The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-05
THE EVENING STORY
Texas Bad Man.

Texas Bad Man.
by A. Maria Crawford
Il am willing to wager you lunch
against paper of pins that you'll have
a COWBOY for son-in-law," laughed
Mrs. Meredith Ogden's dance in honor
OF Robert Alton, a nephew from the
southwest.
You'll lose" warned her mother.
One good lunch with you, even if
nave to pay for it, is preferable to
taking all my meals with a Texas bad
man. Oh, you needn't shake your
head. His wonderful attractions will
prove to DE the outcome of Mrs Og-
gems vivid imagination. She should
have been a writer
Its rather funny. isn't it, that she
! has practically married you to her
nephew before you have had a chance
TO look him over. 1t wasn't exactly
generous of her to discuss the matter
SO freely. for it will be trying in case
| you do not like the man.
Like him? Impossible. 1t would be
too much like one of the many ro-
mances ! have written for the maya
zines. They don't really happen,
| mother"
A bell tinkled, and Edith caught up
| big white coat. There is the gem
| tleman of the orchids. They look pretty
that can't fancy bald head and
| Fifth avenue establishment instead of
writing foolish stories for our bread
and butter in a f1at?'
We'll, were happy"
Yes, and there is something in that.
Good night
For weeks the arrival of Mrs. Og-
| denis nephew had been eagerly antici-
| pated, for his attractions were numer-
Gus. according to his kinswoman, who
recounted them with mathematical
precision to every eligible young wo-
I man of her acquaintance. But she con-
! stantly said that he must be the man
! for Edith Dougher, and stated en-
| phatically that she expected to do ev-
erything in her power to make the
match.
Edith Dougher and her mother had
| been compelled to give up their planta
ton home, and had moved to the metrop-
/ oils, believing that Edith would find
/ a place there for her work as a writer.
AT first she had struggled along brave
| ly with very little encouragement, but
eventually some short, breezy articles
! from her pen coming under the notice
| OF prominent journalist, she began to
! be SUCCESSFUL and soon acquired a name
! for herself. The old-time southern
| charm of blended grace and dignity had
! soon surrounded her with many friends.
She had several offers OF marriage, two
/ or three that the world called brilliant
/ opportunities. but at . she was still
single. She felt that she could love,
| she often declared, but smilingly added
that the blind god had passed her by.
Isn't he all 1 promised and more?"
| demanded Mrs. Ogden.
| All and more" repeated Edith
feeling the blood mount to her face
and throat.
Il am glad to know you," said AL
ton warmly. Something in his brown
eyes held her gaze; they were laughing
| down into hers 1T seems that we
| are destined to be friends by Fate"
and Edith smiled at the large proper
| tions Fate had assumed in the person
of his august aunt. Don't let Fate
prejudice you. AT least, don't make
a decision until have had a hearing"
Within a week people were nodding
significantly when Edith and Alton
| appeared together, but the girl was
apparently unconscious of it. She at
| tributed her interest in the man to the
fact that in hearing the stories of
western life he told her she was ac-
cumulating valuable material for fu-
ture work.
One afternoon Alton had taken her
for drive. and afterward she had
asked him in for a cup of tea
so you think my western stories
are poor, or. to put it more tactfully,
unreal?"
81 didn't say that" he corrected;
but I did say that your western men
not drawn the man of the west as he
really is. Did you expect me to shoot
up the town.
Yes, I am willing to confess that
you disappointed me. Are you a good
type?"
"A likely one" he answered
As he was leaving, Alton noticed for
the first time that Edith's eyes looked
tired though her lips smiled.
Until tonight she said.
| why, you've been working over
time because I've been so selfish. It
was hard to stay away when 1 wanted
so to come, but I'll try not to forget
again, Edith" He smiled apologize
ally at use of her name.
$50 you're not coming tonight? ?"
4 For just a little while" said Alton,
shamefacedly, as he hurried down the
steps.
What was it. she reflected, this sub
tie indefinable something that was
making life so sweet to her? Could it
be love, the all-absorbing passion that
in her later day cynicism she believed
At last she had known a great, master
full man, free from sham and hypoc-
risy, who had taken her theories of
life, CLEANED from books and her own
narrow experience, and had torn them
piece by piece. only to replace them
J with theories which he had cleaned
from life itself.
waited expectantly- Suddenly she
Iheard for the first time the chill wind
that sighed past her window and was
lost in a long. low moan.
Some flowers and a NOTE said the
maid.
!. read.
"a telegram from the west. and I
must leave at once. 1 shall live for
tJune, when you and my aunt are to