The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-01
TIE EVENING STORY
Winning Pansy.
(By Howard Gunter.)

|
| choice Viands to be purchased within.
| But Phillip was not admiring the pie,
which had been there so long that it
might be said to have accrued historic
| interest as well as spiderwebs, and
! though the pastry was heavy, Phillips
| heart was heavier.
! He was a fine looking young man,
with certain pleasant traits that his
| father openly declared were Grant
wood and his mother secretly consid-
cred to be Vaudeville, SO they were
| both immensely proud of him. But
now his handsome countenance was
| clouded, his brow was stormy and his
soul was chaos of rage and indigna-
! ton. He had been so jubilantly hap
Ply when Pansy Borden promised to
marry him. and though she had made
| him promise to keep the engagement
a secret he had only admired her the
more for that, as PanSy had said that
it would distress her mother to know
that she was to leave home SO soon.
1t was sweet of Pansy to think of her
mother.
However, Phillip was human, and
when his best friend, Ben Davis, had
begun to act in an insufferably pa
from giving Ben a hint of the glad
news, especially as Ben was great
admirer of Pansy. 81 know a secret,
he had casually remarked, that
it,
Hump" retorted Ben, scornfully.
81 know one that's worth two of
yours"
That was too much for human en-
durance, and having sworn his friend
to secrecy, Phillip told him the won
derful tidings. "Pansy Borden's said
yes It's to be in the fall
The color left Ben's freckled face,
and even his red hair seemed to turn
shade paler. But Phillip" he pro-
tested. that's my secret Pansy's
promised to marry me in the fall
xNh nj world
to give way, though it was only the
cracker box on which he had been
sitting. He, sprang up and seized
cIared angrily. "You can joke me
about anything else, Ben, but not
about Pansy.'
When he was excited Ben suffered.
''B-b- b he began, and Phillip loos-
ened his grip on his throat. There
is no use in trying to choke slut
tering friend. But Phillip, she's
wearing my ring. The anguish IN
Ben's tones was genuine:
Phillip sat down and buried his
face in his hands. Forgive me- he
said huskily; she's wearing mine
too
1t was the quick witted Ben who
had whispered presently, Say, Phil,
do you reckon she's wearing any
other rings? Every man in this town
is in love with Pansy, and even that
fresh travelling man, Arthur Dering,
was wild about her.
From old Isaacson, who sold dia-
mond rings on the dollar-d own-and
50-cents forever plan they had learn
ed the CHASTITY truth. Henry Blaine,
Ely Canning and Willie 10 Hall had
also purchased rings for Miss Borden.
Old Isaacson was quite elated and was
planning to enlarge his store.
So it was that Philip Grantwood
had not waited long in front of
Whites Emporium before four other
figures stepped out of the darkness
and the whole party started gloomily
for the Borden home. They had de-
cided to go together to Pansy and
crush her with the hideousness of her
conduct Knowing the girls ready
wit, they had prepared beforehand
document setting forth in solemn
language their righteous indibna-
ton. their desire to be freed immedi
ately from their engagements, and
their emphatic determination that all
friendship with such a person should
cease. Philip was to learn the speech
and act as spokesman for the crowd.
He had been studying it all day,
but when they turned into the famil-
lar path that led to Pansy's home
Philip felt that he would choke
stop. boys" he commanded, Pm
forgetting what we're to say
They were all glad of a delay, so
they retired to the old graveyard and
seated on the crumbling tombstones.
got out the paper and by the light of
matches Philip conned it. 1t was
fine effort, an aggrieVed Indignation
was it's keynote 1t contained many
quotations from Lord Byron as to the
falsity of the fair sex. Reading il
had a tonic effect upon the five, anc
soon they marched boldly up to Pan
sy's home and were admitted by her
shy little sister Polly.
Pansy came in Immediately. bring
ing sunshine and gayety with her.
Pm so glad to see you,' she cried.
with the most disarming friendliness.
And all five of you at once! Why.
YOU frightened Polly SO that she can't
say her prayers.
cleared his throat. and began in
rand humble. I'VE have come to-
night. Miss Borden, to ask you for
an expIanation-" He paused. for
how could he say these dreadful things
to Pansy, beautiful Pansy. with her
dear. discorded curIs.. her merry, brown
eyes, and her sweet impartial smile?
oh Pansy, he blurted out, how
could you do it?"
"PP-Pansy." stammered Ben, ''how
could Won do it?''
Eli Canning surreptitiously wiped
tear from his eye, for he was sure
that Pansy looked like his dead moth
er. Mrs. Canning, the departed, had
been cross-eyed, and had had a long
hooked nose. but she died when Ely
was two years old and the face that
his memory pictured leaning over
his cradle was Just like Pansys To |
Willy 10 Hall she looked like the
Madonna in the Sunday supplement OF
the Admission Hot Blast
Pansy glanced from one to the other
Of her lovers, Their the sayety faded
from her face. stOh." she said softly |
you've told each other
But. Pansy,'' cried Philip, and then
stopped What was the use of argu-
ing with a woman?
Pansy did not seem angry, but she