The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-18

captain indeed The little artistic gem
of house was a delight, and he ez-
planned that his sister had gone east
to care for a sick aunt. but he was
quite old enough to be chaperon. And
they ate on the little green lawn
among the flowers. and were very hap
by and content.
This was the beginning OF things
Every few Saturdays, sometimes on
Sunday and with somebody's mother
along, the little group, with slight
changes in the personnel but always
including Queenie and Ruth. came to
make merry in the fiower-f1lled garden.
Stanley Pierce changed wonderfully
taking on new life. His shoulders
Strengthened; his eyes frightened. He
was prompt at work, but ceased stay
ing overtime, and stopped bearing the
office sins of others. He was freer,
more independent, and showed a force
which the firm noted They had a fear
that they might lose him. that he had
awakened to his own value. So they
promoted him. with an increase OF
salary-and of responsibility.
But Queenie sobered as summer adj
vanced. Her two weeks vacation
brought her back pale and listless. She
seemed quiet, older by years. In that
two weeks she had not seen Pierce,
and she had dismissed John Harter.
The girls thought she might be re-
GREETING the latter move and Pierce
overheard them discussing 1t. Sudden
ly his understanding opened to the
ing warm at his heart.
The next Saturday he asked them all
to his house, and while the others were
eager, Queenie seemed Indifferent. But
the rest rallied her and she finally
went. This time Miss Nancy was at
home, and met them in her pleasant,
incisiye way, explaining that she had
just come back for her things-she was
needed Indefinitely back east. "Stan"
was a good housekeeper, she averred,
and when he grew tired of his own
company he could fool some girl into
marrying him-men worse than he did
it every dayi She was very entertain
ing and, to Queenie, embarrassing,
though the girl could not have said
why. She was self conscious.
After supper, they wandered out in
the twilight, first one couple and then
another ingeniously losing itself about
the grounds. Pierce and Queenie sat
for while on the veranda, then he led
her down the winding path to the rustic
seat beneath the big oak, and in silence
they watched the f1refiies blaze out in
the dewy grass, and the stars prick out
from the background of dark velvet
sky. Then the moon rose.
Pierce made some careless remark to
the girl but she did not answer, so he
stopped to look closely at her. Tears
shone in her eyes, and then she covered
her face with both hands. He put his
arm about her and drew the little head
to his shoulder. She turned her face
dSd1nSl Ills COdL ana DcSdh To Cry
softly.
"Queenie, Queeniep' he said, do you
care? Will you marry me? Surely
you have long known that 1 love you,
dearp'
She drew nervously away from him
and sat up, laughing alittle.
What is the trouble. Queenie?
You've not been yourself this long time.
Don't you care? Tell me!'
WELL she faltered, you will think
me an awful ittle-goose, but /
couldn't help it." She paused.
Help what - he said drawing her
back, quite willing, to his arms.
II thought you might not-really
care. I thought you heard me call you
a-back number. and horrid things,
once in the office, and were simply
getting even! I was worried to death?'
1t was his time to laugh. do you
suppose my mans ears are pricked up
to hear all the girl chatter in that Of
flee? And would it make any difference
If a girl did call me a back number, so
long as she atoned for it by marrying
me?"
Then they heard the others coming
and realizing that even for lovers the
car system has a heartleSs,
fixed, time schedule. = copyrighted,
1910, by Associated Literary Press.)