The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-28
THE EVENING STORY
Rose and the Lily.

|
brief unfiattering epithets at himself
and the world in general.
| A few hours before, Derek Vane hau
dressed with unusual care and na4
| journeyed forth, with flowers anu
candy. to the home of Lily Randolf.
Once there, Vane had intended to take
| the fair, delicate Lily within his arms
| and tell her that he could not live
without her.
But alas! when the moment OF
making the confession arrived DereK
found that he could live very nicely
without her. He realized, not with
out a sense of his own infer1orlty,
that Lily's white, Unconditional beauty
failed in some way to meet his de-
mands.
He had, at times, during the con-
tentment of his evening with her, long,
ed for something stirring to happen.
He wanted to feel active and vital ano
strong. Instead Derek experienced
sense of monotony at the calm, un
ruff1ed hour. He recognized, with y
blush of shame, that Rose Davenport
would liven things up.
So he had gone from Lily's pres
ence with a knowledge of his own I'M
stable affections.
"I am a vacillating blow-hot ano
blow-cold, cad,'' he told himself, and
felt slightly better and sufficiently at
peace with the world to light his pipe.
for me-" Derek blew cloud of smoke
and in it he watched a face develop
1t was a face that was framed In
tangle of red brown hair and the eyes
that looked back at him were glowing
with the lure of life. Derek pew an
other cloud of smoke and the figure
of Rose, vital and palpitating with
the very joy of living, danced before
him.
Derek watched the smoke float away
II --sxvsl ae-sr,
ton pictured a lily becoming less thar
naught as it melted from sight.
Rose and the lily he smiled whim-
sically. IT will tell Rose of my love
tomorrow evening"
And on the morrow he again went
counting.
Rose Davenport received him in
most revishing costume of scarlet. Hey
eyes were sparkling and her red lips
curled in smiles.
Derek knew the moment he touched
her hand that it would not be hard tic
propose to Rose. She would, in fact
lead him on.
They had been together for perhaps
an hour when Vane was conscious of
a desire to escape. He felt ill at ease.
With her vital emotions and lack OF
something that afforded a moments
rest to the nerves, Rose kept him too
forcefully awake. Derek longed for
moments respite in which to collect
his scattered forces.
With deep chagrin he knew that Lily
soul at rest and bring contentment.
But Rose was before him.
Later in the evening when he sank
down into the soft depths of his big
chair it was with a sigh of relief. He
had not proposed to Rose.
81 could not be happy with either
Rose or the Lily, but with BOTH
Derek smiled half despcndentIy.
Perhaps if 1 toss coin it will tell
me which one I love" Under the
frivolity of the thought there was a
strong vein of seriousness.
vane had looked for the right girl
usually hard to please, but he wanted
the most that life could give; more
especially did he crave it in the mar
riage question.
His association with Lily Randolf
had always given him a sense of con-
tentment. He felt now that with her
he would have been moderately happy
in sinking down into an uneventful,
of quiet happiness had come the
longing for the greater heights and
depths of love.
Rose Davenport could give him all
this but could she give him the quiet
proven. She was the embodiment of
energy and unrest.
"Oh for the right woman!" he
sighed with heartfelt regret.
He dropped off to sleep then to !
dream of the happy medium-the girl /
who could combine all necessary I
characteristics in a perfect whole.
II wonder if she exists?'' was his !
waking thought when he arose to the |
dawn of another day.
He was on his way to the railway |
station to meet two chums from the |
west when he overlook Rose and the |
Lily walking arm in arm.
"And where are the fairest of flow
ers going?" he asked by way of
greeting.
ITO meet a still fairer flower" they |
told him in unison. violet Gray, by
name.''
II like the name" laughed vane.
You will like the girl even better"
Lily told him.
I'VE call Violet our happy me-
dunn" Rose informed him with an
tug at Lily's arm. She
combines the things we lack"
she is going to spend a week with
me-
And week with me-"
Perhaps I may meet her" laughed
Derek. Il am expecting Ted Wey-
burn and Jimmy Rogers on the three
thirty
.Lovelyr' chiraed both girls.
81 see where L get left out" sighed
Derek.
I'VE have decided that you and
Violet must fall in love-" Derek was
When Violet Gray turned from her
chums Derek was almost guilty of
forgetting Ted and Jimmy. When he
had greeted them he turned quickly
% Violet Gray and took her light
suitcase.
you people all know one another"
ne addressed the amused quartet
Miss Gray and I must get acquaint-
cd
Derek knew when he was walking
,or the first time beside the slim
caught her breath. The laugh had
,ound the right woman. Her eyes u