The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-24
The EVENING STORY
Gift of the Groom.
(By Olive Roberts Barton.)

- looked at the landscape com
placently well pleased with himself
coming from the South, he had shiv-
cred and shaken all the cold north
ern winter; but the warm May wealth
er suited him. The freshness of
everything, the little yellowish green
leaves the smell of the lilacs and the
songs of the birds made Fordport
more like home.
Another reason for this felicity was
the little office and the row Of six
nearly completed frame houses half
block down the street. He could
see the latter from his window The
outside work had been done before
the rough weather and the inside dur
ing the winter months. Nothing re-
manned to be done but the trimming,
paving and one extra coat of paint on
EACH
Eric Prescott was engaged to be
married to Rose Marshall, the belle
Of Fordport. When he had settled in
the village eight months before Rose
was engaged to marry Tom Lyle.
The minute he saw Rose, Eric made
up his mind to have her. The fact
that she was engaged to Tom Lyle
was nothing to him.
Few girls would have been proof
against the siege he imm ediately laid
to Roses favor. His southern accent
and excellent taste in clothes. which
set off his tall, slender figure, made
him favorite with all women
Eric showered gifts of candy, roses,
books and music on Rose, who re-
fused them all at first-then &C
cepted a few flowers reluctantly and
finally. overwhelmed with many at
tentions, succumhed completely. Then
she and Tom quarreled and that was
exactly what Eric wanted They
were soon engaged and Rose was
! seemingly happy She was the envy
of all the Fordport girls.
The corner house in the row was
to be hers when they were married.
Eric gave her to understand that be-
fore she had accepted him. She joked
at home about loving the house as
much as she loved Eric.
The house began to look different
from the others in the row The
and made two feet wider than the
other porches.
Rose, busy with her trousseau. ap
peared to be very happy and the
wedding was a month away. She sell
dom saw Tom Lyle. He was spend
ing most of his time now at the farm
half a mile from the village. She
congratulated herself that she had es-
capped life of monotony in the coun-
try. Town life suited her.
one day she met Tom driving two
strange men toward the farm He
seemed to be explaining something to
them and merely nodded at Rose. She
went home thoughtfully- He evidently
was not unhappy.
The day following this meeting with
Rose, ION nlCcneQ ms lllLiS DldCk
mare to the runabout and drove over
to see his chief councillor and con-
fessor, Aunt Polly Goodwin. She was
taking map" in her sitting room
when Tom drove in at the gate
What news. Tommy? Sit right
down here Now tell me-is there
much coal on the farm %
yes Aunt Polly, acres of it they
say. Congratulate me. L am rich
BLESS your heart. Tommy" said
the old lady, wiping her eyes with
the corner of her apron. Il am so
glad, so glad for YOU
s.Thanks. Aunt Polly but riches do
me little good now?' he turned lit
tie bitterly.
eff YOU don't mind me mentioning it,
Tom, I have been doing a little think
ing lately, since you talked of finding
coal May l suggest little plan?
You used to take my advice.
Fire away, Auntie, that's what
came for
'sWen. it is this way. I hate to see
f--e girl like Rose Marshall throw
herself away on that Southern dude,
and ruin her life at the same time.
Her heart is in the right place, but
her head has been turned by Pres
colts attentions and his house. Now
that you have some money
Money" he interrupted impatient
". IF you mean that Rose viii mar
~ me now that / am rich
FLUSH. Toni" she said softly.
s'Now listen to me. Rose is not to
Neither is anyone in town to know it
for little while This is my plan"
Tom left half hour later think
ing what a wonder Aunt Polly was
and with determined set to his lips
boding good or i'll for someone
One day, a week or so before the
wedding. Rose stopped in to see Eric
at his office.
dow seat in the dfning-room, Eric
she explained after he had kissed her
L do not want it vanished. Did
you tell Simmons? ?"
Eric looked uncomfortable for a
minute, then walked to the window
and looked over at the house. DO
you like the place so well, Rose?"
L love it. Why?"
Il have just sold it,"
you what?"
THAT housel Our housel Minei
Sold it,
Yes
Rose sank into a chair. white and
shaking. Please explain"
He turned quickly. Il had too good
an offer to refuse A firm in the city
offered me ten thousand dollars for it
and wanted an immediate answer.
You were in F'oXburg yesterday and
could not wait to ask you. So wired
Yes You didn't care so much as
that for the house, did you? We can
she rose unsteadily. the tears
starting to her eyes I must think it
all over, Eric. am little upset
Good-by.'
think as she had not done for months.
The sale of the house, his wedding
gift to her, had given her a sudden
jolt. But after all a house IS only