The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-10
TIE EVENING STORY
AVIS.
by Kate Cleves. ]

noonlit veranda and looked around
AZ the occupied chairs. silva Smith
was nowhere to be seen and an anus
ca voice nearby proclaimed MarshalTs
predican-ent
She's in the angle seat, Marsh"
and Marshall acknowledged the info.-
nation With a sheepish grin and dis
appeared around the corner of the
| house.
The informing voice had not added
tnat Fen Purdy was sitting in the
angle seat with pretty silva Smith
ana When Marshall discovered Mr..
Purdy 1t was something of a shock.
for Marshall Bowman needed advice
and sympathy at that moment ana
| turned when his affairs needed a sym
pathetic understanding and untang-
ling.
Fen Purdy was leaving her. -eluct-
antly pleading a waiting partner for
this dance and Marshall slipped into
| the vacant seat.
My dance I believe, silva he said
eagerly. DO you mind sitting il out?''
FRANKLY, I'd much rather Dance"
said silva in her fresh, clear voice,
but l know you've got something on
your mind. Marsh. and you want ex-
pert advice, so out with it and let the
seeress relieve your anxiety
For the last time, silva" he apollo
! gized; I won't bother you again with
my affairs, only you see, this is some
thing that no enc but girl can tell
me-a girl like you!'
'Oh, sec4' said silva a little cold
| ~, then,as she saw the troubled look
! on his face her voice softened to the
tone that always thrilled him, so full
| of womanly sympathy and understand
ing of him was Il. I'm always glad
to help, Marsh. but you know I'm only
a girl and l haven't had experience
enough to make me an expert on all
matters
I'm in love. siva," he said in a
low tone, and looking away from her.
Don't Taught!
I'm not laughing" said silva after
little cause. Love is serious thing.
That's what troubles ne. If I only
helplessly.
better tell me all about it," said
silva in a tcneless voice, that he was
quick to notice.
I am boring you'll" he cried.
''No-no-go on. Marsh she said
almost impatiently. I'm engaged for
the next dance and you must get this
ever now Who is the girl?"
I don't know" admitted Marshall.
Don't know" echoed silva
He shook his head ruefully. I've
never met her and don't know her
real name, but I'm sure-dead sure
silva, that she is my future wife, that
she is the one being who has been
created for me. In fact, to use that
overworked word she is my affinity.
WHY, every word she writes is a direct
message to me alone. 1t finds its mark
here in my heart. Don't laugh, silva, !
I've never talked this way before and
1 know you think I'm FOOL he ended |
lamely.
''Nthing IF the sort, Marsh-Tell me |
more-does she write to you?"
Novel, she writes poems and |
they published in enc of the mag |
azines not one that 1 usually take |
but I haDpe1ed to read one some months
ago and do yor know, silva, it struck |
an answering chord IN my heart and |
I've read every one since then.
Yes Marsh said silva steadily. |
although her eyes were shining strange
Iy and hcr little white ringless hands
were tightly Glen he'd in her lap.
That's all-onIy tell me how can
l meet ler?'' he asked.
You would probably be disapDoint-
ed" she said pityingly. Very likely
she is scme middle-aEed woman, who
is pouring out her disappointment in
life through the medium of poetry. Ev-
cry soul has to have some outlet she
ended nusingly.
''Never!" protested Marshall vigor
spring of life. The same fire runs in
her veins as in mine, and 1 know,
silva, that she is for me-her messages
are for mel"
"Conceited!" said silva. rising from
her seat and leaning against vine
draped pillar with her back to the
moonlight.
"Oh, silva, I am disappointed in you"
i
low some advice instead of treating
me fiippantIy. You must know I'm
rot gushing-I don't mean to be-
Forgive me. Marsh said silva qui-
city, You want to ask me how to
approach the sort of a girl you know
she is?'
THAT'S it. exactly. She writes ur
der & single name, Avis. but she
have a home somewhere. and I want
to meet her and some day marry
you are in earnest. Marshall?" ask
ed silva in a shaking voice.
II am he said solemnly.
Then I will arrange it SO you can
meet Avis-and I hope yGn won't be
disappointed, but I'm afraid you will
dance. 1 must CO.
.Ah, but you're q brick, Siva-the
next dance is mine, and Well dance
it, Ell, not sit it out?"
las you please" murmured silva
and was gone.
Marshall arose and went to one of
the open windows leaning against the
frame and looking in on the dancers. |
Now that he bad intrusted his secret
to silva Smith, he felt that there was
more reality to it than the mere dream
ing of the identity Of the poetess whose
verses had won his love.
Strangely cortented, he watched the
pretty scene within, glowing every
time silva Smith passed him, Fen Pur-
RS , bld-k SASSNS against liz S~A4S l'Ai-fA /
of her gown. Siva's hair was bronze
brown with golden lights and her eyes {
were the same and her face was beau
tiful-surpassingly lovely tonight, with 5
her Iipes curved into happy smile and
her bro IN eyes shining with inward {
joE.
All at once Marshall was jealous of z
Fen Purdy, who had fallen helplessly
in love with silva. Purdy was rich and
handsome and silva was so desirable!
Why had Marshall never thought OF
hat before? BY the time the dance