The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-06
TIE EVENING STORY
Glory Ann.
by Louise Merrifield. l

n.
peaceful like and calm.'' old Mrs SAL
1sbury had said over and over for years,
whenever she took time to consider her
golden egg that had turned into so
comeIy chick But nobody knows
the awful feeling of responsibility thar
the family
It always kind of liked good poetry"
Mr.. Salisbury would put in soothingly,
swinging one foot back and forth as he
smoked in the rocker by the window
could swing out 'Casabianca' with
any one when I was as old as Glory
there
Now. father, don't bolster Glory up
IN her nonsense. She's made up poetry
ever since she could climb the big
pine, and swing up and down on its
branches when the wind blew. And
she can't cook, nor sew, nor plan ahead,
nor do anything like girls should that
expect to marry and settle down some
day"
put in. mischievously. Fathers going
to hand over the pine grove to me,
and the hill pasture, and I'm going
to raise Christmas trees and Angora
goats, and write poetry all my life.
mother dear"
will the good Lord ever bless such
q combination asked Mrs. Salisbury,
plaintively.
IF he don't. he'll bless Glory Ann
anyhow, so don't fret. Liddy.'' the old
man laughed.
So Glory Ann was allowed to write
her poetry, and ramble over the hills
she loved, and grow as tall and sweet
and strong as one of the wild flowers
themselves. Dreams came to her, but
not of fame or wealth. She knew her
voice was not one Of might only that
planned to go out into the world on
a wild goose chase after fortunes fly
ing heels 1t was enough to stay near
her pine grove, and be free to sing
the call r. n
They don't pay much, seems to
me-" her mother would say, but the
old man would adjust his spectacles
with fingers that shook from excite |
ment. and read Glory AIMS little ten
der verse in the local paper with
blurred sight.
Angels couldn't suit me better
he'd say. My, my. look at our girls |
name right there in real print, ma"
Glory Ann rose softly, and slipped |
out the side door. 1t was early even |
ing A young moon was riding high in |
the clear winter sky. The ground was |
hard with frost, but there was no snow
Down at the base of the hill the brook !
made zigzag line of black in the !
moonlight. Down the road they heard |
the sound of horses hoOfs, and hest |
tated until the rider came in sight, and /
drew up beside the bars.
It's only Dave" Glory Ann called |
back over her shoulder to where her |
mother stood in the doorway.
aren't you going to visit a little, !
Glory?' the boy asked unsteadily. Il .
came purpose to see YOU
But I don't want to visit" flung
back Glory Ann, teasingly. I'm going /
for a walk
I'm going, too ne persisted. keep
ing beside her, after he had fastened
the horse to the bar post. i've got
news for you. I've got my appoint
ment."
Glory Ann stopped short, and faced
him There had always been Dave
Phillips in her life. They had been
playmates, SchOolmates, and last of all
sweethearts, in way. She knew she
had spoken carelessly when the boy
had asked her to be his wife while
back. 1t had seemed almost pitifui
that after years of poetry, Dave should
be the only prince to come wooing-
Now she remembered the look in his
eyes, and his promise. He would not
let his life be ruined just because a
girl didn't know her own mind. He
loved her, and she knew it. He would
take his examinations just the same,
and try for the appointment as mate
on the lakes. And when his boat round
ed the straits he would look out toward
the pine-croWned hills south of Mack
mac, and think of Glory Ann, but he
would not break his heart over her
When are you leaving, Dave?" ask
ed Glory Ann, family. I'm awfully
glad for you VIII you be gone long?"
"All the season. I'll be home in No
vember, and 1 don't have to leave until
n,
March, Her eyes questioned his
quickly. Its only December now"
Are you glad. GIory?" lie bent over
her with swift eagerness II thought
maybe we could be married by Christ
mas, and I'd buy that hill lot and pine
grove you like so from your father,
and we'd build the nest there. You can
see the straits from that hill, dear, and
wee manage to send out signals to
each other. I'd pass through them ev-
cry week And you could keep on writ
ing poetry if you wanted to. But if you
say the word, I'll keep away from you
can take the navy examinations next, ,
and then 1 guess I'd never come back"
There was a dead silence. Glory had
stopped short. Poetry seemed very
small matter somehow in the general
scheme OF life at that moment. There
was only Dawes face. steadfast and full
IF love for her. with the clear light in
MS eyes as they looked down into her
own.
And you want me to tell you"
Glory Ann. you'll catch cold out
here with the frost coming called ,
Mrs. Salisbury shriliy from the porch
Come in and sit by the fire. IL
In a minute. mother" Glory Ann
'epIied, clearly. t
ssOh. I know why you can't make
Up your mind, Glory" went on the /
BOY. crushing his cap in his strong q
lands. You know me too well, and
IN just Dave to you I read the 1
'tum you write and all through 1t Z