The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-02
THE EVENING STORY
Betty and the Baritone.
(By Dorothy DougIas.)

cred ominously. Betty gazed back at
him in a sort of amazed incredulity.
She had expected almost anything but
anger The tears that had been per-
| iIously near to overlooking swept in
| dignantly back and a hard little CLINT
stole into her eyes. The fact that
! Milton had failed to recognize the sac
rifice she was imposing upon herself,
that he had become angered when he
| should have been deeply grateful,
added fuel to the flame. Her eyes
were mutinous but her voice was very
quiet when she spoke again.
| II would not marry you now to
save a thousand careers-if you can
not see that I have refused you for
your own sake-so that you may not
be hampered by a wife!"
There is no hampering about it,"
Milton contradicted hotly. You
know very well that love only COM
pletes a fellows life. I want a home
| with you in it..
"a home takes money and time to
| build" replied Betty calmly. You
need both your time and your money
Just at present-to build a career"
| Betty smiled a trifle wistfully. Don't
! you recognize the failures Tom and
Ned have made. They both had
promising voices and good start
toward success-until they married.
Now they are struggling along bur-
dened with wife and several chill
dren and all music is forgotten"
Il would give up all the music in
the world for you and three kiddies
such as Tom has," Milton put in
heart that Betty had cited good cases.
Besides" he added, neither Tom nor
Ned had any backbone-they should
have stuck it out in music
Betty smiled triumphantly. THAT
is exactly what they could not do.
n 1oT1 fo1f hot
had the right to chase musical but
terflies when the girls they had mar
ried needed material comforts. Tom
took a position in the village post
shop" Betty laughed ruefully. You
would probably have to become
first-class fruit vendor"
Suddenly the mantle of anger
dropped from Millions shoulders.
Perhaps If he brought his argument
down to everyday language he could
persuade her into his own way of
thinking.
mo- might have to take a few
pupils for the first year, but certainly
out the push-cart." He laughed, then
continued: "And to be frank with
you, Betty, want to marry right away
because I am absolutely sick of living
the conservatory all day it is horrible
to come home to a small room with
out a single comfort, and where there
is no one to wecome me and ask me
about my day.
You come here nearly every even
ing, Milton" interrupted Betty.
The baritone smiled whimsica1ly. It
seemed as if Betty would never under
stand how great was his need of her.
TT is not the same he went on.
you are not mine and there is the
uncertainty of not knowing whether
you will be that keeps me constantly
IJT1 1aI ont rN1n 90
a certain extent, and with this new
contentment I could make strides in
my music that will never be while 1
have to submit to the nerve-racking
distractions of boarding houses He
turned swiftly toward her and all the
love he possessed for her was in his
eyes and a new determination that
Bettl rather feared. 81 love you,
marry me now, I will not ask you |
again but will look about for some one
who will"
Betty gasped. A crimson spot
the love that had been kim
ding in her eyes.
81 was not aware that so many girls
were willing to accept the position of
housekeeperi"
Nor am l." Milton retorted grave1y,
to be angered, but do know
that there are girls who will love me.
want a wife now-one who in later
years will realize that she has been
the inspiration for all my success. When
I have reached the top of the ladder
don't want to stand on step of my
own building and remember only lone
ly struggles. She, the woman whom 1
want, must share all the building with
1 will become a-fruit
vender.. Life must be a thing of part
nership-if it is to be a happy one"
He ceased speaking and waited for
Betty to give him her answer. His
lips were smiling but his eyes reflected
an unwavering determination
II stand by my original belief" she
finally said. Marriage would hamper
your ascent and 1 cannot be convinced
to the contrary If there were not SO
tons right here in our community, l
might think otherwise" Betty smiled
a bit wistfully. eff you loved me well
you would be willing to wait"
at is not a question of loving now,
Betty; you know 1 have wanted you
for many months" He arose and ex-
tended his hand ut is to be goodby
then?"
Iy. though she realized that in another
she would be crying.
The baritone's eyes WINGED. but he
unconsciously braced his shoulders.
IF you find that you want to marry
me. Betty dear, 1 hope you will let me
know. If I have not already asked
another girl, nothing will keep me from
coming for you" He turned and was
gone before Betty quite realized it.
Then she, too, braced her shoulders.
A moment later she shook them as If
N an effort to shed heavy burden.
She cast a pair of doubtful gray eyes
toward her reflection in the mirror and
If she could stand the loss
IF her baritone.
In the evening she dressed without
much ambition to dine with her uncle
1t his boarding house. AS she entered /.