The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-15
TIE EVENING STORY
Mrs. Meredith'S Method.
by Temple Bailey.1

by Temple Bailey.]
eff you think Kathleen stretched
her white arms above her head, lazi-
ly, 'if you think that I am going to
lose my freedom, my ease, by marry
ing a poor man you are very much
mistaken
Have girls lost all romance?" Lit
tie Mrs Meredith's forehead was puck
cred in an anxious frown. why, when
was young, Kathleen, 1 thought only
of love-
And so you married dad, and you've
had to scrimp and save and work
and twist and turn. Oh, mother. has
the game been worth the candle?"
Mrs Meredith flashed a reproachful
glance at her daughter. Don't you
think dad is worth everything?"
''Of course. But he's the one man
in the world. All the rest aren't worth
making sacrifice for
wait till the one man comes TO
you" said little Mrs. Meredith. when
you care for any one you are gener-
Gus to a fault, and I'm half afraid
that if you ever do fall in love you'll
be positively too meek for words.
yet a moment ago you said 1 had
no romance" Kathleen told her.
You havent-yet, and feel thar
you may make the mistake OF running
away from sentiment"
Never fear. Donald won't let me
run. Why, mother, he simply moons
around and makes eyes at me, until
I'm almost cay. He's SO silly
He's in love- said Mrs. Meredith
gently and he doesn't moon. He's
genuinely miserable, and you don't
give him credit for any depth of feel
ing"
kathleen shrugged her shoulders.
IF being in love would make me act
like Donald does" she said, "Pd-Td
want to disappear from the face OF
the earth.
Donald will get his revenge some
day." said Mrs Meredith. wisely, you
wait and see"
But Kathleen had no forebodings.
Il don't want to get married, Don
ald.' she said, airily that night. 50
please don't ask me any more"
He stood before her pale and un-
happy. ct shall not ask you," he said,
sternly. 81 am going away-to get
over this
where are you going?" she demanded.
"Abroad. MY Aunt Betsey sent me
a thousand dollars yesterday. She
said she believed in giving money to
people when it would do the most
good. and not wait to die to let others
get the benefit of wealth. shall use
nv little fortune in learning to forget
you ,,
cried Kathleen. 81 want to be friends
you know; nice good friends, Don
aid, without any silly sentiment" Her
tone was coaxing, but he did not smile
sentmen tvs is f mot S sly is TO nert of
my life; 1t will be like cutting off an
arm to give you up. But I'm going to
do it, Kathleen. I can't be man and
hang around you as have for the past
he h
"Goodby and God bless you," he said. |
"Oh, goodby," she responded in |
dazed fashion. and laid her hand in |
his. Then she drew it away. II wont
mot right this minute Let's have a |
last walk together. You know Brown
ing tells of Last Ride Together 1t |
always sounded dreadfully romantic"
"Fiave YOU no hearth he asked, |
looking down at her. severely, "or are |
you so heart-whole and fancy free |
that you do not understand how sur
fer?''
For a moment she was shaken out
Of her frivolous mood by his earnest
ness. sob, I didn't mean to hurt you"
she said, but please let's go for a
walk
done to her whim.
It was at a turn of the road that
hey met Arnold Granger
surely" said Kathleen, and her
smile flashed out. But as Arnold join
ed them, Donald stopped, 81 must
cave you now he said, II have
20 many things to do
And when Kathleen protested, his
stern glance closed her lips. ut was
o be our last walk" he said in an
1ndertone. But you could not keep
t sacred to our parting. Can you
Keep anything sacred, Kathleen"
He left her, but she comforted her.
;elf with the thought, "Oh, he'll see
ne before he goes"
But he did not see her. He did not
even write a note of farewell He
simply slipped out of her life. Then
The loved him
why, he's always been part of my
ife,' she sobbed on her mothers
houlder. "How could 1 know I was
,oing to miss him %
Write and tell him." her mother
Ldvised.
But Kathleen was a proud little
adv She could not bring herself to
confess her change of feeling But she
lid write a contrite little letter, asking
pardon for her unkindness on that last ]
lay.
But no answer came to the letter.
ut serves you right" said the wise
mother, and that was all the sympathy ]
hat Kathleen received. {
= i l.