The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-09
TIE EVENING STORY
Bachelor Bob,
(Bv Catherine Coope

| Robert Glider was writer of fic.
ton, and as a writer he felt priv
| legged to hold ideas of his own.
To the oft-repeated question, "Why
| do you not marry and establish
homer he invariably made the same
| answer:
Marriage would simply kill, murder
l-inspiration. What would become Of
my glorious book-ladies if they were
| constantly thrown into the background
by a blood-and-b heroine in the
way of a wife? Why, Colder always
! accompanied his exclamation with al
! indignant toss of his heavy chestnut
hair) they would flee! No beautiful
golden-haired heroine could speak pas
sionate love appeals to me if she fell
the curious eyes of my wife constantly
upon her-always made to feel thai
material association preceded visionary
| IDEALS
And because the populace of the tiny
village in which Gilbert had made his
home was not visionary they continued
| to angle for the good looking writer
Manageable daughters tried to pull
him into the net of matrimony.
Bachelor Bob, as he had been called
only smiled and continued his evidently
happy way. He Joined gayly in the
village amusements in the way OF
dances, picnics and dinners, always
singing out some bit of the feminine
world for especial attention and al
ways selecting another bit for the next
occasion.
From time to time vague rumors were
afloat in the village air. Glider had
been seen strolling in the twilight with
girl or he had sent red roses to
Eileen O'Craig. In fact, the slip OF
an Irish girl with her laughing blue
eyes and her dimples seemed at times
to have stirred the fire of love in the
writer's breast and again it was Peggy
Danvers toward whom he swayed.
And through several summers Cos
sip wagged from tongue to ear and Gil
bert wrote and wrote-stories, novels
and even a play.
But it was not until the arrival OF
the villain, in the person of John
vane that actual trouble began. He
was good to look upon, daring and a
trifle INSCRIPTIONS regarding the win
ming of a woman.
From the first he had fallen beneath
the charm in Eileen O'Craig's eyes.
Eileen did not exactly encourage him
yet her dimples fitted about when he
came upon the scene and her cheeks
took on an unwonted flush.
ct will get her If I have to carry her
off by force from that longhaired poet"
Vane had muttered upon seeing Eileen
in the arms of Bachelor Bob at one of
the dances.
Glider, on his part, went his way re-
joicing He did not, by so much as
the clenching of a jaw, give rise to
the impression that jealousy was con-
Stunning him. He only smiled the Pc
culiar smile that was more or less ir-
ritating in its suggestion of hidden and
detached joy.
The village sat up and began to
take an even keener interest in the
affairs of Bachelor Bob than had al
ready been taken. There were some
who resented the intrusion of John
Vane. while others rejoiced, thinking
perhaps it might awaken Glider to the
possibility of stranger who might
snatch the prize from beneath his eyes.
For Eileen O'Craig was undoubtedly the
rarest flower in the garden. But there
was always an unanswered question:
would Bachelor Bob care if an
other man won the heart of Eileen?"
A few weeks passed and the rolling
stone of gossip grew to ugly proper
tions rumor, connecting the names
of Glider and Eileen was whispered
about.
Those who favored vane listened with
open ears. Those who resented him
closed their ears and disliked him the
more.
dens that skirted the property and enter
elders library" Gossip's tongue wagged
eloquently, land it was after 10 O'Clock
at night"
Naturally enough the two concerned
were kept in blissful ignorance of the
story that was fast circulating through
out the village. Eileen had refused John
Vane for the third time, and she was less
interested in his watchful eyes than she
might well have been.
But the scowl that brooded in Vane's
eyes BODIED i'll for those who thwarted
him.
her garden until catch her leaving him,
he rluttered, and took up his position for
the evening watch
1t was perhaps $50 before Eileen threw
reading After that she flung on long
dark cloak, put the manuscript within its
ample pocket and tripped out into the
moonless night. Her footsteps were light
gasps. She felt suddenly fearful, as If she
were being pursued, and when she tapped
at the windows that opened swiftly to ad-
NIT her she was trembling.
''Darlingr' Glider had taken her close
in his arms, you are trembling with
fright I forbid you to come through
those woods alone'' he told her tenderly,
and kissed her lips and eyes and hair
When she looked up and smiled into his
eyes her fears had gone, and he seated
her in his big chair by the writing desk.
Eileen drew him down on the arm be-
side her.
Il want you right here-where I can
touch you" she said, and cropped ner
is the best of ALL" she told him with
little proud smile
THAT demon of jealousy has prodded
me on" he replied with a smile.
He proposed for the third time today,
she said
And you refused him?'' questioned
Bachelor Bob with a laugh
-'Since I do not want to commit bigamy
-yes-Oh! Bobby, what was that?' She