The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-20
THE EVENING STORY
CHESTNUT Lodge.
(By A Maria Crawford

II am so glad" said Polly Moore.
that came a day before your other
guests, Aunt Phoebe. It gives me an
opportunity to have comfortable talk
with you"
Bob Gaines is coming this after
noon for the same reason. If my head
ache doesn't get better, will be COM
PEELED to leave you two to entertain
each other
bob Gaines OF all people! I be-
lieve 1 will catch your headache 2
mOaned Polly. isn't it too bad that
we dislike each other when you love
us both and wan to pair US off like
cooling doves?"
''There is one thing that puzzles me,
Polly. You have never seen Bob. he
has never caught a glimpse of you, yet
you claim that hate boils in your
hearts. 1t isn't reasonab le-mere
prejudicel Somebody carried tales yet
neither of you will give the culprt
away"
Polly glanced up at her Aunt Phoebe
with mischief lurking in her blue eyes.
What will you give me to make this
your g person change his opinion of
me? Chestnut Lodge?"
That's not fair. Polly. I have
willed you everything I have except
this house and grounds. I promised
it to Bob when he was thirty and 1
can't go back on my promise. The
fact If the matter is that 1 have had
it attended to legally. Bob gets the
place next year."
This house is the only thing in
the world that l actually want. Look
at these high ceilings, this wainscot-
ing, the beautiful old mahogany and
rosewood furniture, the rugs-all to
go to a man that I despise! Why do
you love him so, Aunt Phoebe? He
isn't related in any way and I am
your own sisters child.
Aunt Phoebe sat looking pensively
in the fire where the big logs We're
blazi-g. Her face, crowned with It's
rt,sf 1,1fv- ornd Gil 7cT17I a r
youthful and there was reminiscent
tenderness in her eyes.
polly" she said. 81 am going to
tell you why I love Bob Gaines and
why 1 expect to give him this house
next year. He will be thirty then
His father courted me in this very
room. I loved him, but I was a fool
ish young thing and flirted with every
body. You remind me Of what was
in those days. He said that if I loved
him I must give up all my other ad-
mirers. We quarreled about it and
and he married BOb'S mother
"Oh, Aunt Phoebe, dear, I didn't
dream of anything like that. How
often I must have hurt you! How
true you have been all through these
long lonely years@true just to a mem
DRY. That" said Polly softly, her arms
tight about the straight aristocratic
old figure, "that is what I call Lowell
Everything in this room is suddenly
fragrant with romance.
Miss Phoebe smiled at the eager
young face so near her own.
BE kind to Bob when he comes. Tt
is almost dark now and good nights
sleep is what 1 need. My headache
/ is really severe"
Polly changed her travelling dress
for a filmy little gown that looked as
if it had been made of moonlight.
The diamonds on her breast cleaned
like stars in a summer sky Why did
she feel so antag onistic to Bob Gaines2
She sat musing in the great chalr
! he q
whel. she was down stairs. 1t was all
because of q chancet remark OF the
mans made soon after the announce
ment that Polly Moore would inherit
All her Aunt Phoebe's estate, that is,
everything except Chestnut Lodge, the
beautiful stone house built on farm
Edith Tyson had told Polly what BOD
! Gaines was reputed to have said at
IT suppose people will say that I
ought to hunt up Polly Moore and
marry her to get the rest or MISS
! Phoebe's wealth, but no spoiled fl1rt
seWeiI." Polly had answered when
Edith had repeated the remark, the
please say that I would rather be an
old maid than to marry an 1die, req
headed Irishman- Aunt Phoebe told
me his hair was red.
delivered and Polly and Bob had
thereafter avoided each other
/ When James switched on the lights
in the hall Polly saw good looking
stranger standing there, a suitcase
/ beside him His hair, she noticed with
a start of surprise, was not red, but
When he had made himself present
ab1a . d entered the drawing room
Polly extended her hand cordially
| sAt last we meet. Mr. Gaines 1 am
Polly Moore, as you probably know"
zone of the maids tells me that your
aunt is indisposed. am very sorry,
| but at the same time a little glad, for
it gives me a nice long evening with
Polly exerted all her efforts to charm
the man. She remembered the sweet
story of her Aunt Phoebe's romance
and her heart was warm for this young
fellow who might have been Miss
Phoebe's own son. The man himself
| seemed strangely i'll at ease. but Polly
| attributed It to the fact of their hither-
to violent hatred.
s'That cabinet over there Of curios is
worth a small fortune he said, indi-
eating a quaint hand-carved piece of
furniture That amethyst necklace
that belonged to some queen, believe.
| is very valuable"
Yes. indeed. Are you interested IN
Aunt Phoebe's collection? think that