The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-14
THE EVENING Story
FIavIa's Lullaby.
BY Dorothy Douglas

on the subject? ?"
Eric Hope turned deliberately and
faced the girl who had remained silent
during the discussion. For second
she met the cold blue eyes Of his, and
then said. not defiantly, but calmly and
with a lust sense of having reasoned
her words:
.Children are very wonderful-but 1
think they are by no means the only
blessing in the world. nor do consider
them essential to the complete happi-
ness of a man and a woman"
Flavia's cool, undisturbed glance
rested for a moment on Eric Hopes
face. He returned the look steadily
then replied with a short laugh:
ut is rather unfair to judge all
happiness from your own International
standpoint
A deep flush mounted Flavia's face.
For a second it SEEM ed to the dinner
guests that an open battle was I'M
minent They waited for Flavia to
speak.
A low ripple of mockery preceded
her answer. How absurd of you to
suppose, Mr.. Hope, that I would judge
that question from my own stand
point She laughed unrestrainedly
and swept in the circle of guests with
an affectiOnate smile. EVERY one
here knows that my voice is my child
my love and my world; it gives pleas
ure to my friends, infinite JOY to my
self, and" she paused and f1nisned
half seriously=''what child, no mat
ter how wonderful. could do more?'
A short silence followed her words.
Tom Nicholson's voice broke it.
Hear. hearI' he cried. 4 think
you've hit the nail pretty nearly on
the head. Flavia-"
TONI" Connie Nicholson flashed an
indignant glance at the father of
my dearest Connie" put in Nichol-
olson, quickly, Il referred only to
Flavias particularly unique happiness
Why, that fragment of humanity IN
the clothes basket upstairs was the
saving straw to our Domestic
Toni
Eric Hope laughed aloud.
you've put both feet in it now,
he said
Suddenly a blank look overspread
Tom NichoIson's face. THAT reminds
me- Connie; who is going to stay with
Thomas, Jr., tonight? Nurse won't
be back until tom and promised
Drake we'd be over.
A flash of happiness lighted up
Comics face, then died away with
"I'll have to call up Edna and tell
her we-or rather I-can't come she
said bravely.
crowd growled her husband. Cant
you tie the clothes basket on the back
of the carriage and take him along
"And bump my precious boy over
ten miles of rocky road at O'Clock IN |
the morning! Besides, it's basinette
not a clothes basket"
This makes the seventh dance we've |
missed on account of that-nurse
finished Tom, 1amely.
Flavia laughed. why don't you say /
baby when IT'S on the tip of your
tongue?" She dared not meet the blue |
ewes of Hope Something told her that |
he was not approaching the humor OF
the situation.
are so blunt"
s.Not blunt returned Flavia-
sensible And I am going to be even
more sensible and offer to stay with
the baby I don't care a thing about
dancing. and besides" she went on
pleasure. Il have a new book of bal
lads
s'But it is such a sacrifice" put in
Connie, hopefully
.'Sacrifice?" came the clear voice of
Hone. eve all heard Miss Ransom
saw that her music constituted her
world-in that case she is merely hid
ing her desire to be rid of US" There
was a tinge of bitterness underlying
his words 'I hope, Miss Ransom. that
YOUR voice-child will never call forth
a sacrifice
"A child of spirit can scarcely do
that Flavia flung her retort at him
half in mockery and half in pain; his
words had penetrated beneath the out
er calm. Il
laughed Tom Nicholson
1--WE do" Eric Hope spoke while he
lighted a cigar and held Flavia's eyes
the smoke.
An hour later Flavia stood out on +;
the wide veranda and watched the
others depart It was an exquisite
night. She rather envied
them the ten-miIe drive !
At hate to leave you all alone" said
Connie.
ST am supremely happy" whispered
Flavia, "and unafraid." Il
AS they drove off down the lane of
e1ms they heard the rich bel canto
tones of Flavia singing an aria from
Faust
ssShe certainly loves her music,
laughed Nicholson.
ut is everything in the world to
her" chimed in CoHnie.
ssIs it?" unused Hope.
FIavia remained at the piano until
the clock struck IL. The old servant
had long since retired and F7avia step
ned out for a breath of cool air be-
fore going upstairs.
persistent rain had begun to fall
FIavia hoped 1t would stop before the
nartx returned. She went UP to the
nursery and peeped at the sleeping
child For a long time she stood gaz-
ing at him with unseeing eyes then she
turned away and slowly went to her
room
There was a strage brooding look
n her eyes and when she had braided
her hair in two long plaits she stole a
7uick glance at her reflection Then
She covered her face with both hands
to hide what she had seen there. Her
face grew hot and she stood for a long
lime before the open window watching
the storm break over the night Then
she slipped again to the side of thel