The Topeka state journal., 1911-03-21
THE EVENING STORY
The Right Woman.
IRv Tennla Railexl

Inc HISnC woman.
by Temple Bailey.l
| AS the three girls dropped into low
wicker chairs on the hotel porch the
tall dark one in the MILDLY blouse said:
why even her slippers spell
| f-l-i-r-t."
The eyes of the others went to the
balcony above, where, beneath the rail
showed a row of 81 res.
Such knowing slippers, too" COM
mented Elizabeth Nor who was big,
with their low. fiat heels and dull
finish. No one with a large foot would
dare wear them, Bee"
Its her childish manner that takes
with men" Beatrice continued, scorn-
fully; Just look at them, Judge Clay
borune's patent feathers are hobnob-
| bling with Major Moore's riding boots,
and Teddy Dudley's tan ties are next
to" She foundered and stopped.
| ITO Bobbie Howell's white canvas
sneakers The third girl. made the
remark lightly. But the color left her
| cheeks. You needn't try to save my
| feelings. Bee. Bobbie is a backslider.
1 can't count on his devotion any
more
''Well. it's all her fault the big
| girl consoled; ''all the men are crazy
over her."
I'm not sure that it's her fault"
| Mary's fair little face was wistful. 81
think the woman tempted me- ex-
cuse is rather weak, don't you? Adam
by the same token. Bobbie needn't
| adore if he doesn't want to. We
shouldn't blame her. really
"Oh. you" Beatrice threw up her
excuses for everybody. You are an
| archaic idealist."
"Am I?'' Mary's slim fingers caught
at the arm of the chair, tensely. I'm
not sure, Bee
There was a moments silence, then
the fat girl suggested. Lets play
some more tennis.
Mary shook her head. Its hot, and
I'm tired
The other two went off together, and
when they were out of hearing dis
tance, Elizabeth said, ;Iuffily, Hot
why it's the first morning she has
missed since she came. But then Bob
bic used to make the heat bearable. He
was always hanging around her at the
COURTS
And now he sits up aloft with the
little widow. 1 call it pretty shabby of
Bobbie-to shift his devotion so soon
and Mary's a DEAR
Back on the porch, Mary, like Peri
out the gates of Paradise, watched the
telltale feet on the floor above, and
caught the echo Of gay laughter And
the sound beat upon her heart until she
could have cried out with pain.
Outwardly, however, she made very
composed little picture, in pale green
llIleIl, WITH ner Idlr Qd1r down DY the
salt breeze, her small white face like
pearl.
Hence, when Bobbie Howell leaned
over the balcony and saw her, he cried:
'Oh, Mary, come up.''
Radiant, she rose to her feet Then
she dropped back into her chair for an
other head appeared-an enchanting
bronze-brown coiffured head banded
with black ribbon.
Yes, please come up," supplemented
the little widow.
Mary shrugged her shoulders "Too
hot. I'm going upstairs and cool off,"
Still smiling, she found her way to
her little room and threw herself face
downward on the bed and wept And
the reason for her weeping was this:
When the little widow had leaned for
ward over the balcony she wore in the
front Of her black gown a white flower
that Mary had stuck that morning in
Bobbie Howell's buttonhole.
When the slippers and the tennis
sneaks came down the stairs the white
flower was in the lady's hand.
Please take it, she said, and held it
out to him.
"Why?"
Because you had no right to give
1t to me. And had no right to take
it But this must be my excuse, that
did not know then that it would hurt
someone else But know now."
"Ah,' her calm eyes met his stead
ily, II am wise woman have
lived such a long time-centuries-'
Not in years." doggedly.
Perhaps not-but in experience.
Ano let me tell you this-that am
hie.'
You are. I have told you so
dozen times. Since the night you came
[ have wanted no other"
But that isn't love- You are young,
and the Judge and Teddy Dudley that
you can win me. You like the chase.
You like to be one of the crowd
which surrounds me-and so you
think you like me-
Il love you
Tomorrow you will say that to
some one else You are sentimental
backslider, Bobbie. But let me tell
you this; The girl who gave you the
white flower is the right woman. You
will simply thwart destiny if you give
her up
How do you know
II know It," her strong little hands
rested on the back of a big chair.
She turned her wedding ring absently. |
He noted the action, and he noted, |
also, that, while three years had gone
by since the death Of her husband,
that she still wore deep black.
Yet he ventured- Suppose I de-
eide to make you the right woman,
he said, masterfuIly.
But you cannot. Fate decided that
for you. I saw the love in that lit
tie girls eyes when she looked up at |
you. All women will not love you like |
that"
.sWhy not?" he f1ared
Perhaps you are not worth it"
There was a hint of scorn in her
voice. But she will always think you |
are worth it,
"Oh." impatiently. don't let's talk