The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-14
THE EVENING STORY
The Law of the Land.

gorge, to rustic the leaves OF the IN
dian pipe vine, climbing over the
porch.
Felicia March. turning a page of
that interesting novel, felt at peace
with all the world. Never was there
a better combination of hammock,
She had not read a paragraph
when somewhere in the distance
| there arose a low, thro bling hum. 1t
grew in volume. The peace of the
early September afternoon was rude
ly shattered by the painting of a
whirring motor. Nearer it came.
Some one plainly was driving at q
pace which set at naught all the
speed laws of the community.
Felicia lifted her eyes from the
page. Down the road, rapidly ap-
preaching, was great cloud of dust.
Even as she looked the dust cloud
turned in between the gate posts at
the end of the drive, swept along the
box-bordered path. and came to rest
with a clank, clatter and wheez-
ing cough, at the steps of the porch.
Then the dust cloud whirled on,
leaving to view a dust-covered and
which a perturbed young giant was
just stepping.
Felicia scrambled hastily out of the
hammock.
What on earth brings you here and
at such a pace?'
Peter Gray came up the steps.
Trouble said he succinctly. 'Fe-
lfcia, tell me, did I propose to you
last night at the boat clubs hop?''
Propose to me? Most certainly
not!'
Peter Gray collapsed into nearby
wicker chair. II was afraid 1 hadn't, y
said he miserably.
What on earth do you mean?"
said Felicia.
Peter coughed. He pretended to
be picking threads from his coat.
You see, it was awfully dark on
the boat house piazza said he. 1.-The
wind had blown out all the Japanese
lanterns. AS 1 say, it was dark, and
was awfullX Hurried and then some
one came poking out there right in
the midst of it and-so it wasn't
you?"
Felicia began to smile comprehend
ingly. Il think 1 begin to see.
You've Numbered again, as usual,
haven't you?"
Peter Gray did not look in the least
relieved. Say, this is dreadful" said
he, really dreadful" He wiped his
forehead and sadly shook his head.
who on earth was it?
well, do you expect me to find
her for you?" she asked.
No" said Peter, mo, of course
not. / couldn't expect anything like
that. I'm dreadfully upset. You
see, [ thought it was you, Felicia. I
was sure it was you. Why, I could
have sworn it was you, until you let
Jimmy Reed take you home in his
car afterward instead of me. That
made me begin to think that, what
with the drkness and the way I was
flustered up and all, there might
have been a mistake"
Felicia said nothing. Peter pro-
ceeded to mop his dripping forehead.
The corners of his mouth were drawn
- 1rrrr 11a1-s@ ell 10o1r rod
moment, Felicia could not help think
ing, amazingly like some sadly dis
appointed little boy who was about to
burst into tears.
1T isn't q bit funny. It's tragic,
Peter chided her. why, hang it all,
Felicia, L meant to propose to you
I've been trying to get up my cour-
age for cons and ages. 1 wouldn't
have proposed to any other girl for
the whole world 1 never should have
dared then, but the darkness gave
me courage. 1 couldn't bear the idea
of being turned down where it was
light enough for you to see me. Oh,
yes. I'm a coward. for all my big
hulk. That's another thing that
made me suspicious I'd made a botch
of things. You didn't seem a bit in
clined to turn me down; in fact, you
We're just going to say yes, when the
intruders came pol<ing out and
kindly remember it wasn't I, Pc
ter" she reminded him.
He mopped his brow hurriedly.
Yes, yes, of course" said he. You
would have turned me down, wouldn't
you?'
Felicia looked at him queerly She
started to say something, then bit her
lips and flushed a bit. You funny
infant!" she said instead.
Peter sat up. Say. I'm homely as
sin, and I'm a clumsy brute. in mind
as we'll as in body" said he. But
I'm not wholly bad, Felicia
Indeed you're not" she said.
sounds, indicative, if one were to judge
by the light on his face, of great and
uplifting joy.
DO you mean 1 have a show with |
you, Felicia?" he blurted out, leaning |
eagerly so far forward in the chair |
that he threatened to upset it. Say. |
I'm crazy about you, Felicia, and
fashion.
Peter. The very idea!' she said, |
with well-simulated horror. 'tYo on, an |
engaged man, talking to me like this |
'-Oh, thunder" said Peter, remem- |
bering what he had just been telling |
her. But, say. suppose it had been |
you out there on the boathouse piazza
last night. 1 repeat, supposing it had
been you; what-what would you |
have said ~
That's not fair"
We'll. fair or not, what would you
have said ?"
Il shan't answer"
Tell me you'd have turned me
down.
She said nothing
Peter got up and began to pace the |
porch with nervous strides.
IL he began stammeringly,
at length. Felicia, will you marry