The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-23
THE EVENING STORY
Judge Varney's announcement.
(By Agnes Booth.

| O0Al6T r dlET101O QuSnGQ open the
| door of Judge Varney's Office. closed
it again quickly. and scanned the
signs on the outside. his face per-
picked and his broad shoulders ele-
waited doubtfully
After a little hesitation he again
opened the door and hurried through
the outer office to the judges pri-
vate room. Within this shelter. he
chair.
Thought I'd struck the wrong
trail" he gasped, when opened the
door and saw that bunch. Your
business must have increased amaz-
ingly, Varney!'
Ibid they gaze admiringly at you P"
the judge asked quizzically.
Great Heavens! 1 don't know.
didn't even dare look at them; I
| was never so scared before! Why,
the room seemed full of girls-hun-
dreds of 'emi"
Judge varney laughed softly.
There are only six
But can't you see that I'm weak
| actually fainting from the shock? Six
pretty girls"
"You said you didn't look at
them," the judge interposed.
ST didn't. but after seven years in
me about Them
The judges keen gray eyes SPAR
! killed. humorously. well. I hope I've
, secured a years supply of stenogra-
phers.''
st see: laying in a stock against a
time of need" approved Fairfield. "a
good scheme, judge"
ST can't keep one more than a
couple of months. Miss Allen left last
week."
Jimmy Drayton, the lucky man %
Yes. I've determined not to be
left alone NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to
write a letter."
Fairfield nodded with a commiser-
ating glance at the empty right sleeve
of his friend.
80 I wrote to my sister in Kansas
City to engage some StenographerS for
me. Bess has really a most remark
able talent for analysing character.
I need no reference if they pass her
inspection"
Miss Elizabeth Varney-
But, Varney, six! How can
you"
Now. Fairfield the judge inter
to your ranch I don't ask embarrass-
ing questions about the number of
herders you employ
''Oh, 1 beg your pardon
ITO be perfectly honest, I'm acting
partly for your benefit. I've had some
nice girls here and you never once
tried to win favor with any Of them.
thought you might be less bashful
less like a petrified clam If there
were several together
"I see. safety in number Is this
why you sent for me? You're very
good to encourage me in this way,
hood" Fairfield sighed mockinly.
you deserve to be-" his friend
ten single men to one single woman
and it's not fair to the state. Go
back East and bring wife. home with
you
Fairfield's tanned face grew grave.
''There was once a girl he began
hesitatingly.
"And there are plenty more" added
the Judge unfeelingly.
'.Not for me. That's why I am a
bachelor
Did she marry the other MANI"
81 don't know. She was too young
most boys are-and my folly cost me
my place in a college and
suspended ?" oueried the older
man. ST was 'vaccinated' for three
mo- answered the other doggedly,
mot suspended. Expelled. fired
kicked out!'
rest of your life" the judge sug-
ut cost me also-homs and-and
name! I was given $500 and told to
go West-and diet"
part of the advice was good-you
II followed it all. That boy died,
all right
you've lived-like a man! I've
known you seven years. About nine
teen. were you, when"
when I played fool? Twenty.
I've never touched a drop of liquor
since, Judge Varney!"
fAnd the grip
"She was the daughter of one of
the professors. Seventeen then. and
I know. now that I'm older. that she
cared for me. But I was an 'unde-
sirable' from the first and I never
had a second alone with her-she
was so Internally we'll chaperoned!
Her mother meant her to make
great match. The girl gave promise
of wonderful beauty. and for some
reason the professor hated me as the
devil hates holy water"
''M-m," murmured the judge
thoughtfully, Il think can account for
your expulsion"
st was as proud as 1 was foolish.
I made no attempt at justification;
it's past and gone! Let the dead past
bury its dead"
.sThat's right" the Judge agreed
heartily. you've shown your worth
withdrawing the game of life like
a man. You've made good with the
money you were told to die on You'll
be rich man before you are forty.
Now if you'd only forget that
girl
Fairfield raised an impatient in
terrupting hand. you mean. well,
Varney. and I'm not wearing my heart
where the davis can get at 1t. but
theren never be another girl for me-
knew it when I was boy. I know
Suppose" unused the judge in a
voice of unwonted Eentleness, Sup
pose you were to meet her again.