The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-19
THE EVEWxNG STORY
Strange Gods.
(By A. Maria Crawford.)

(By A. Maria CFaWIOrO.D
There was little flutter Of pleasur-
able excitement when the door opened
and Mayfield stepped into Margaret's
studio. She was glad afterward that
the place was filled with her friends
we'll groomed men and women, taking
| their afternoon tea at the little tables
almost hidden under mounds of roses
It was her reception day. Margaret
| had been too we'll disciplined by life
| to be disconnected.
"How fine it is to see you again,
Bob" she cried, her hand out in well
come. "And how big you are, and
| broWn!''
ITS good to see you. too, Margaret -
he said quietly, plainly embarrassed at
the warmth of her greeting. Time
has been generous, for you are more
beautiful than 1 remember"
THE years have certainly not rob-
bed you of your youthful good looks.
Come over here and break some of
these girls hearts Each of them
must have her lesson, you know"
AS he chatted pleasantly with old
friends and new, he watched her
covertly, this we'll poised, easy woman
of the world, in her soft blue gown
breast. AS she gave him his tea he
saw the ring, a single sapphire set
with diamonds, that he had given her
ten years before.
daresay you have heard Olivia
Upton regarded him intently. Her
miniatures are wonderful. She was
given a regular ovation in Paris this
spring. By the way, it was her ninia-
ture of you that hung on the line"
For once he had himself we'll in
hand. He was getting over the shock
Of finding Margaret untouched by
time.
IT have, been in Australia for two
years, so I have heard practically
nothing of home. I am glad to learn
of her success"
ried soon. Things look that way. I
have never known her to be really in
terested until this man came. He is
with her now-our most famous now
e1ist. Aren't they splendidly match
ed?"
81 don't know said Mayheld, alb
sently. st never saw the man in my
life He was conscious of resentment
Olivia watched him, covertly OBJ
serving that his eyes never left Mar
garet.
MAY I stay longer. for old times
her guests began leaving in little
groups, glancing back as they left with
keen, interested faces at the two by
the window. Some of them remem
Margaret's early romance with May
field and how her love for him had
always made her Indifferent to other
men.
"I shall be glad to have you stay to
dinner. Old Hannah still reigns in the |
kitchen" |
Twill be as welcome as I used to |
be when she made soft ginger bread in
honor of my coming 2"
t'Just as welcome" Margaret smiled |
at thought of the happy years that
never pass the same way twice. They |
were happy years and lost years and
~ Il
even the semblance of them could |
come again.
''They tell me you are in love, Mar
garet. I congratulate the man. Rather
famous. isn't he, like wourself?"
Lets avoid personalities until after
dinner. One is apt to be somewhat
morbid just before meals"
ST suppose you will think me a
something white in your wardrobe,
won't you put it on? have always
liked to remember you dressed in
white as you were my last night at
home when we went to the Carpenter
ball"
What a wonderful memory, Bobl
How was my hair arranged?" Mar
yaret's laughter was cool and hooking
rs she stood waiting for his answer
Parted" he said readily, land
;oiled low on your neck, girlish fash
on. You wore your Aunt Phoebe's1
pearls around your throat and in your
ears. Like CnaI, you nave Deen my
,ne enduring dream"
'I am flattered.' Margaret smiled.
at the vision of her youth
lcross the chasm of tears and dis
ct can dress for the
BART" she said softly, "but I myself
an never be the same
He was not conscious of the lapse ,
# time as he sat alone, lost in dreams,
taring in the wood fire that burned
IN the old brass andirons. The little
tudio was the same comfortable place
hat he had known years before, but
is sweet, awkward young mistress
vas gone. In her place Mayfield had
ound his ideal. the ideal of which she
lad given promise. c
May I turn the lights lower" beg :
red Margaret, $50 that the fine lines Z
t the corners of my eyes won't show? {
hey prove that my youth is gone
Mayfield looked at her and rubbed l
lis eyes. "Just the same Margaret"
e said. wet not the same"
Aunt Phoebe says she has neu-
algia but I think she is pretending.
he wants us to have a little domestic ! a
Gene all to ourselves lust to show you
that you missed when you lightly low +
d and rode away" laughed Margaret.
Against the hiRh-backed. old ma g
osany chair. in her white lace with k
opes of pearls about her throat Mar
aret looked like one of her lovely pic g
1re ladies.
How beautiful you are! How like
star, clear. shining and far away" n
1.-THE fowl is getting cold. AS the t