The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-12
THE EVENING STORY
Seeing Phoebe Home.
(By Jane Osborn.)

Seeing Phoebe Home.
(By Jane Osborn.l
Phoebe Dare sat erect on the shiny
hafrcloth sofa with her great eyes
nxed on the lowered carpet OF the
Dare parior. Before her, cramped
and uncomfortable, sat Jonathan
Crane, grim smile on his homely
face and his eyes intent on Phoebe.
Say, Phoebe" he said at length,
who's going to take you to the Kings
Phoebe made no response, but
merely raised her eyes proudly and
with tantalizing twinkle.
or course you wouldn't go with
me?" he asked. He began with the
Phoebe had just emphatioally declin-
ed his proffered hand and heart.
Phoebe made no reply and a long
pause followed while Jonathan gazed
with something like devotion at the
girl before him.
1.-THE reason why I wanted to take
YOU" he began at length, with drawl,
was because of that wager I made
with Craig Taylor"
What Wager?" asked the girl, sud-
denly alert.
"oh. I guess it wouldn't interest
YOU" said Jonathan rising. I'D bet
ter be going now"
The girl, whose curiosity was thor
oughly aroused, barred the way to the
door. Tell me what wager you have
with Craig" she demanded in the
most pleading tones. Please tell
me-
ooh. it wasn't much of a wager"
said Jonathan slowly. 1T guess
shouldn't have said anything about it.
But Phoebe persisted.
."Oh, welI.'' said Jonathan. at last,
treaty. you see I bet Craig that
could take you to that dance. and he
bet that he could. That was more or
less the reason why I asked you to
marry me. SOS to sort of cinch the
matter"
Phoebe looked at him with perpIex-
ity.
'.Oh, it isn't any great matter" said
Jonathan. II hate to lose the money
just now. but then ought to have
known enough not to take such risks.
I never did like to bet on a sure thing,
though, somehow"
Phoebe's cheeks were scarlet. and
as she stood before him, holding the
door. Jonathan could feel the anger
that had risen within her.
did Craig Taylor dare to take up
that Wager?" she asked.
Yes said Jonathan deliberately,
watching: her closely.
For another minute Phoebe still
held the door closed Then, as she
opened it, she said with apparent tran
Quillity:
Say. Jonathan. if you want me to
go to the Kingsley's barn dance with
you, I would just as Soon."
So on the evening of the annual
barn dance at the Kingsley farm,
Phoebe dressed in her most bewitch-
ing frock, with a black ribbon at her
throat to set off the pinkest and fair
est of cheeks. and a rose in her hair
to add to its dark luster. She was
ready and waiting, wrapped well for
the cold drive. when Jonathan came.
and she stepped eagerly into the
buggy beside him.
"Oh, do hurry" she begged, as her
little foot tattooed on the floor of the
buggy in anticipation of the dancing
she loved. ST can't hardly wait. and
yet you go so dreadfully SLOW
within him as he realized that it was
in his power to make her impatient
the girl who kept him in a mood of
perpetual Impotence.
His pleasure he knew would end
when the drive was over. not to be
gin again until he had her once more
tucked warmly beside him to ride
alone with her through the cold early
morning. Dances were to him. at
best, a bore, and since he had loved
of torment-a torment of unreason-
able jealousy. to be endured only that
he might dance with her once, or. if
she were gracious, twice.
JOlldLlldn SLdlhCo Ol1lO Lie uOOT VI
the Kingsley barn with a sense of
momentary triumph. At his side
beamed Phoebe, whose tickle heart,
Jonathan was sure. had at some time
worked havoc with well nigh every
man there. His eye caught the self
satisfied smile of the city-bred Craig
Taylor, whose recent friendship with
Phoebe had filled Jonathan with mad
dening jealousy.
"Oh, hello, Phoebe said Craig,
fn
slightly to Jonathan. Then as he light
ly paid Phoebe a pretty compliment
Jonathan was no longer able to dis
guise his ill temper. So Phoebe. with
no other thought than to tease Jona-
than, smiled adoringly at Craig. The
intoxication of the fiddles and Craig
Taylors easy, bantering manner led
her on; and while Phoebe, radiant and
dazzling, danced and laughed at her
hearts content. Jonathan sat watch
ing in complete misery.
But when the last dance came and
the lights had begun to burn low and
lesser beauties than Phoebe had begun
to droop, Jonathan's spirits began to
rise in anticipation of the joy of seeing
Phoebe home. He had taken his bug
gy from the shed and stood waiting
for her. when all at once he heard her
laugh and at the same instant realized
that she was with Craig Taylor. get
ting into Craig Taylor's buggy.
8Hello. Jonathan" called one of the
men, with a laugh, thought you were
going to take Phoebe home"
One of the girls suppressed gig
gle and for a minute Jonathan had
great desire to fight every one. His
next thought was of overtaking Craig.
laying him fiat and carrying off the
girl he loved. Instead. Jonathan slow
" swung into his buggy and drove
thoughtfully through the crisp morn
ing air.
1t was few days later. on Sunday
afternoon, and Jonathan again sat in
who, as usual, sat upright on the hair
sofa. He had not seen her since the
memorable dance and Phoebe expect
ed to be scolded.
II say, Phoebe" Jonathan said at
length, perhaps you'd like to go out
sleighing with me-out to the lake.
It's great sleighinR.''