The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-27
THE EVENING STORY
A Man, a Maid and Two Minds.
BY Susanna GIenn.)


The man leaned his head back
against the clasped hands and gazed |
long at the maid. He looked very big |
and easy and comfortable, with a GER |
| tain clearness in his face that inspired |
confidence.
an outward elaborate calmness belied |
by the light in her eyes and the color |
| in her cheeks.
Dear girl" said the man at last, |
why do you not make up your mind
| to marry me?"
us it not tiresome?" answered the
maid. Il think I prefer the weather
| as a continuous topic for conversation!
when you do speak, it is always on this
same impossible subject"
Because it is the only one upon
which can think when 1 am with-or
at any time! Why do you not answer
me? You always evade! When you
will answer my questions, 1 will not
| trouble you any longer"
What is it you wish to known" she
asked.
"Why you will not marry me- Why
past weeks. You used to care-you
cannot deny it! Now. you are cool and
sharp and-distant!'
"a most delightful description of an
object SO ardently adoredv' she said,
crisply.
'See, you do evadeI I really wish to
know so you need not be afraid OF
hurting me. What is there that makes
this so impossible between u.s."
The maid looked down at him crit
icalIy.
I'VE should not be happy-we are not
suited to each other!'
"Why?" he persisted.
you love ease and comfort; love
activity You have always had your
self alone to consider; have spent my
life thinking of others. 1 should weary
you, and you would exasperate me- =. we
are much better apart, my friend!
You honestly believe that? why
you simply justify the step-you would
kill my loneliness and selhshness;
would be a balance wheel to the en-
thusiasm that is continually undermln-
ing your strength! That will not do FOR
an answer. Will you tell me that you
| no longer care! , =
, THAT seems superf1uous after all l
have told you" she murmured evenly:
The man rose moved out Of his usual
"Goodyby." he said, gently.
I'VE are parting friends?" she asked,
kindly.
, after while; just now it seems poor
sort of thing to offer me-"
In the weeks that followed there was
= little outward change in the man,
5 though ne pondered deeply. What was
! this shadow that had come between the
maid and him? Never in his lie mao
he been so happy as he had been this
summer until the advent of the incap-
; able mother and sister upon whom the
maid lavished her young life brougn'
the beginning of the end.
And the maid, watching him fur-
lively, goaded her pride with his IN
! difference; her mother had been right
he cared for nothing but himself. She
y ought 20 be happy that she had found
II ont in time And she renewed heI
devotion to the loved ones to whom she
meant SO much.
A night journey alone in the Joltlns
, local train was very distasteful-eveI
j a little fearful-to the maid, but II
seemed advisable that she go ahead tc
lave everything prepared for the re-
ception of her mother and sister Wher
: | thew should return home from this out
: ing that meant merely a pleasant rec
: reation to them, and so much misery
: to her! Just what this return to the
old life would be she dared not consid-
n err; he might not be deserving, yet hel
: heart ached under its jaunty garment
- of pride.
Nervonsly she dismissed the cabman
and FASTENED into the bright, crowded
station. A feeling of utter Loneliness
enveloped her. and she could hardl,
Y suppress a cry of joy at sight of a tai
$ figure standing protectingly beside her
2 you are going alone tonight? p
9 asked the man little sharply.
/ cit seems necessary. and 1 am per
x fectly safe" she answered with {
e calmness she was far from feeling.
Is Necessary? Well. shall at leas
4 put you safely in your train. Comet"
h She followed meekly 1t was nev
+ experience to have her baggage at
/ tended to as if by magic, and 10 b.
- looked after in this highhanded man
l. ner. 1t was several minutes before sh
1T realized that he was still sitting besid
her and that the train was moving rap
lie idly.
" At her look of astonishment, h
If smiled reassuringly, and covered he
IS hand protectingly with his own
i'd Did you think 1 ought to let you g
er like this? I still have a great deal t
I'd say to you. 1 am going to sit her
Or quietly, and 1 want you to think 1t a.
< over honestly and fairly to both of US
IN then we will talk about it.
K Suddenly the maid felt her resolu
S. ton weakening. She was tired of tax
a. ing the lead in everything, and thi
lit feeling of being cared for brough
tie tsuch peace and happiness she want
ed with all her heart to be loved Sh
was tired of the war she was wagin
ID against her feelings for this man, VIII
could be so charming even while so IN
deserving. But the mother and tn
sister, who depended upon her so com
a pletely!
"Don't you think" said the man q
" if in answer to her thoughts 'ths
If it is time they began doing somethin
for themselves? We need each otht
: dear, you cannot deny it. and they wi
~. lbe really better and stronger II left I
'A their own resources. Look at me-.
She raised her eyes breathlessly, bl
Is the tenderness in his face changed I
ot a look of horror as the car careene
with a grinding sound; then the lighl
e- went out leaving them in terr1b
ms darkness. Through the frightened me-
in ments that followed, filled with II
inn splintering and crashing OF Wooc an
lglass, and the hoarse. agonized cries