The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-07
TIE EVENING STORY
The Girl in yellow.
(By Louise Merrifeld. }

1t was dark and fragrant IN the
garden. Nevin left the crowded rooms
with quick sense of relief. He hated
dancing with lot of other girls when
the only one he wanted avoided him.
But he had caught her at last. And
he was sure that no one would miss
either of them.
Down through the shadowy alleys of
shrubbery he strolled keeping in view
the faint CLEAN of her gown. 1t was
a pale yellow one. Mighty few girls
wore yellow. 1t suited Irma's dark,
piquant face perfectly. And she wore
no jewels. He had noticed that also.
Nevin knew that she must have seen
him. His cadet suit would have be-
trayed him if nothing else in the
moonlight. But even the moon barely
gave any light here under the pines.
He set his teeth and followed the trail
desperately.
For four weeks the cadets had en-
camped at Point of Pines and had
owned the place, but none of the boys
had received a worse wound in the
lists of love than Ted Nevin.
you've got about as much show as
Puffy Blake the boys told him. Puffy
was the homeliest and happiest boy in
the troop, and absolutely impervfous
to love. you pick out your colonel's
niece and you're only a year out of the
Point
1.-The old mans got five nieces and
three daughters.
LAS if that lessened their value, Ted,
LAD. Go to. child; go to-
But Ted had met her eyes and he
was not afraid Diligently he attached
one1's wife Valiantly he became tame
cat, and fetched and carried for all of
her three grown-up daughters, and
some of the other nieces, all to get a
1a- clio eo1
derstanding from Irma's eyes I'm
derstand? Of course, she did. Who
could help it, when his hungry, plead
ing gaze haunted her day after day p
and the touch of his hand was differ
ent from all other hands, when they
happened to dance together. They did
not talk while she thought of those
dances Even Aunt Frances could not
guess the possibilities of a dance for
getting better acquainted, even when
one did not talk.
But this was positively the only op-
portunity he had had of seeing her
alone. and Ted seized it. Yet when he
finally caught up with her he was
speechless. She had stopped, too, at
sound of his hurrying fOOtSte cps in the |
narrow, hedge bordered walk. 1t was
so dark he could not see her face, and |
even that she turned from him. Before !
he knew or thought of what he would |
do next, he had reached out and taken
Ted bent quickly and kissed her-not |
on the lips. She gave him no chance, |
but on the cheek, her dear, soft cheek, |
with the fluffy, fragrant hair curling |
around it.
And then, just as he was about to
speak, there came the sound of laugh
ter and merry. girlish voices in the
garden close by.
Where are you?" they called.
We're going down to the shore. It's
to Il
The next instant Ted found himself
alone. The yellow dress had vanished
precipitately down the dark pathway,
and he went back to the hotel, glow
ing, triumphant and full of such as
that when he saw the colonels
wife he went over and famed her as if
he already called her aunt
It was only after their next waltz
that he found a chance of speaking to
Irma. She seemed so self possessed
and gentle that he envied her. He al
most trembled as he asked if she
would go into the garden with him.
He wondered how she could help hear
ing his heart beat as they passed away
from the crowd together.
There was Roman seat out on
the terraces that overlooked the sea,
and Ted led her there.
''I am afraid Aunt Frances will miss
me- Irma said, doubtfully. 1--WE
should have asked her first, I think"
Nonsense. I left her talking to
four subs. She's good for an hour.
Irma, you darling. Isn't it great to
be alone for half a minute. Great
Scott, but I've worked for this"
Boyishly, he threw his hat on the
ground and turned to her.
Il never was sure until tonight, you
znow.'
s.Sure of what?"
"Of you. just you," he said softly,
lnder his breath.
eI think you are almost too sure.
1on't you, Mr.. Nevin p" Irma asked
iemurely.
s'Don't scoId I'll be humble and
good. But you and know, don't we,
lear? We've known all the while,
svery time we met, and every time we
lanced together, every time you look
ID at me. You did care. didn't you2
Look at me now. I can see your eyes
n the moonlight. and tell, Irma."
The girl caught her breath, and
eaned back from his reaching, eager
arms, but they caught her and drew
Ter close TO him. When he raised his
lead from hers his voice sounded
husky and with a new ring of man1i- ]
less.
I'm going to the colonel in the ]
morning. I'm fwenty-four, and will |
lave my commission this year, and. {
" Jove, wen BE married as soon as {