The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-11
TIE EVENING STORY
Quintin's Christmas Quest.
(By A. Maria Crawford.)

|
estate, valued at figures exceeding
! five million dollars" said the lawyer,
coolly suverying his well groomed
married by the twenty-fifth of this
month. That, I believe, is tomor-
row.
| Ell, Mr.. andolph?" Quintin Meow
laugh that made the older man smile
at him. ''That little clause in Uncle
| Joe's will makes it bit awkward for
me. Now. who will have me on such
short notice? 1t is problem for a
wiser head than mine
Then you don't expect to forfeit
the money for the benefit of the
charitable institutions which he
| names?"
mot if I can help it. At any rate,
I purpose putting up a pretty strong
fight"
you will pardon me, Quintin, for
the personal reference, but why go
on a quest for a wife when Julie
Moore is still single. Weren't you
two in love before you went on that
trip to Africa or Australia? I had a
hard time locating you. AS a matter
of fact, I feel a fatherly interest in
you, my boy and more interest in
Julie. She is my ward"
the corners of Quintin's eyes died
suddenly. He stared moodily through
the western window of the Office where
the setting sun shone red-as red as
the holly berries in the wreath of
evergreens that lay on Randolph's
desk.
Julie was here a few minutes be-
fore you came"
Quintin looked up quickly. The
knuckles on his right hand showed
I,fc TII1f
here?"
Eyes. She brought me one Of her
new pictures. Pretty, isn't it?'
He handed the silver frame across
the desk. Quintin slipped off his left
glove and held the picture carefully.
His eyes took in every line of the
slender white throat and the delicate
beauty of the girls face.
she is the most beautiful woman
in the world" he said, more to him
yer behind the desk.
Call her up, my boy, and tell her
that you are home again."
81 can't do that, Mr.. Randolph. She
Never mind what she told you a
year ago. Somebody has wisely said
that every woman makes a grievance
of being taken at her word"
Julie did quite right to dismiss
me. She said that I was just typi-
cal rich mans son with no particu-
lar aim and ambition. That is all
very true. 1 have knocked around
a bit"
'1That's all right. You have seen
and develop into a first class business
man. With your Uncle Joe's fortune
and your own"
"In never get Uncle Joe's money,
notice. I only landed this morning.
Fact is, Mr.. Randolph, and don't
mind telling you, 1 can't take the
sham for the real nor make a farce
Not Quintin MCGOWAN! The wander
lust has called and have gone; but
the home love is even stronger in my
heart and I am foolish, perhaps, but
I want to remain true to my vision"
Julie % asked Randolph softly.
Julie" said Quintin and smiled so
sadly that something, long dormant, |
stirred in the lawyers heart like
tiny seed under the moses that quiv- |
err with life at the call of the early !
spring He forgot that he was serving
two young people professionally. He
thought only of their personal happi- |
ness.
"Quintin," he leaned over and laid /
his hand affectionately on the young
er mans arm. Julie loves you. She
told me so today
s'You-you wouldn't lie to me about
her, would you?'' cried Quintin, catch
ing up his nat:
mo, boy. You'll find her near the
flower shops, I fancy"
Thanks. A merry Christmas to
you!"
Out in the snow-covered streets he
sought the most beautiful woman IN
the world. A child held up a tray OF
fragrant violets. won't you buy some
for your sweetheart"
''I'll take them ALL he answered,
dropping her a piece of gold.
AS he walked along, searching for
one face in the happy, surging crowd
breathe to him Of Julie. Then doubt
assailed him. Randolph, he thought,
had probably told him to go and hnd
Julie, not because she wanted him,
but because the lawyer himself want
ed to retain the vast business inter
ests of his Uncle Joe's estate. After
all, he would have to be gay bach
eIor and a somewhat poor one when
one reflected that he was allowing
five million dollars to slip through
his fingers because of a boyish dream.
tiny figure gripped him around
the knees. "Say. daddy daddy" piped
a childish treble, tell Santa Claus to
bring me a train of red cars and an
engine like that one in the window"
Then a man detached the small
boys fingers from Quinton's we'll
pressed trousers, murmuring some
vague apology about Billy getting hold
Of the wrong legs r
Quite unexpectedly, Quintin's heart
began to ache. There was nobody
there never would be anybody-to beg
him for a train of red cars and an /
engine. Two newsboys were discuss
ing the relative merits of some rail-
road tracks in one of the big, lighted
shops.
come on in, boys" said Quintin
yenially IT want to give you those
TOYS for a Christmas present.
But this is a pipe dream, kid. Wen
wake up in a minute
TT was when he was leaving the !