The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-23
THE EVENING STORY
Georgia's Rival.
(By Stacy E. Bakery

O1uO u 1ISI eyes DIS she spoke.
Stilwell-John f. SCtilwell, fiance of
the girl now Tuning before him and
skilled in isprudence-froze per-
ceptibly and summoned his crossest
frown.
you don't know what you are say
ing" asserted John F., his dark eyes
flashing and his form drawn erect.
81 dos' declared the vehement Geor-
gia. Under the stress of her excite
ment two curls broke from the yellow
''She's "a f1irt! She knows we are
engaged. and yet she hangs around af-
ter YOU
TITS false" Numbered John F. in
before his young eloquence and won
cases from the very jaws of defeat.
IT'S false, I tell you-she doesn't care
for me in that way"
"Only yesterday continued Geor-
gia, a disdainful curve to her lips,
''she had the sublime nerve to call me
up by phone-me, in my own house
and ask if you were here. Il told
her"
"You told her many things" inter-
terrupted John F., that you wouldn't
have told her if you understood. You
are like all of your sex. You jump to
mad conclusions
You can't marry US BOTH" said the
the youth. eff you are of Mormon
istic tendencies you should move to
Utah, you know. You have sighted
me shamefully since-since that adj
ventures came to town. don't pro-
pose to stand it day longer"
She's no adventures, 1 tell you"
growled StilwelI. ST have a great deal
of respect for her. L"
Ct suppose you intend to confess to
me that you love her"
"WelI-and what if I do?'
"You-you brute!" Georgia Mainon
fairly screamed in her rage. 'How
dare you stand there before me and
and ask that? I release you from
your engagement at once L"
frightened at the havoc he had
wrought. Listen, dear, if only you
understood
81 understand well enough. Oh, to
think that could be so mistaken in a
intuition any more. am shocked.
am hurt. Now, sir go-leave my
house at once"
You have said you loved her. That
7 didn't say that. II only asked
a question"
"Then you do not love herr"
s'Why, IL
Answer me, Don't evade! Do you
love her2"
Eyes, dear, but"
Don't you dare call me dear, and
now. if you don't leave the house will
call papa
'fWeIi, I'll be-darned." gasped
Stilwel, as the angry little maid
f1ounced out of the room, slamming
the door as she did so. Gee, I GER
tainly have put my foot in it this
time.'
Remorsefully, the young lawyer took
his hat and left the house. From
there he went to the hotel and sent
up his card to the other woman.
The other woman was Mrs. Dorothy
Moreland, a pretty and vivacious wild
ow and a pronounced brunette. She
had come to Marchville several months
before and hired the most expensive
suite of rooms at the Windsor. March
VILE, although the county seat, is
small town. People talk. Therefore,
when John F. Stilwell began prompt
lv to show the visitor marked atten-
ton the gossips began to megaphone
his amour, or alleged amour, from the
housetops, so to speak, and all made
it a point to keep the young attorneys
fiancee we'll informed.
Since StilweIl had finished college
and come to Marchville to locate he
and the daughter of Judge Mainon had
become engaged. Long before their
prognosticated it, and now
Georgia Mainon, in her room, cried
bitterly. This was an end to her ro-
nance, then. Fate was tricky jade.
She felt that life from now on would
not be worth living
A half hour after the fateful inter
view, John F., beside the other wom-
an, drove into the country. smile on
his lips, and. seemingly, laugh in his
| heart His breaking UP with his
fancee did not spell ruin for him.
John F. was philosopher.
Several weeks elapsed. The lawyer
was still a faithful satellite of the
handsome Mrs. Dorothy, and gossips
1 CT T1n n
Marchville, with the youth and the
| other woman as subject matter.
| It was an indignant Georgia who re-
| ceived the card of her successful rival,
and she descended from her own
chamber to the reception room with
wrath in her heart.
silently she pulled aside the heavy
| draperies. and took one comprehensive
look at the woman before she became
aware of her presence p e.. tho soornf,,,
| Georgia. with a thought of her own
charming youth. "She isn't woman
that would believe John Stilwell
| could care for. She has crows feet,
| she whispered.
| Mrs. Dorothy Moreland arose as the
girl approached, and with frankly ad-
miring eyes upon her hostess, she held
out an impulsive hand with, Miss
Mainon, I believer"
stretched member. quite right" she
answered, making no effort to conceal
her dislike for the other. why am
-er-honored by this visit?
| The other woman laughed, no trace
of resentment in her dark, expressive
eyes
John has told me so much about
you" declared Mrs. Dorothy Moreland
| THAT I felt I must come and call upor
you. He protested, but-well, you see
| am here"
How dared your" gasped the girl
| "Oh. 1 dare do anything" said the
other easily. ST even dare pose as E
reasonably young and giddy widow
when I really am-as I note your dis
corning eyes have already surmised-
a sere and yellow old woman. But
my dear, I am not here to chatter
about myself. You were engaged II
John, were you not?''
The effrontery of this woman wa!