The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-02
TIE EVENING STORY
The Wayfarer.

Bruce Esmond. for the first time, she
believed herself madly in love with
| him.
Bruce was an artist with a leaning
toward illustration. He set up his
easel one April day on the edge of a
newly plowed field. and proceeded to
make a sketch of Cecily's father.
| Mr.. Drake resented not only the i'm
pertfnence of having himself put in a
picture-but in being put in one when
| he was not dressed in his Sunday best.
So he told Bruce Esmond to go else
where for his inspiration. Then Cecily
| interfered.
why. father. he paints such lovely
| things she said, Just look at those
| horses
Remus and Romulus looked well, and
| compromised on a sketch in which he
should be left out.
You can put in the field and the sky
and the horses he stated generously,
| but not me-
Then he went on blowing and Cecily
and Bruce Esmond proceeded to get ac-
quainted.
Bruce said the conventional things:
that Cecily was too pretty to be buried
in the country, that he was tired of
city women with their feathers and
furbelows, that Cecily rested him and
pleased him-al1 the fascinating COM
pliments that men of his class use o
turn the heads of the unsophisticated
Thus, Cecily believed herself madly in
love with him and if it had not been
for the Wayfarer she would either have
married Bruce to live unhappiIy ever
after. or she would not have married
him and would have felt herself brok-
en-hearted.
The Wayfarer came slouching along
the road in old clothes with a fishing
reel slung over his shoulder and a rod
in his hand. He did not compliment
Cecily at all. He simply asked for a
glass of water and sat on the stone
bench and drank it. He looked very
tired and Ceci1y invited him in. when
father comes home Wen have supper"
she said, "and he's always glad to have
company"
The Wayfarer thanked her and. for
the first time. he smiled.
Cecily liked his smile. 1t lighted IN
his tired face, and seemed to warm the
observer.
Cecily sat by him on the stone bench
and chatted of many things. She talked
most of Bruce Esmond. you've heard
of him, of course
Yes. He has a promising career be-
fore him.
..Oh, hope So said Cecily, ardently
The Wayfarer said nothing
"Hov long has he been here?" he !
asked, at last.
"A month"; said happy Cecily, "and |
he's going to stay another month. He |
wants to get the light of the May moon |
on the apple blossoms"
''Humphi'' said the Wayfarer
Mr.. Drake was very enthusiastic
about the Wayfarer that nigh.
HE wants to board here through the
fishing season" said the farmer to
Cecily. 81 don't know but we might as
well let him.
"Of course" said Cecily But when
she told Esmond he ragged.
How can have any inspiration with
him around? I want only you, Cecily."
But you see father needs the
said Cecily, grave1y. There's
the interest on the mortgages to be
met"
Esnond looked at her keenly st
thought your father owned the farm
he said.
He does. But there's one mortgage.
And times are bad and the crops have
failed
Two weeks later, the Wayfarer, COM
ing up from the stream, stopped be-
hind Esmond's easel There are Just
two things you shouldn't try to do,'' he
said, quietly; you shouldn't try to
make love to a girl like Cecily'
Esmond turned an angry face up to
him. What have you to say about
it?'' he snarled.
Something" said the Wayfarer,
quietly. Il know your reputation IN
town, Esmond-and Cecily is too sweet
to be hurt by you
I'm love with her yourself?" demand
ed Esmond.
Perhaps. But that has nothing to do
with the case. You'd better pack up
your pictures. and run along home"
I'll take Cecily with me-" said the
other.
Il think not said the wayfarer,
because when Cecily learns the truth
[ don't think she will want to co.
small thing nT7a ma |
% talk about another"
oitality of a girls father to accomplish
lis own ends / shall tell Drake what
Know of your past He can decide
whether it is necessary to warn Cecily
Personally, I don't believe that Cecily
will miss you after you have been away {
| week. When she really falls in love {
he will fall in love with man.
Like .-ou?"
cat least I can offer clean hands AMI I
rue and steadfast affection"
The next day the artist went in town | 6
After his departure Cecily dropped r
md faded.
can it be that she really loved him."
he Wayfarer often asked himself
He tried in cry way to make her
lappy.
Il am an old fellow he said '-but t
eally I know some interesting things" l
Cecily began to enjoy the walks with
i'm. He did not talk to her as Bruce
he charm of her smile. But he had a
vay of telling her things that were de-
ightful an as time went On Cecilyi
egan to feel that she was in close !,
communion with a wonderful heart and {
mind. III
You don't paint your pictures she J