The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-12
The EVENING STORY
Cargrave Rents a Flat.
(By Mollie MONASTERY

at do SO dislike shopping" Emily
had written. Don't you think you
could furnish our apartment before
1 get there?"
Cargrave sighed. He had hoped
that Emily would have made his home
coy and artistic. His bachelor apart
ment was anything but homelike yet
he seemed not to know exactly what it
lacked.
"And now 1 am expected to furnish
an entire house." he told himself. He
smiled grimly when he realized that
from kitchen to drawing room he was
supposed to know just what was
necessary for the beginning of house
keeping.
Cargrave would have smiled whim-
sically had he been a whimsical kind
Ct man-but he was not. He was big
and more or less rugged in his pos
session of strength. Instead of smil-
ing at his predicament he picked up
the morning paper and turned to the
advertisements for furnished apart
ments.
Some one is always going abroad"
muttered Cargrave. Perhaps I can
buy over an entire equipment" He
produced his pencil and marked off
one or two notices that seemed prom
Using.
81 will stop in at OOss West End
avenue tonight-it reads better than
the Others" he decided and looked
over the simply worded advertisement.
For disposal Immediately. Com
plete furnishings for five-room apart
ment. Cali after 5 o'clock. Apart
ment z. 0O99 West End avenue"
During the day Cargrave was more
or less irritable on account of his ex-
pected journey into the house hunting
world.
This a woman's domain" he NUT
tered as the elevator carried him up
to apartment Z
big black NANNY, opened the
door for him and Cargrave stepped
into the small entrance hall.
"a gentleman to see the apartment,
Miss Mabel" she called to some one
within the closed door of the drawing
room.
When the door opened Cargrave
had peculiar feeling of sudden weak
ness. 1t was much as if he had been
swept into an unknown land and
knew not where to turn.
His first impression of the girl
standing there was one of hair and
eyes. He saw nothing else in that
first quick glance Afterward as his
eyes travelled swiftly down he realized
that there was a scarlet pair of lips
and nose that was slightly tip-tilted.
There was deep emotion in every line
st beg your pardon" he made swift
apology, you-your apartment rather
startled me with its beauty. I am
grave drew a long breath. There was
sweetness in the air. Perhaps a
subtle perfume was hidden in the soft
rose hangings and in the hair of the
girl.
MY furniture is all for sale" Mabel
McCarty said and Cargrave listened to
a beautifully intoned voice rather
than words. Was there more than a
have been engaged recently for q tour
in South Africa and must dispose Of
all this" She turned away then and
Cargrave knew that her sacrifice was
great.
as it absolutely necessary" he
found himself asking while he glanced
about the artistic daintiness of her
nest.
YES" she told him. ct had expect
ed a. long run in New York when I
furnished this apartment, but our play
failed. Now cannot afford to keep
it up while we tour South Africa-it
breaks my heart" she added and her
eyes met Cargrave's.
After he had dragged his eyes away
from her face he asked abruptly,
when will you be back %
Mabel McCarty never knew Just why
she smiled. Perhaps the unexpected
ness of Cargrave's coming had made
her slightly hysterical. She found it
impossible to meet the concentrated
gaze of his eyes.
Theatrical people are uncertain" she
made answer, but we expect to be
back within the year. 1t depends upon
our new play"
ct will take the apartment from you"
Cargrave said. IF you want it back
after a year-you may have it." 1t
took all his strength to tell her his next
thought. ct am going to be married
next week. L want Mrs. Cargrave to
have just such home as this to come
to. After a year perhaps she will be
willing to furnish a home of her own.''
To the sensitive girl listening there
was something deeply pathetic in that
ly painful. She glanced swiftly at Car
grave and wondered how any flesh and
blood girl could let him go house-hunt-
ing alone. p,
TT is the sweetest pleasure a woman
can have" she said almost unconscious
of having spoken aloud.
ITO you-yes," he said looking into
her eyes He caught his breath swift
ly and looked away. Never in his. life
had he felt so weak where a woman
was concerned. ct want to see the rest
of the apartment he said.
"Open those three doors and you will
see it ALL" the little actress said and
sank down into her big chair. She
watched him while he glanced first in
to her small dining room, then into her
own pink rose boudoir and after that
into the dainty blue room. Her heart
was beating so that she felt stifled
Cargrave returned to her side His
lace was set anu WIliIS want
apartment and everything in it, he
said. May I telephone to the paper
to have your advertisement removed ?''
The girl only nodded her head. Her
voice that carried out over the foot
lights and even to the topmost gal
lery was suddenly silent.
''In one year" Cargrave said and his
voice was hard with his effort, you
are to come back to your apartment.
I will make all other arrangements
with you by letter. Is that-right?''
Mabel McCarty arose and put her
hand within that of Cargrave's.
YES" she said in a steady. sweet
8.