The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-13
THE EVENING STORY
Cupid's Veteran.
(By fzola Forester. }


hand stroklng his gray beard
''I cannot see for the life Of me
why you object to her.
IT do not object to the lady at all,
my boy" rejoined the major warmly
''She is superb, but I do object to a
son of mine acting in this dashed calf
manner. Winona Grayson is not the
wife for a lad fresh from college, and
callow as fresh picked tobacco leaf,
by George, sir! You should be dane
ing with debutantes for ten years yet
before you dare to ask woman like
that to even consider you, Jack
Il have asked her." Jack spoke
moodily.
The major drew in a long Whit
from his cigar before he took the chal-
lenge.
''Told you about the same as have,
didn't she?'
"she told me to ask my father"
Two little high lights of appreciation
cleaned in the majors eyes.
NJ"
"Oh, say. dad. be decent. I want
her"
You want her as the most perfect
embodiment of your ideal that has
be trailing like a six months hound
on a newer scent. Jack, you pack your
suitcase, take nice clean collar or so
along, and hit the trail for anywhere
|
II won't go until she has given me
final answer"
The major rose reluctantly. He was
taller than his son, and handsomer at
forty-f1ve than Jack was at twenty.
II see the pongee parasol in the dis
tance, and will take the hint, lad You
catch the 10 o'clock boat for Charles
ton and slip North awhile I will wire
you results. Distance may give you a
halo, Jack, who knows?"
The majors. shoulders lifted with
laughter as he strobe after the pongee
parasol. 1t sheltered a slender, still
girlish figure clad in ecru Irish lace
and pongee silk, and the major felt a
sudden and unaccountable throbbing
of his heart as he looked down into
Mrs. Grayson's piquant face. She was
more than lovely. Born in New Or
leans of thoroughbred southern stock,
she ran clear to type, as the major
would have expressed it. DuSxy brown
hair curled loosely about her oval face.
Her eyes were gray, changeable as the
sea with shadows darkening the lids.
There was a curiously dusky glow to
her complexion. like the warm tone to
a peach or a cream-Wh1te rose. The
major looked from her eyes to her
lips, then at the band of coral and red
velvet about her throat and he sighed.
They strolled down to the sea prom
enade below the hotel and found her
favorite seat, a stone one beneath
cluster of young palms. The major
forgot his caution.
Jack told me-" he said abruptly.
''I told him to go away for a while"
"You will make him a laggard in
love like his father" She smiled out
at the sunlit morning sea.
The major moved uncomfortably
around.
"A man must go where he is sent"
"a brave nan takes his own when
he finds it,
"By GeorgeI I'd like to see the man
who could take you unless you gave
in your hands ten years ago, and you
sent me away"
She shot a feeting glance at him
from underneath her long dark lashes
and smiled still.
"Was I to trail at your heels as a
war trophy?"
"Jack refuses to go when he is
sent"
Grayson, but the lads fool''
He's a dear, dear boy"
The major glanced at her and sighed
thoughtfully.
HE needs a-mother.''
ITO guard him against the wiles of
widows, major %
''Winona, why didn't you marry me
ten years ago when I asked you to?''
demanded the major.
You were too cautious of your per-
sonal dignity, major, altogether too
over a futile engagement, laughed
Mrs Grayson.
st have never married again." re-
torted the major, sadly. "I am an in
durable pensioner from the wars of
love, Winona."
"How much Jack is like you in his
tastes
"Good taste, possibly Winona, tell
me, do you want to marry the cub?"
Winona laughed, and shook her
head, her eyes softening in their ex-
preston
II am not versed in kindergarten |
methods, major"
saThen you do not object to me as
a father-in-law. WINNER
'It would surely seem strange to
call you father, Phil" she laughed
ssDo you love the boy at an?"
Her eyelashes hickered, and she
hesitated.
mot in that way
The major hesitated also. Then their
hand with his own, and raised it to his
would you send me from you
would you go If I did?' she re-
turned.
NO. dash it all exclaimed the
followed you out here this morning
meaning To-
Save Jack?" she put in mischiev-
mo. To find out if you loved him.
can you feel it in your heart
to take pity on an old chap like me %
Winona turned her face to his her