The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-24
THE EVENING STORY
shirley's Strategy.
(By June Gahan.)

| (By June 6dlldII-J
When. Shirley Stentz, cool and sweet
/ in a soft white gown, appeared on thte
porch of the most popular hotel in
| Cedar Crest, heads were lifted from
over bridge tables and knitting nee
dies, for she was generally conceded
Z! to be the most interesting guest at the
mountain resort.
! 81 thought when Shirley's aunt died
in England and left her all that
! money it would turn her head 1t
would have affected any other poor
GIRL commented Mrs. Payne Gaines
graciously. :.
Shirley is most unusual girl.
| Her money has made no difference
except in her clothes. Nobody can
| deny that she has always known how
| to dress, and now that she has I'M
| limited means, she is the best
goWned woman / ever saw out of
Paris,' echoed Mrs. Oliver. 1t was
plain that the girl had friends among
the gossips.
'I wonder what Shirley will do
when Jack Houston appears today.
| He is here. I saw him go in and reg
| lister an hour ago.
Good looking fellow, isn't he? I
wonder what really happened to sepa-
rate them just before he went to At
RIGA or some other foreign placer"
His mother Influenced him, 1 be-
wanted him to marry Madeline Pan
hurst She had a fortune equal to
that of the Houstons."
81 don't put much faith in that
gossip. Jack is too fine man to
court girl and then drop her be-
cause she had no money. I am con-
fident that the cause of their separa-
ton was not a mercenary one.'
Jack Houston, big and brown from
exposure to wind and sun, saw and
L.,
where's Shirley Stentz? Some
body told me she was here. That's
why L came" was his startling an
nouncement when they had cordially
welcomed him.
Il think you will find her alone for
the first time since she arrived here.
She is probably down by Deep Rock
Spring. You remember the place,
Jack? We used to picnic there when
you were a little boy ventured Mrs.
Gaines.
'I suppose you have heard that
Shirley is an heiress now? We rather
fancy she will take a title" dared
Mrs. Oliver, watching the flush that
swept over the mans face at her
statement. t.Sne can. have her choice
of two of Europe's most sought after
noblemen.''
IAN heiress? What do you mean %
Haven't you heard that Shirley's
aunt died nearly two years ago and
mo. I haven't heard any gossip
from home in months. I am glad for
Shirley. She deserves everything good
in life 80
He turned and went back into the
hotel He walked as if he had grown
suddenly very tired and old. There
was no train for four hours, and
when he found the air in his room
sitting he pulled a soft gray hat we'll
over his eyes and went out to find
the trail that wound its sinuous way
across the top of the mountain.
Somewhere along that cool, green
trail he and Shirley had played at
keeping house when he Wore short
trousers and Shirley found her stiff
white skirts and blue sashes much
in her way when she made mud pies.
Later they had plighted their troth
by the old stone that years before
had held their household treasures
They had planned a real home there
by the scene of their childish dream.
"Is it really you, Shirley, or just
some ghost risen to laugh at me-?
demanded Jack when he came upon
her sitting on the old stone and look |
ing out across the deep valley where |
river threaded its silver way.
Il am flesh and blood, and more |
than glad to see you again. You must
have had glorious trip. You have
been away two years"
t'It seems a hundred now when
look at you, Shirley. You are even |
prettier than I remembered. They
tell me you have had great fortune
left YOU
yes Aunt Patricia made me an
heiress.''
And 1 also hear that somebody |
else is to make you a countess"
That said Shirley. lis a great
mistake. / am in love with a plain
not plain, Jack, he is real
ly handsome"
so YOU are in lovei"
Yes Shirley nodded, smiling, her
face grown pink the wild roses that
beside the stone. Il am in
love-
rs he here in the mountains"
Yes said Shirley again. '-I will
show him to you tonight"
You must make it sooner than
that. l am leaving on the SAB
f'Why, Jack, you came only an hour
ago. Have you had news-bad news :"
Yes. bad news for me-"
rs there anything I can do? What
is the matter?"
Il, foolishly perhaps, dreamed
dream after your letter reached me
the first outgoing ship and simply
tore up things in my effort to get to
the coast. The rest of my story VIII
sadden you, and now that you are
happy I am not willing to take
chance
Il don't understand" said Shirley,
quietly.
"Show me the man you love this
afternoon"
Promise me- urged the girl, dim
bling prettiIy. that you will stay over
-or the dance tonight I have some
hing to tell you
More about the man? Please don't,
Shirley. 1t hurts"
"Give me your promise true
sang a happy young voice at his ear
You have always had my promise
rue, and you know it too well to ask
lgain / will stay until the late train.
can't deny you anything"
n ir1a -hnY -r1ir r, y