The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-28

silence preserved by the recipient of
these condolences seemed to give con-
sent.
| When the anniversary of Eskine's
| Hrst letter came around, and Eskine
wrote witt. unusual cordiality in COM
Llemoration of the event, Vernon's
| sleeping conscience woke up. There
! had been something in the letter that
| had made her vaguely uneasy. The
| enthusiastic reference her correspond
ent had made to the inspiration of the
| singular friendship. brought before her
| thoughts very distinctly the misunder-
| standing under which Leslie Eskimo
was laborlng. She thinks I'm man.
thought Vernon, conscience-stricken
| And it's even possible that she might
| fall in love with me-
She wrote a long letter that same
| afternoon. 1t was a frank letter. She
explained as well as possible the mis-
cEjevous impulse which had led her to
| allow Miss Eskimo to continue in her
| r1lSappcehenSion, and laid emphasis on
! the fact that she had grown to value
| the friendship. Indeed, if you are
angry with me for continuing this
childish deception" Vernon wrote, Il
shall be- frankly miserable" At this
| point she was compelled to have re-
| course to her pocket handkerchief. 1t
was extraordinary now blank the future
| seemed without the cordial encourage
ment Of Leslie Eskimo. Even her critic
| ds1ns were preferable to silence. 1t
was damp little wad of a handkerchief
| that was restored to Vernon's pocket
| at last.
| She sent the maid to the corner with
| the letter, and devoted herself to writ
| Ing humorous verses. She was half
Way through the second poem when
Mary Ann trudged up the stairs to say
| that a gentleman wished to see her.
'sLeastways, he asked for Mr.. Fdeld,''
| explained Mary Ann. But since you re
the honly individual so named, it's
you he must a meant
| Let me see the card said Vernon,
| cautiously, and held out her hand. The
next minute she was on her feet, grip
| ping Mary AIMS shoulder.
Mary Ann. did you say a gentle
man? Isn't i lady? Stop and think.
Mary Ann"
Mary AIMS respectable British
backbone stiffened. I'm that case,
miss she replied, tits the most hex
| traordinary type of female ever in
this 'ouse, for it's in brooches and with
| a muStache."
! There was a long silence. Tell
him" said Vernon at last, gulping
over the pronoun, that 1 will be down
very soon.''
When she descended the stairs, Ver-
non Field did not look like a rising
young writer, whose stories had been
| accepted by some of the best maya
| zines. Instead, her manner suggested
a naughty child, anticipating an inter-
view llkely TO result In her being sent
supperless to bed. And the young man
| in the parlor looked anything but a
| successful illustrator. He was flushed,
| awkward, uncomfortable-yet it was
he who first found his voice.
II beg your pardon" he said, but
1 wished to see Mr.. F'ield-Mr. Vernon
Hamilton Field. Perhaps" he added
hopefully, you are his sister,"
Vernon sat down. She did it hast
lily, for her knees were giving way.
NO" she replied frankly, I'm not
his sister. I'm he!"
What" explained Mr.. Eskimo, ex-
plosively.
IT mean I'm she. I'm Vernon Ham
ilton Field-the only one there is"
And T. said the caller, 'am Leslie
Eskimo
| They looked at each other, and the
explanations and apologies trembling
On the lips of each were never spoken
Vernon gave way to hysterical laugh
ter and Eskimo chimed in. And when
they wiped their moist eyes and re-
gained breath for serious speech all
was understood and all was forgiven.
I'VE were both wrong" Eskimo said
when he babe her goodbye several
hours later. I'VE were both wrong
but this may be one of the rare cases
when two wrongs make a right. Don't
you think so?"
"I don't know what you mean
Vernon answered. But her eyes drop
ping before his and a1luring in thei1
very shyness, told "a different story
copyrighted 1910 by Associated Lit
erary Press.)