The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-15
THE EVENING STORY
A Wandering Destiny.
(By Mabel Chase England. }

VI silruO,' StrelcneQ straight and dusty
under the burning August sun. A girl
in cool white came slowly out of a
| gateway, clicked the latch behind her
and stood gazing obviously at the
| prospect. Under one. arm she held a
book and a box of chocolates; with
the other she raised her ruffled skirts.
A mile to the woods. a short walk
| along shady path to the bank of the
| river, then-her canoe-the book
| the chocolates. and
| With sudden decision she stepped
| into the road and began picking her
way gingerly along the edge. When
she reached the opening in the woods
| where the path began she heaved an
| immense sigh of relief. but without
pausing kept steadily on till she
she sank down on the log to which
her small canoe was moored. threw
| off her hat, and gasped.
"Phewi' she. said IT don't believe
I'd do that again.
| She sat a few moments. her chin on
| her hands. gazing out over the shaded
river, then, stepping into her canoe
lsshe arranged herself comfortably on
| a pile of cushions, placed the book
and the chocolates conveniently be-
The air was brooding and somno-
| lent; the silence deep. She drifted
| lazily-just a touch here and there
with the paddle to guide her. A faint
| lifted the soft hair from her brow.
| The moments passed. Slowly, almost
| imperceptibly, the little canoe crept
along. zoe's eyes rested steadily on
| a distant curve in the bank.
sit was just beyond that she MUIR
INJURED.
She rounded the bend cautiously.
Her heart gave an excited little throb.
He was there. He lay facing the
river, his head thrown back on his
his whole graceful length Y
tended in an attitude of utter repose.
"Asleep!" thought Zoe resentfully,
and yesterday he had had his back to
the river and hadn't appeared to see
she had thought of him till late in
the night and dreamed of him till
dawn she had failed to determine.
Now was her chance to discover what
compelling characteristics lurked in
his silent personality. She hesitated.
making sure of his absolute uncon-
seriousness. At last she turned her
canoe toward him, propelled it slowly.
carefully, till it's bow ran noiselessly
into the soft mud of the bank. $
Her paddle across her knees, she
leaned forward, eagerly, to inspect
undisturbed this sleeping young prince
of the woods. What physiquei-
what features!-what an absolutely
ideal type for the hero of a sylvan
adventure, a little love idyll, such as
the whole scenario seemed to suggest.
st believe" she reflected dreamily.
''if father would only let me alone I'd
fall in love with some one just ex-
actIy like this and under some just
romantic condition. But 1 will not
here her reflections grew energetic
ally rebellious-"marry that Tom Dris-
coll he's always talking about, and
won't stay at home to be baited with
him when he comes. Oh, if I could
ever'-she drew a long sigh-"meet
an unusual type of man in an unusual
way"
At this point of her reflections, sud
or motion, his eyes opened full upon
her.
They stared at each other, he too
astonished, she too panic stricken to
move.
"PIease don't vanish" he MUIR
INJURED at last. I'm afraid to wink
':Oh, what can I say?'' thought Zoe
wildly.
"I-I was so astonished to see
you." she stammered. 81 just stopped
toto make sure you we're"
"a man and not faun," he suggest
ed helpfully.
mo" she contradicted, frowning
that you were asleep and not-not
dead. You see, I have never before
seen a man in these wilds. and
mot even a dead one?" he inter
rupted. laughing.
mo" she smiled distantly. mot
even LIdIlp. Anu WOHQSICQ-1
Il was here yesterday" he re-
preached her.
"He saw met" she thought in
dignantly. He thinks I came down
here today on the chance of meeting
him, the conceited-'
ST paddle down here every day."
she informed him coldly.
ooh, really!" he exclaimed. with
you to tell me. I'll be here fishing
every afternoon. and"
81 didn't mean that" she flashed
back furiously.
He looked detected. Pardon me-"
he said, 81 don't suppose you did. I
merely meant that-that-. oh,
please don't co. as she prepared to
push off. Selling a fallen branch he
dexterously hooked it through the
of he canoe. and drawing 1t toward
him grasped it firmly. ST simply
meant" he proceeded with calmness,
that was coming here. always:
mind that, do you?" he inquired hum
bly,.
st don't care in the least what you
do she retorted, with angry dis
dain.
He gave the rope a couple of turns
around his wrist and settled himself
comfortably.
I'm that case I shall sit here and
talk to you," he announced.
For answer Zoe pulled herself care
fully toward the bow and began to
work busily at the knot that secured
her end OF the rope to the little iron
ring in the bow of the canoe. II
"Of course, I might offer to help
you,'' he unused aloud, 'but under the
circumstances What You're go
ing to give it up? Well, that is more
sensible. I'm afraid that knot was
put in to stay"
Zoe moved back to her former po-
sition and rearranged herself on the
cushion, after which she opened her
book and began to read and MUNICH
chocolates
He watched her q moment.
isn't this idyllic pa he murmured
contentedly.