The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-09
TIE EVENING STORY
Proximity.
(By June Gahan.)

MIN TO be safely out OF the hospital.
Peters & Peters regarded the young
man as part of their booming future
and his illness was a sort of night
marish vacation-on full pay. More
over they felt to blame since it had
followed on a winter during which he
had cheerfully done three mems work
for them, pulling them through a cri-
sis. The firm was on it's business legs
again-and very grateful.
Thus Philip went to the little Col
orado mountain town for the month
of June with letters to old Peters
/ niece, Mrs. Broussard, a widow lately
! released by kindly nature from Pierre
| Broussard, an old bear whom the
dead than alive She took Philip first
| into her household, and then into her
! affections. He was all that was
! charming, good, with energy written
! large upon his big, close-knit figure
| and clean-cut brown face. Mrs.
Broussard promptly sent for Angelica
/ to visit her.
| Angelica came. Alluring is the one
word that fits her.
| For" said the quantity dramatic
| little French widow, lit is of a fit
ness planned by the gods, this mar
riage" She flung out both pretty
hands in a gesture entirely GalIic-
and confidentfally to each of nineteen
most intimate women friends. Each
is to the other a luxurq-but a lux
ury, 1 say to you! Angelique has fam
nuied with it all. This little Philip
he was six feet in his tennis shoes
| has ambition, fire, ability; he is
strong and handsomei Also he inter
ests her. He is hard to get. She is
not accustomed to men of his sort. He
is not sentimental, mol But for the
nearness each day he would not love
her. Proximity will do all things for
the yOungi"
Now idleness was hard for Philip
Bowen. Had he been busy with the
vital affairs of the house of Peters &.
Peters he would not have more than
glanced at Miss Angelica. At twenty
seven, women still meant nothing but
a possible danger to him. They spoil
ed careers and made staid family
men out of young fellows that other
wise might have forged unincum bered
to the front. He had steered clear of
pretty girls save as a sort of transient
escort. But Angelica was different.
For the first time in his life he had
nothing to do, and his restless interest
was held and fed. The pretty south
erner was the most finished coquette
in the world-so finished that she
seemed actually an unconscious rose
of child. He was wary, but fas-
cinated. And she kept him from
Jones and Robinson and the rest
could not, he was sure, put through.
His heart was with the big deals the
urn grnw+b Sho on6 h De making an So the
Iowa. His ambition was to head in |
that city the Greater Des Moines com |
mittee and to make fur fly gener-
ally for it's benefit.
Angelica often made him wait and |
one hot afternoon as he lay on the |
grass, his mind on the home office, |
he wondered If they had raised Mary's |
salary. They ought to. Mary was
rather chimerical gentleman from I
making many temperamentaI mis- |
takes. For three years Philip had |
watched and respected the tall, silent,
and dignity nothing seemed to ruffIe.
Lying on the June grass, Philip,
waiting for Angelica, hoped the
younger Peters would not succeed in
fate. His reason for this hope was a
glance he had once caught the Junior
partner launch at the unconscious girl.
1t was glance of affection, respect
and intention. Philip was Judge of
glances. He controlled his own, being
a young man unwilling to court Dame
Trouble.
If Angelica hadn't made him wait so
long while she made herself so un-
necessarily lovely for their proposed
mountain walk, he would have had
less time to remember Mary Also the
afternoon mail would not have reach
ed him until their return. And that
summer ramble might have brought
about many things. Mrs. Broussard,
who had suggested it. counted on it
for effecting an engagement
As it was, the mail came. and let
ters for Philip from Des Moines One
was from Jones, one of the managers
at Peters & Peters. It wished him
we'll, sent him his weekly check, hop
ed he would soon be back. Some news
Of the office followed, ending with
this:
Miss Mount-you remember that
sood-Iooking secretary of the Junior
partner ?-is leaving next week. Don't I
know what's up. She couldn't have
been fired-is too perfect in every /
way, at work and personally The /
young boss wears long face. Do you
suppose she's going to get married? +
Robinson says good looking man t
suppose you will be back soon" 7
Philip dropped the letter. Jones I
was an old gossip veritable village +
luntie in his relish for news-but all
he same! Philip stared-Mary leav- i
ng! He could hardly believe it.
Then, at one leap, his heart was (
PACK IN MS nome city He wanted to t
Know what was doing" He wanted q
'eturn with rush. and all his old
energy and decision. And Mary Ieav- s
ng, The phrase kept recurring. $
Philip saw Mrs. Broussard come =
milling, and he sprang up and went to
Ter on the veranda. His face was p
lager and shining. He f1ourished the
etter from Jones. and Des Moines, n
owa. =
''I'n have to catch the o'clock :,
rain back to Iowa. am needed there h
e
She interrupted him, laughing for
ou to be so gladI Can't business W
7alk ?" d
He shook his head. and then turned f.
0 see Angelica her most alIrrire hat | 6