The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-30
TIE EVENING STORY
Chestnuts.
(By Leslie Louise Davis.)


They were playing Inc Blue IAN
ube.''
The rhythmic swing of the waltz
doated dreamily out to Miss Tremaine
where she sat in the half darkness of
the hotel piazza The rounded meas
ures seemed to come to her from
long distance, so far into the past was
her mind carried by the sweet famil-
iarity of the notes. How many times
she had danced to them in the old
happy days at Long Branch and sara
togal She closed her eyes to see her
self again as a popular young belle,
and in the pictures she created all her
partners wore one face. She could
feel his arm around
"Why in the world do you suppose
they play such funny old tunes p The
broke stridently on Miss Tremaine's
ear. jolting her rudely out of her
reverie.
Funny old tunes! Why. child,
that's The Blue Danube an exquisite
thingl know every note of it! I've
danced miles to that waltz; it's per-
fectI''
"Oh, it's a good enough waltz"
agreed Elizabeth indifferently, but it's
q chestnut"
For minute Miss Tremaine was too
startled to reply. then she answered
apologetically, ut is rather old; why,
yes. of course it's old. Where is Roger?
Why aren't you dancing?"
He has gone-to bring some lemon
ade. He's bringing some for you, too.
He's the most thoughtful fellow Aunt
Mollie, don't you think he's dear? I'm
perfectly crazy about him!"
Miss Tremaine assented cordially
and smiled a welcome upon the pleas
ant-faced youth approaching followed
by a waiter carrying a tray of glasses.
Elizabeth lifted her tumbler, then
hastily set it down again.
ooh, come, Roger," she cried.
They're playing Every Little Move
ment;' We mustn't miss that" and
with a laugh her partner hurried after
her and they disappeared into the
hotel
Miss Tremaire left alone once more,
was comfortably slipping her lemonade
when suddenly her young charges ap-
peared again il the bright circle of
prise Roger Cary turned abruptly and
ran down the steps and off into the
might. Elizabeth came straight toward
her, eyes very bright and cheeks very
pink.
why, where is Roger going?" quer-
led Miss Tremaine anxiously.
Back to New York answered
Elizabeth through set teeth.
Elizabeth, you haven't quarreled?''
1--WE have-disagreed I am very
much disappointed in Roger. I never
dreamed he could be so narrow mind
ed. You know. Aunt Mollie. will not
be dictated to!''
"Oh, Elizabeth" regretfulIy, ct am
so sorry Isn't he coming back?"
"No, he is never coming back. I
shouldn't see him If he came I am
through"
All the next day the defiant mood
seemed to possess Elizabeth. She took
her morning dip in the surf, and in the
afternoon Joined a party of young peo-
pie going grabbing. 1t was not until
after dinner that Miss Tremaine no
ticed any difference in her. dance
every evening was one of the attrac-
tions advertised for the hotel, and soon
the orchestra began its alluring tun-
ing of instruments. To Miss Ire
maine's surprise Elizabeth proposed
that they should sit outside.
"I am tired tonight, I shall not
dance" declared the girl, and she per-
sistentlv declined all the persuasions of
her former partners to make her join
them.
They sat in silence for while. then
Miss Tremaine thought best to at
tempt some conversation.
They've played this music all sum-
mer. 1 don't know the name, but I
should think they would be very tired
of it. It's what you call a chestnut"
Elizabeth reused Indignantly.
"A chestnut Why, Aunt Mollie,
that's Every Little Movement know
every note Of it. I've danced miles to
it, oh, let's go where we can't hear.
lust can't stand iti'
She sprang from her chair and Aunt
Mollie followed her up the stairs in
troubled silence.
In the night Miss Tremaine was
awakened by a slim white figure stand
ing bv her bedside with a tearstained
face peering at her through the shad-
ows.
AUNT Mollie I can't sleep. Would
YOU mind if I stayed with you a
while?" meekly asked Elizabeth. ''It
would make me feel better to talk.
Aunt Mollie. were you ever in love?"
"Yes. dear"
every much so. Aunt MolIie?''
Eyes, dear"
And did you do things together and
have gay times? Did you dance, Aunt
Mollie, with your-beau She evil
dentIy thought the old-fashioned word
more suitable than any modern ex-
preston
"Yes, Elizabeth, we-danced."
"And then what happened? Did you
quarre17''
:swe-disagreed- I would not be die
tated to. Elizabeth"
"oh-h. I see. And he never came
back2'
s'No, dear"
"And you never cared for anybody
else p
Never