The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-25
TIE EVENING STORY
Loves Furlough.

Loves FurlouSh.
(By Izo1a Forrester.)
tits only to be absolutely sure
Suzanne did not look at him as she
spoke. 1t was far too hazardous. But
Don was taking it very calmly. He re-
garded her with unblinking eyes from
his perch on the veranda rail.
But we stay engaged ?"
"Oh, yes,'' Suzanne assented, cheer
fully. ct don't mind, do you? It's only
TOTO test our feelings, Don. Don't
you understand? I'm going with the
Janeways for week, and you may
stay here and fish or sail; do just what
you like"
80 generous of YOU" murmured
Don.
why not? 1 want you to be hap
Eyes, you do? You know 1 can't be
happy without you"
1--WE don't know for sure, YETI Su-
zanne was very firm, but gentle. She
felt sorry for Don, but when it came
to a serious question like this, she felt
it far better to put it to the test. at
isn't as if we were breaking the en-
gagement, Don, dear. It's just a sort
of a furlough. don't you see? Wen
keep it a secret, and both be free to
do as we please"
(which means you'll trot all over
Tressac Island with Carl Janeway."
same with any girl here"
But that's the rub. Sue. You
know I don't give a rap about any
to try out Janeway.
Suzanne pursed her pretty lips re-
provingly.
Sometimes you seem like a big,
overgrown cub, Don; you do, really.
Mr.. Janeway is a perfect stranger to
Blanche has been writing to you
for month to come ard meet her
brother. Don't known"
''Well-I'm going" smiled Suzanne.
And you may do just what you please
about it,
May II" Don asked grimly, with a
swift side glance at her. I'll remind
you of that when you come back
Don't be too rash, or maybe 1 won't
come back"
''Ah, Sue. don't say that?"
But Suzanne merely laughed, and
rose from the deep arm chair. She
knew perfectly well how charming she
was, and how she held Don Hamilton's
heart on her own pink palm. And the
very surety had begun to bore her. 1t
had been unfortunate, their falling in
love so soon, at the beginning OF the
summer season, and now at early fall,
1t seemed an old story.
Blanche had succeeded in arousing
her curiosity over her wonderful ex-
plorer brother. Don had never ex-
her own heart. She would go down
to Tressac Island and see this celebrity,
and without Don. And she went.
The whole island was owned by the
Janeways. 1t lay like a beautiful
green emerald far out in the lake
After the excitement and restless life
at the seashore resort Suzanne found
it folding spell of enchaEtment about
her, the peace and dreamy langor that
hung over the entire place
r.
ten one letter to Don-one only. Was
not love on a furlough? And not
word had she heard in reply. 1t was
queer of Don to act that way. He had
no perspective on life. she told herself.
Carl Janeway was keen on perspec-
tives.
1--WE can never hold the reality in
our grasp, try as we WILL he told her.
do we not ever reach for the dream ?"
81 suppose we do" Suzanne assent
easily how tangible had been the
realization of Don's dream. She did
not meet Janeway's glance. They
were just landing after the daily sun
set canoe trip. She watched him now,
as he lifted the canoe as easily as an
Indian guide. He was like an Indian,
too, in his tall, 1.-THE build, black
hair, and odd, dark eyes that never
he was interesting Suzanne found
him more than that. Vaguely, he
fascinated her. She loved to sit in
the canoe, gathering water lilies on
a lake that had turned to gold and
amethyst and ruby red under the sun
set splendor, listening to his tales
of worldwide quest That was what
he called it, quest after fortune.
he had found it.
when are you leaving Tressac,
Gray Eyes?" he asked suddenly.
Saturday"
She waited while he hid the canoe
under the trees. 1t was twilight now.
A faint breeze stole over the lake, per-
fume laden. Up at the lodge they
were lighting the long Chinese Ian
terms around the porch. And sud
denly without warning, Janeway's
arms closed about her.
But you will not go-not now. You
know the same as I do that this is the
end of the quest"
Swiftly. recklessly, Suzanne's palm
struck out and cuffed the famous ex-
plorer's nearest ear even while she
evaded his lips. And then, picking
up her skirt, she ran straight for the
shelter Of the lanterns glow.
I'm going home tomorrow.
hostess alone there.
"Oh, so soon, dear; why? Here's
a letter for you, anyway. From the
shore, too!''
Suzanne read it through ones,
Twice. Every WOTQ SILK deep INTO
her consciousness. It was from Don.
SCI think you had better stay longer.
am going up to Canada with the
Wheatons in their car. The day you
left 1 took a wrong header in driving
and struck my shoulder. Lucky it
wasn't the neck, Ell? Have been laid
up ever since. Head grazed a rock,
too"
blanche. am going now. tonight.