The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-06
THE EVENING STORY
Because of Bennett.
NV M c. England.)

setting sun slanted over the grass ana
up on the wide, vince-hung porch'
where two wicker chairs were drawn
cozily together. In one sat girl
furry as to gown and hair, dimpleo
of cheek. In the other sat a youth, I'M
pressiVe of manner, dark of eye, or
type of physical attractiveness tnat
CT responded with a satisfying COM
plcteness to the girl, the night, and the
general atmosphere of June and roses.
II brought you those flowers" he
was saying, an accusing finger directed
toward the table where they lay, not
to be put over there and forgotten
about, but to wear, or hold in your
lap
She looked around with a little air Of
penitence.
why. I did forget them. didn't I?
Poor things!'
and picked them up tenderly, smooth
ing out the crumpled petals where they
had lain.
Il bet If Bennett had brought them
over you wouldn't have forgotten" ne
said.
She paused in her advance toward
him and an odd, arrested look stole
over her face. Presently she moved
somewhat stiffly over, dropped preci-
pitately into the chair again. while
burning blush spread slow up to her
very hair and as slowly died away
The youth stared at her suspiciously.
What are you blushing about?" he de-
handed a dawning resentment in his
voice.
She retorted Indignantly. "I'll blush
if I want to And. besides. I'm not
anyway" she added incoherently.
You're always imagining something"
lima giningi" he scoffed. growing
more resentful as his suspicious took
hrmer root why. it was a regular
sunset I make a silly remark just to
hear YOU laugh at it. and instead of
that you give a color exhibition that
would fade a bunch of fire-crackers to
sickly pink. I'd like to know what
YOU mean by it.
! Would you really?" inquired the
maiden with suspicious sweetness. by
what right. may 7 ask. do you--"
Right he interrupted holly. What
right2 Haven't 7 asked you to marry
me every other night for the last three
monthsr You know very well you're
going to say yes sometime. I was
going to do it again tonight If you'd
given me half chance. I was only
"Then 7 certainly wouldn't have said
yes tonight" returned Miss Dimples
Indignantly. You look silier in the
moonlight than at any other time"
The youth rose majestically from his
chair. Very wen.' he announced calm
". that ends it. You've given me
every reason to believe you're in love
with that Bennett. mention his name
and you blush. Not only that but you
refuse to explain. And not only that
\ but
"Go awayr" a stifed voice COM
handed
ooh. I'm going. You needn't be in
such hurry. It's the last you'll see Of
me-" the youth threatened in sepulchra1
He turned on the third step 'sYou
might walk down to the gate with me-"
he conceded gloomily. TITS the last
time''
IT win notr' exclaimed furious little
voice. at won't stir from this chair
not if YOU stand there till the crack of
DOOM
She watched him as he strobe to the
gate. listened intently to the vindictive
/ scrunch of his boots on the gravel out
1 side till the sounds grew faint in the
distance Then she rose. walked for
! ward three stems. gave an angry little
shake to her ruffIed skirts and carefully
stepped out of the hlrny mesh OF lace
and linen that was caught about her
feet.
She piclxed it I'D. crunched it into a
little bail and shook it vieiously in
front of her face.
What did YOU have to start COM
ing down for?' she demanded. "and
lust at that moment tool Now he'll
never understand He'll always think
I b1ushed because. And can
never exp1ain-neverr' she walled. sink
ing down into the chair again. "At least
T couldn't possibly till after we were
married-and he'll never ask me again
till after I've explained. and so-and so
-
The fluffy head sank down to the arm
of the chair and she sobbed.
Weeks passed and the youth and the
girl passed each other with averted
looks or frankly belligerent stares.
Once notably on an evening of the
fra grant. elamour-filled variety. the
heart of the youth softened and he
started out through the moonlit en-
chantment toward the porch and the
wicker chairs. But as he neared the
familiar environment there came scar
ing through him the memory of his in
nocent remark and the strange look
md vivid blush that had greeted it.
His resolution turned to gall within
avenue whence he wandered to the
outskirts to sit on a lone rock and
curse fate
Gradually he began to meet the
maiden and Bennett going about to-
gether Presently he met her at a
dance. Though she kept far from his
vicinity and her siIverv mirth seemed
oftenest mingled with BENEFITS bray
ing laughter. he imagined with thrill
of rising hope that her vivacity was not
sparkling bright nor her beauty so ra-
dainty undimmed as in the days of his
uninterrupted devotion
Nevertheless rumor7 began to reach
him that the girl and Bennett were en-
gased-
There came an October evening. chill
and gray The blood-red rays of the
setting sun struggled through banks OF
stormy cloud. across wind-swept reach
es OF dead leaves and up on a wide