The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-05

Visiting Philomela-
(By Lola Forrester.)

l8 = T08IIul, Do&Aut6OUS Spot GST-
aldine." said the bishop In a rebuking
tone.
Geraldine never even turned from the
window. Our Of doors 1t was raining
IA slow, gray November downpour.
Through it the distant mountains
looked like heavy, low hanging
clouds The trees were bare and. dos
olate. Geraldine's heart felt bare and
windswept and desolate and there
were tears in her blue eyes.
II hate it. Uncle Ted" she flung
II you don't take me right straight
back with you, I'll run OF to those
horrible mountains and de-
The bishop smiled at her pleasantly
and consulted his timetable.
you'll grow to like 1t, my child,
and your Cousin Philomela is q
charming woman. when you-er-
grow to know her. The change will
do you good
"oh, know why I'm being planted
down here. You needn't try to gloss
| it over ono bit. Uncle Ted" Geraldine
turned suddenly and made for the
wide, hat-topped desk. Planting her
hands on its glossy surface, she faced
the bishop belligerently. You're all
against me, even mother, and you've
fixed this up SO I can't sail on the
goth. After I've made all my plans
for the year in Paris"
Ridiculous. a year in Paris alone"
said the bishop. I'm the first place,
Gerry. your voice is very mediocre.
my dear. very. In Fairfield it was a
wonder. There are many voices
which astonish the little Fafrfields Ut
the land. Transplanted to New York
or Paris they cannot be heard. You
have pretty. light mezza soprano ut
terly unfit for even concert work.
Geraldine stared down at him. For
a whole week she had been trying to
get used to Greenacres, Cousin Phil
omela's home on the Virginia bank of
the Potomac. 1t might have been
pleasant in summer or spring. In.
early December it was desolate Yet
she had managed to exist some way
If 1t had not been for the long rides
every time the rain stopped she
would have fed long ago. But at
least there had been the rides, and
had never told the bishop of him.
Somehow now, as she thought of stay
ling here perfOrce, he came back as
the one inducement.
If you visit Philome.a until after
Christmas" continued the bishop, be-
nevolently. and are willing to give
| up this notion thereafter, you are to
join your mother and me In the west. :
| And If 1 don't?"
you may visit PhilomeIa indef-
nitely."
After the bishop had taken his de-
parture, and Philomela had tried to
comfort her, Geraldine opened the
wlnoow wide to the night air. and let
the wind blow on her face and throat
Below was a balcony, and from that
Just step to the ground
She heard the dull thud of horses
hoofs on the wet grass before she
could see any shape. and stood hold
ing ner breath. a slender. eager figure
| stlhouetted against the golden patch
OF the window space. Just for a mo-
ment she saw him in the lamps glow
as he crossed its path of light. the
same youthful, reckless figure on the
bay horse. and the military cloak
flung back from one shoulder, as he
looked up at her. and lifted his can.
| "Phil. DEAR said Geraldine At
breakfast the next morning, with
suspicious friendliness. who are your
neighbour"
We haven't any near ones. I'm sorry
miles farther down the river. You can see
the red chimneys of their house ON a
above us on the river bank, the Carterets
and the Jamesons. but they are closed in
Geraldine leaned her chin on her palms
and rides horsebacE@ q military CLOAK
The slice of toast dropped from Philo-
When on earth did he get beck7'' she
qon ana DO Ss laughed hin,
every single day when I've been out nd
ing; and once when my girth was loose
tightening IT, he came along and fixed it
for me-and helped me mount
9s Ssaa ss eea:n s''n %S.s
not even talk to Jack Carteret."
W a,stn. he s doPs;" ash asfed Gerry f.tIy
a very ultra sort Of person. Gerry. and
you won't get 81 tangled up With hi, him. will
it turned out there wasn't soul left Of
the old family. and this person came from
II came from there, too" put in Gerry.
But dear. he had been cowboy be-
trolled and unbusinesslike."
Geraldine's eyes sparkled. Memories Of
er's ranch on the old Belle Fourche river
up in Wyoming swept over her
coming to see me, and you'd better allow
it. Phil. for It's absolutely the only d.
/ Philomela gave in hesitantly; but that
afternoon, as the clouds broke over Smoky
mountain, Jack Carteret sat before the
Ing tea and telling Gerry that he knew
every ranch along the Belle Fourche and
r raf o xox outfit above shelby.
II knew the way you rode you belonged
sos . :i sa s tS Strap an ass
Come often"
He did. Every day they rode together
chaperon unwilingly over the tea table
And someway Paris faded away into Q
distant dream to Gerry. and all she longed
/ for was q return to the dear old ranch
that had lain idle since the death Of her
| Then came one early morning when
the big bay horse refined at the veranda
It was before breakfast and Gerry was
out trimming on dead slips from the rose
bushes He looked more daring and full
of repressed energy than ever.
| preliminaries. The other chaps turned
mp"
sWhat other chapf I don't under
stand"
s.Seabury Carteret. my cousin: He went
| to japan eight years ago. stroiled arouno