The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-27
THE EVENING STORY
The Girl From Home.
(By Stacy E. Bakery

(By Stacy E. Bakery
William F. Mason, esquire, was am
bilious. In early youth he left his
home town for the city, where his VEN
eer of country greenness gradually
wore away-and with it the heart
pang that came when memory swung
before him a picture of Faith Darrow,
Who, back where the grass was green,
prayed for his success, waiting anX-
iously for letters.
William F. Mason meant to make
something of his life. His goal was
ahead, not behind. The slim maid,
SO appropriately named Faith, was and
always would be his ideal of beauty
but Mason couldn't analyze his feel
ings. He knew. after the Unsuitable
city had gained it's favorite throat
hold, that the girl back home could
never fit into his scheme of things.
Mason was broad-shouldered fell
low and his keen, gray eyes had a
habit of staring into the Elusive orbs
of opportunity, allowing their owner
to avail himself of what secrets he
saw therein. Mason was a student of
men, and conditions as men make
them. Chance took him first into a
business office in Wall street. The
brokerage business appealed to him.
Eight years afterward he was quoted
a millionaire and owned his seat on
little maid still waited.
The winter of the panic was a
notable one. Men with the Midas
touch found their power waning and
their accumulated treasures turning
to dross Stocks deprecated and
money vanished alike into the socks
of the frightened farmers and the
strong boxes of the bankers. Through
! it all, Mason-now known as wiz
ard Mason-was cool and collected.
If his fortunes were on the wane he
was stoically calm through the siren
uous shrinking process. No one heard
him complain.
Miss Margaret Wendall was the
daughter of Wallace Wendall. Ameri-
cas- champion heavyweight financier.
She was also the fancee of Mason,
| Miss Wendall was a stately bru-
nette, with any natural fire or affec-
ton long since toned out of her by a
calculating mamma. Now, in the stress
of strenuous conditions, the girl vain
| ly strove to solve the enigma of Ma
sons calmness. To her eyes his
straight broad shoulders were carried
as proudly erect as heretofore and his
manner was as forceful and compell-
ing as ever. And yet all this might be
the thin coverlet of failure. Wall
street was topsy-turvey, millionaires
were the marks picked by the sharp
shooters of Fate. Miss Wendall wait
must be given his freedom; Margaret
wendalI must be mistress of millions.
Mason was worried. His affairs were
| in a precarious condition, and much of
his money was invested in shrinking
securities 1t all depended upon the
markets ability to right itself within
reasonable time. His face was a
mask He knew what the conse-
uuences would be if he showed fear
for the future in the presence of his
fiancee He did not expect love. He
knew that the nuptials to be celebrat-
ed in the spring were not the fru1t1on
of Cupid's philanderings.
Head down, Mason, crossing lower
Broadway one bleak December day,
was given another shock. A light
hand was laid on his arm as he touch
| ed the curb, and he Extraordinarily
raised his eyes to stare into the race
of-Faith barrow!
| 3You!' Impulsively the explana-
ton burst from his surprise-parted
| lips. -,
"Then you haven't forgotten me?'
iDimples, long absent, flashed for an
| instant at the corners of her curving
sYou know that I haven't he re-
preached. ''But-but what in the
world are you doing here? I can't
associate you with the city. always
| think of you as-as the fairest flower
in Cola"
"StiIl the same reckless fatterer."
Mason eyed her analytically. He
noted, too, with an inexplicable sense
of loss, that she took this chance
meeting Iightly-too lightly for one
who had ever cared. He had more
than half imagined that this girl was
waiting for him to come back and
marry her.
"You are stopping in the city,"
There was a half resentful touch to
the words.
80 my, yes. I have been here al
most a year"
/ Living hre?''
"Didn't you know? Papa has out
grown Cola He is now the partner
of Uncle William in a small tile man
ufactory in Haverstraw. We live in
the city"
His eyes appreciatively summed up
1.-THE fashionable coat, the expensive
lfurs. the modish hat. Truly, she was
la changed Faith.
ct am glad to hear that you have
lprospered.''
The girl laughed.
ST hear that you are one of the little
gods of Wall street" she quizzed.
WAS" he corrected simply.
A sudden look of concern crept into
the eyes of the girl. This money
panic is hurting you, then 2"
ST am just struggling along with
my head above water. 1t Will be
| miracle IL L QOn 81 OCAOA
1.-THE week is over" He raised his eyes
Ito those of the girl and noted with q
peculiar feeling of loss that his con-
lfession had not even seemed to hold
Iher interest She was looking beyond
him, the slight smile curying her lips
your fiancee?" she asked softly
I"'Does she know of this?"
Mason started. The girl from home
knew much about him for one who
seemed little interested. Then sud-
Idenly he remembered that the papers
HAD heeu fuI1 of his aDDrOachinR nuD-