sis
lust as high as my heart I am not
3 quite sure yet as to the color ~ Ter
, eyes, the shape Of her nose, indeed of
anything about her save that she Is in
} every way adorable"
How badly you have it," Evelyn
: murmured with smile of soft malice.
3 She was getting herself in hand
: Bennis must never, never guess how
r he had misled her. Cupid is blind
of course. you can't describe her. But
| you can surely tell me th1s-have you
3 loved her a long timer"
..Since first I heard her speak" Be
mis- said almost dreamily. at went
: through me like flute note. or the
= singing of violins. 1 told myself then
= would marry the voices mistress-or
) nobody
Suppose she had been ugly and a
7 shreW? Or even-Alice Green?' Eve
' lyn hazarded.
Bemis laughed softly. Mature is
fond of --aradoxes. but they are never
impossible paradoxes," he said. THAT
t voice bespoke what 1 found later--the
2 very dearest girl in the world"
r "When is the wedding to be?" Eve
t Ign asked, steadying herself with a
/ small cold hand uoon the rim of the
y sun dial they had reached in their
wandering.