The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-05
The EVENING STORY
Marjorie and the Moon.
(By Edith S. Speedy

| 1t is no use asking mother. She
VIII not give her consent" whispered
MARJORIE as they stood together in the
summer house. "She insists that I
| wait at least eight years before I
marry"
Philip Drayton smiled down at her
earnest little face.
But your mother was only twenty
when she was married. he said.
Yes. I know. Phil; but she says I
am too young
=! Then We shall have to elope."
give me-"
"Oh. yes she would; she would be
angry for little while; but would soon
make up. I can't wait eight years for
home and you, Marjorie he plead
ed: Leave it to me and everything
will be all right"
| But, Phil, is there no other way?"
| Il am afraid not he answered. at
will have my boat at the landing to-
morrow night and we will cross the
bay to Willow Point, where the min
lister will marry u.s."
| "Oh, won't it be romantic!" said
Marjorie. 'It will be moonlight and
white hat with the pink roses that you
like SO wel1.''
The moonlight shining through the
vines brought out the gold lights in
that lay in Phils sparkled a little
ring. He reverently kissed her.
81 wish your mother could attend
your wedding" he continued after a
silence, but she will not consent. and
eight years is too long to watt
| All the next day Marjorie Brant
sang as she worked. Upstairs. on her
bed, lay the white dress and white
| hat. In the closet was the suit case
with her dainty belongings, packed
for the first time without her moth
er's supervision. Now and then she
ran up and tried on the hat, laugh
| ing at herself in the mirror and pic
turing Phils face when he should
see her.
eff you are going upstairs again."
her mother called from the kitchen,
will you close the windows? There
| is a cloud in the west, which means
wind
| But Marjorie, excitedly combing out
| her curls in preparation for the we'd
ding couture, forgot the Injunction un-
| til the Tapping of the curtains brought
| her out of her dreams.
did you shut the windows?' her
mother called to her.
mo, but I WILL answered the girl.
Marjorie could hear the roar Of the
knew that they could not cross the
bay that night. She slowly contin-
ued her dressing, wondering how they
would get to Willow Point.
She helped her mother with din
ner, but ate little.
Don't you feel well?" asked her
father.
'I am all right, but I am not hun
gry,'' she replied.
Marjorie was to meet Phil at 8
o'clock. At 1880 she went upstairs. In
the darkness she pressed her face
against the window. She could see
nothing; the moon was hidden be-
hind the clouds.
Wrapping a shawl about her, she
stealthily descended the stairs and
went out by the side door. Her light
figure bent to the wind as she sped
down the path.
Then she felt his arms about her.
"Where is your bag?" he asked. 1--WE
can't go in q boat. SO we will drive.
I have brought blankets; you won't
be cold
Marjorie slipped out of his arms.
ct haven't any bag. I am not go
ing :N Phi ro,ne,, he exclaimed. ..why
not?'
ooh, I couldn't go on such a night. |
Whoever heard of running away and
getting married on dark night?"
what has the weather to do with
our happiness?" he asked gently. |
Don't you love me, Marjorie ?'
yes" she whispered, then faltering- !
ly continued. ut was all going to be
be so beautiful the moonlight and the |
water-and now there isn't any moon.
When it grew so dark and windy, I
felt that even the elements were |
against us and I was not doing the
right thing-running away from par
ents who have been so kind: SO I
came out to tell you. Oh, Phil she
sobbed, ssI don't know what to do
my poor little girl he said. 'T
don't believe I should run away with |
you. I am going into the house to ask |
your father and mother to let me mar
ry .. YOU;
"I can't go home without knowing
something certain. Come"
AS the o two epe feber ane
mother started at them in establishment |
The girl, cold and wind blown, slipped |
into a chair. Phil walked up to the |
table.
"sit down, won't you?" asked Mr..
Brant, hesitating, as he looked at the |
young mans stern face.
mo" said Phil, "I'll stand. Mar
jorie and I were going to run away"
and her husbands fist came down on
the table heavily. But as Phil told of
his love, the older man gazed at him
intently, visions if his own youth and
courtship stirring him deeply. When
Phil had finished, he said:
81 understand that if it had not
been windy tonight and Marjorie had
not thought it was wrong you would
have run away?"
ct think so.''
"And what them"
The young mans gaze met that of
the older mans squarely.
ST should have taken care of her
and kept her safe. I love her.
He was very earnest. The father
seemed stirred by his uprightness and
he turned to his wife. well, mother %
at is out of the question: she
fared. Marjorie is only twenty.
shall not let her get married for eight
years.
"Oh, motheri"
Eyes, and by then, Marjorie, you
will know your own mind"
81 do know it, pleaded the girl.
"You were married when you were
twenty
yes; but I was older. You are