The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-22
THE EVENING STORY
For Business Reasons.

For Business Reasons.
| (By M. McCulloch- Williams.)
eff you really cared about me-
Elinor began, breaking off there in 6
choking sob.
William, her husband, frowned
heavily, and said sarcastically, "Ot
course I don't care-you are only my
wife-for whom I spend my days
toiIing and grubbing-and from
whom I get in return"
ct tryl You know I try-ever sc
hard" Ehnor flashed out. But your
l-your-m-m other-won't-let me
have a minutes peace"
Wont Ell? I really hadn't noticed
it," William retorted, still sarcastic.
'I suppose the real root of the matter
is-you want me to leave her. Under
stand-I shall not do it! That's flat.
You married me with your eyes open
knowing all she had done for me
that I was her only child-besides,
told you outright I would never leave
her lonely. You agreed-anythfng to
get me. Now-you want to get away
from your bargain
do you want to get away from
your bargain" Elinor asked, sudden
| ly calm, sparks at the bottom of her
eyes drying them magically.
William did not answer-only
smiled provokingly. After little she
went on, still clearly, ''if you do
will take myself away-as soon as we
I
to leave things straight"
Really, Elinor-this is too ridicu-
| lous. With the Travers expecting us
to dinner-and the theater after
ward" William began-he was not
smiling any more, but still his voice
was hard.
EIinor's head went up. You do
not answer she said. ct take ST.
lence for consent. AS to the Travers,
you can make my excuses-say you
| All 7 Ind fcr En7s
The door opened without any pre-
liminary knocking. Mrs. Aslop, the
elder, came through it saying with
frown, William, you should be rest
ing-you can have fifteen minutes be-
fore it is time to dress. Ehnor never
thinks of such things-but If you are
to go on doing yourself justice you
must take care of yourself. And to-
night I want you to be your best self.
The chief Justice, who is to be at the
Travers, is an old beau of mine
Suppose you go in my place. am
staying at home. And 1 can help
you dress,'' Elinor said, her voice stu
diously commonplace.
Her rnother-in-law stared at her.
mot goingi" she echoed. 'I take
your place! I knew you were poorly
bred, but must say I never dreamed
you could be ignorant enough to
think of such a thing
Say kindness for ignorance
is impulsive-and very generous. OF
course, her suggestion is impossible.
But 1 know she thought only Of giving
you pleasure-the pleasure Of meeting
an old friend
"It will be much greater pleasure to
have him see my son and his wife at
their best, among the best people, Mrs
Alsop said proudly LAS for James
Dwight, I don't care a pin-except to
have him see I made no mistake in re-
fusing him. He will be bound to see 1t
you are so much your fathers son."
The clock striking the half hour,
made her hurry off with a vexed excla-
nation.
AS the door shut behind her William
went up to his wife, laid a hand upon
her arm and said, not very easily: you
are very angry, Elinor-that 1 know.
And it is in your power to take a deep
revenge. Unless you go tonight, I can
not. That will mean the loss of
Traver's good will and good word,
which just now are vitality i'm
portant to me- He and his wife count
on us to liven their party. The others
are rich, but heavy-and wild to be
amused.
I'VE are not paupers-thanks to my
mother. She saved my fathers estate. |
you know But one can't stand still
you know that without telling. I have
invested more than 1 ought to have
risked in deal that Traver can make |
successful. Knowing that-you must |
decide. I throw myself on your mercy"
"On my Justice. you mean" Elinor |
said lifelessly. Therefore I will go. It |
shall never be true that I added to the |
harm 1 did you in marrying you the /
wreck of your fortune
Come, now, let's kiss and be |
friends" Alsop said, trying to take her |
in his arms.
She e1uded him, turned to her toilet |
table, and began pulling the pins from |
her hair, saying over her shoulder: LAS |
am staying only for business reasons !
and so long as they are important,
there seems to be no occasion for us
ever to quarrel again.
She was the life of the party that
night, so blithely brilliant so eIfishly |
fascinating, Alsop was amazed. He |
knew she could be so, but heretofore
she had been either too indo1ent or too
Indifferent to show off. All the Traver
guests made much of heretofore the
home going she had many engage
ments, tentative, too be sure, but GER
tain to materialize.
Even the great chief justice was quite
taken off his feet. Tell your mother I
thought her the most fascinating of
women-until I met the daughter you
have given her. he said to Alsop as
they shook hands.
Come in and tell her yourself. SIR