The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-04
THE EVENING STORY
Te1nporariIy Engaged.
(By Susanna Glenn.)


me2'' The young man looked at her
with strange indifference. considering |
the question he asked.
Then, as she remained silent, he sud |
denly wheeled about and took her two |
hands in his.
oh, see here, this isn't fair to you! |
L Know what you are going to say: |
and it simply shifts the responsibility |
TO, your shoulders. But, you see, they |
wheedled me into a promise that |
would ask you. on the grounds that is |
was personal slight not to do so un-
der the circumstances. Now that I
nave asked you, and you have said"
NO., she supplanted, with frank
smile.
why, it simply leaves the whole
blame with me. Believe me, 1 did not
see that side Of it when I spoke. Miss
Van Doren.''
am sure you did not
Il cannot understand why parents
need interfere in these mattersv' he
ADDED gloomily, neglecting to release
the hands he held. I'VE are mere
strangers to each other. How can they
expect us to consider such a PROPOSE
tion?"
gently. there is another mani"
BY Jove, do you mean it?" cried
Leon Halcott, crushing her hands in a
sudden friendly grasp. why. to tell
you the truth, there is girl, too! That
was what made it seem so impossible.
But If We tell them this, there'll be no
end of a row.
But what can we do?'' asked Doris
van Doren with a troubled frown, as
she gently drew away her hands.
ou've no idea how determined my
father can be when he chooses
Halcott moved two chairs out of the
arbor, and they sat down in silence
See here he said at last, leaning
toward her, where is this young
Same with the GIRL he nodded,
'There is no definite understanding?
The girl shook her head
This being the case" he continued,
i've thought of plan. Suppose we
become engaged? 1t will satisfy the
heads of the house. Then when the
others return, we will simultaneously
discover our mistake. and break the
engagement. They can not then say
we were not dutiful; surely they will
not insist upon a lifetime of unhappi-
ness for u.s."
You are sure it will be all right"
What can be wrong? Engage
ments are broken every day, We will
request that this be kept family af-
fair for few weeks
IF we simply kick out from the
start without giving their plan a trial,
an angel with a golden halo would
not satisfy them, and we'll simply be
putting ourselves in for no end of
trouble. We have to spend the sum-
mer here. together, and we may as
well spend it engaged"
Every WELL" agreed the girl, rising,
1--WE are engaged. There now re-
mains to you the ordea. of asking
papa!'"
Miss Doris! Wouldn't that be rather
remarkable under the circumstances,
and on such an evening? We will
walk in the garden if you will, and
then go in and break the news"
The moonlit garden was a midsum-
mer dream, and they loitered indefin-
itely. Then they went back to the
lighted house to receive their "bless-
ing
At the foot of the stairs. Halcott
kissed her fingers as he babe her
good night. For the special benefit
of the family" he murmured
Next evening he asked her again
to walk in the garden. Beneath the
pocket a little box. and something
sparkled in the moonlight.
At the girls exclamation of aston
ishment, he said with the slightest
hint of injury:
but surely you expected me to
give you a ring, Doris"
TT seems very strange" she insisted.
But she let him Slip the ring on her finger
The delightful summer days slipped
past Each morning the man and girl
walked or rode or motored together. Each
afternoon they dutifully performed social
obligations. Each evening they danced
Or strolled in the moonlight On Sunday
day they became better comrades. Yet
each night they dreamed of the man and
the maid across the water,
Which just goes to show they told
fences, that our delightful parents do
y IL
say love will come for the calling!''
This engagement is ideal-they were
made for each other!" cried the COM
''And you really know we arep' exclaim-
ed y0in1ng Hal 4S when taey Laughed
see two people whose tastes blended bet
'Neverr' admitted the girl.
So thoroughly did they come TO under
stand each other, that they spoke often
Of their. hopes and even of the little
doubts that would creep in.
You know the girl doesn't go in for
this sort Of thing" Halcott told her. "she
one with her evening toilet
THE man would see all this glory she
said, as they watched a gorgeous sunset;
would never see the-the other thingsi'
Halcott looked at her understandingly.
And often they said like two children:
THE autumn will soon be here; then we
shall be happy"
one day each brought a letter to the
why they exclaimed over them. they
are coming on the same boat-how per-
fect.''
Together they went to the wharf, and
waited, excitedly. The man and the girl
came out to meet them together.
Leon Halcott could not help seeing the
tenderness in the mans eye. Then the
girl shut out all other thought.
In the carriage he Ionged to tell her
all that was in heart, but the remem-
brance that he was still engaged to Doris
Van Doren REQUIRED to him. His story
could surely wait until tomorrow
While he dressed for dinner a note was
brought to him.
Meet me at in the arbor-I will take
only few minutes of your precious even
ingi DORIS
He watched her coming slowly down
the path.
Leon she said. going straight to him.
this ought to have been done before
have come to release you from your en-
gagementt She began to draw the ring
from her finger.