The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-02

mean by asking that question about
my living on the edge?''
She flushed slightly. and rose as if
to go. You are man." she replied,
simply, which gives you every adj
vantage in the business world. You
have-some money, a good business
but yourself to think of or to care for.
have. That is all meant. 1 should
not have spoken my thought, OF
gesture. Anything 1 could do-for
your brother?" he said. But she
smiled little, putting definite end to
personalities. He dared go no fur
Their.
Mr.. Harris says I can have my va
cation beginning Monday. I shall be
back promptly in the two weeks.
Goodby, Mr.. Penrose?' She left him.
Somehow Penrose felt as he had in
first youth, when an admired goddess
had refused to dance with him. He
seized his hat and went out. In his
little runabout he came near being
forget that he was strong. single, sell
fish, caring for nobody but himself.
Had she meant that, in her wellbred
way? Had Person also meant that
Penrose went past Angel Heights and
decided that it would not be a bad
place for a home, if a man had any
use for home.
Gertrude Fairly was away two
first Consciously, then unconsciously.
He was surprised with himself, and
disguised. He took to going about
with young women of his set, but it
did not help him. Mabel Ferris made
herself very alluring, but somehow
when he would go out to the parks
and lie on the grass and close his eyes
he could not see Mabel as the center
of a dream about a home built, say
on Angel Heights. He began to con-
found Person for the teasing sugges-
ticn which persisted almost day and
night.
The suggestion included Gertrude Fairly,
and presently he grew little miserable
and fretful. He told himself that he was
fool-that she had not thought of him,
that the fact that she had to work for
him did not preclude her despising him.
She was not of the sort to wish to marry
her employer. He began to idealize the
girl to compare other women to her-to
their infinite disparagement. All this
was not sensible, but man just discover
ing that he Is in love has no sense Why
expect it? He dreamed vain dreams.
The Saturday before she was to return
deserted the office at noon and after
hasty lunch, took a car to the nearest
park, and set off to walk. Motoring would
weary physically and get his bearing
mentally. He wandered about for hours,
finally striking off into a little wood and
leaving the winding path. On the top OF
a Knoll green grass under a great tree
tempted him. He fell asleep, face down
WdTQ against one arm.
The cool of evening was falling when
ne aWoke with sudden start and a feel
ing that some one was near him. He
listened heard a rustic and jumped to his
feet-a girl in a white dress was slipping
Off through the trees. She looked back
as II afraid; and he called after her.
She stopped instantly, her face very
white. as he went to her
OH she said. ''I didn't know YOU
were here. came for a walk. 1 almost
stumbled over you before I saw you-.-
did not want to disturb you" She was
quite gone.
Don't be so afraid" he SAID. '.Don't".
re came closer to her, but neither collu
mink of the right thing to say He was
wondering If it were possible that sht,
could have missed him as he had missed
her He asked her that very directIv
she struggled for composure
you have no right to ask she said
NO right? when love you? When 1
want you to marry me?"
linen he reached out both arms to her
She shook her head, but she did not RIM
away, as she had been preparing to do
he still held out his arms, seeing a GER |
tam yielding in her pose.
can't you love me- he asked yhino- |
slcally, and help me build a home nm !
anger Heights, perhaps?' They thew bofb
laughed, but she let him hold her 10 him
d mo. moment. Then she withdrew herself.
ITS ike dream" she said pushIno
d ner mar back from her face, a face
William Penrose laughed '.Evervboov
Ferson "-(Copyright 1912, by Mc1!itire
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