The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-04
THE EVENING STORY
Her Cowboy.
IBx Philip Kean.1

Meredith frOWned. L don't like the
idea he said, "of his pursuing you
least"
ITO love me?"
You know I cont mean that. But
to run after you. Why, it will make
you conspicuous, Vie
mo, he never goes as far as that"
Victor ia said, meditatively. You take
him at this moment He is in the far
corner of the room. ordering his dinner
and a very good dinner he knows how
to order-ard keeping his eyes TO him.
self
How do you know he orders a good
dinner?" Meredith demanded.
I've eaten one or two
''When?"
while you were away. Oh, Philip,
don't look like such a thundercloud.
Why shouldn't I eat dinners with 9TH
er people while you are away?"
But a cowboy like that-did you
see his hat, Victorian
IT like his hat Victoria stated; lit
looks nice and wild and western. He's
so proud of being from the coast that
he wants everybody to know it, and his
sonlbrero is the sign and seal thereof"
You seem to like good many
things about him. Meredith's tone
was jealous. you've evidently made
some progress in your friendship with
him since 1 left town.
We've had some funny times togeth-
er-some awfully good times, too. He
piored all the bride paths in the parks.
He rides like a centaur-"
And I don't ride. It's his horse
against my automobile, eh?"
NO" she shook her head. II don't
think of you two men that way. at
ALL
How do you think of us?"
Shall tell your
Yes. Go ahead"
well. it's like this" she leaned her
elbows on the table and stared at him
with unseeing eyes. when you went
away you were a very good friend of
mine. You told me that you liked me
very much-that you desired my
friendship-my friendship" she en-
phasized the word. you have been
gone six months, and in all that time
you have written me five letters. In
eoch of them you told me of the good
times you were having; that you'd be
glad to see me when you returned;
that I mustn't forget that the first
day you came to town we were to
have dinner together here-and now
we're having it," she smiled at him
brightly; '-and the oysters and soup
and birds were delicious, and the salad
and sweets and coffee will be worthy
successors to that which has come be-
fore And when we have eaten the
dinner you will take me home in your
lovely car. and at the door you will
say, It's been great, Vic-we'n go
again-good-bye And some day we
will go again. and you'll say the same
thing-and on and on-until you get
tired-and go away for good"
''Why, Vic." he looked at her sharp
ly. whats the matter with you?"
We'll, you wanted to know how 1
think of you and of Colin Scott off
there in the corner"
"CoIin came into my life just after
you left. And he fell in love with me-
other men have fallen in love with
me, but this was different. Without |
any encouragement on my part he has |
taken upon himself a guardianship |
that might be irritating were it not so |
comforting. For so many years I have |
had to struggle on alone-unprotect- |
ed-and you don't know how often my |
heart has been in my mouth, when I |
have gne home late from rehearsals, |
or from the music studio. Women |
who sing seem to belong to the pub
lie, and 1 got used to being stared at, |
but I could never quite accustom my
self to late hours alone in street cars
and in subways. And since Colin
Scott came into my life I have never
been alone. In the most unobtrusive
way he keeps guard over me. When
1 come hurriedly into a subway sta
ton I am sure to find him just ahead
or just behind me. Often he doesn't
join me- He just mods from the dis
tance, but 1 know he is keeping mein
sight. And when I get to my destl-
nation LneES Will ne the SpdIk u his
cigar glowing somewhere in the shad-
owy streets. and know I am as safe
as a child in is mothers arms"
She caught her breath quickly and
went on. And in spite of myself,
Philip, I like it. There was a rainy
night when I was wet and tired, and
when I reached my room-you know
what a dismal place 1t is, high up in
that old boarding house, found
big square hamper waiting for me,
and in it was a hot supper-Oysters
steaming in a silver pitcher, broiled
birds, a little pot of coffee. oh. 1
can't tell you half the thoughtful
things he has done, and with it all he
has never presumed, has never made
me feel that I am accepting too
much
Are you in love with him ?" sharp
".
I'm not sure slowly. IF love
means that life would be dreary with
out the thought of his tender care
then I love him."
you've idealized him. Meredith
tional, different from the other men
you have met. so you have dubbed
him your Knight of the Swan, or
something of that sort-but you'll tire
Of that sort of thing soon, Victoria"
mo, I sha'n't." ,
you viii. You needn't think I'm !
going to let you 60 little while
ago you spoke of my friendship Do ,
you think I'm going to stop at that,
Vic2 I've always intended to ask
you to marry me some day
She laughed When you were !
nave let me struggle on, not caring
how heavily my burdens pressed i
upon me, not even caring to have me l