The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-18
1M EVENING STORY


An Enc0uGaged ElOpement.
(By John Darling.)
AExad. sir, but I'd like to zee IT,
ut II the wish Of my heart
..Roland II q young man to be proud
And Leone is simply charming!"
It was Judge Bellair and MAJOR
Hardy, and they were sitting unoer
an apple tree on a June day IN tine
latter.e orchard. They owned ad1o1n-
inc estafea and had been friends for
years
Leone Hardy was the daughter ana
only child of the major. She was now
| 10 years old, and an aunt had been
her chaperon and her fathers house,
keeper since the death OF her motneF.
Roland Bellaire was the son and the
only child Of the judge. He was OF
age and nearly through with college,.
They were scarcely more than cnfl-
dren. these two, when they first be-
came acquainted. and had grown up
the best Of friends. They had argued
and disputed and quarreled and made
| up dozens Of times. and dozens OF
times each father had exclaimed TO
himself:
why. they are brother and sister
to each other!"
Anu UOW SuO eWO AAAOAAs 1A~eAA
| the middle age, and bot supposed 70
have studied human nature. hoped
that q marriage could be brought
about between them. Not once In ten
thousand times does it come to pass.
i've been wondering a bit, major.
| II we could do anything to help the
match along.'' remarked the Judge.
"Egad, but I'm q bit troubled about
it, was the reply.
There has been a young man CALL
ing at the house more frequently than
like"
But Miss Leone would naturally
have callers"
Sure. judee-sure; but she doesn't
blush when they are announced-only
In this one case"
And, major, how would you inter-
pref that jolush?''
That's my. trouble sir. A girl may
blush with indignation; she may blush
with excitement; she may blush with
anticipation: she may blush with sur
prise, Or"
60 on. major.''
''or. egad. sir, she may blush with
happiness!''
And you think"
II don't think. judge-I know that
she bushes when that young scamp's
card IL sent in!''
And at no other times?''
Not that have remarked"
You have called him q young
scamp. Haven't you been introduced
to him? Don't you know him to be all
right?"
''oh. he's respectable and all that:
out he's not my kind. I believe he's
partner in q nrm Of architects in
the city" - $40
.'Um!'' said the Judge. ?
Um!" said the major.
AND each went his way, shaking
his head in a solemn way and saving
to himself that it was a sad case-very
sad.
Roland Bellaire was a frequent cali
er at Major Hardy's. He had AWAY.
been welcomed. He and Miss Leone
sang songs together, played games on
the lawn. rowed, fished and visited.
!ney talked OF many things, but they
olo not TAX OF love. With the feeling
OF brother toward her, the young man
admitted that there was a young lady
IN the case. He even showed her a
photograph and praised her beauty.
And the majors daughter spoke of
| tecs OF the city. with a charming blush.
And those two fathers-those two
| male idiots. were preparing a plot
worthy of boys ten years old.
The Judge had spoken to Roland
as II his marriage with Miss Leone
Hardy was a settled thing, and even
named the size Of the check he would
give the happy couple to make their
tour of Europe on.
The major had spoken to Miss
Leone about what might happen when
Roland became his son-in-law. and
thrown out hint that lie didn't favor
long engagements.
Both young people had passed the
matter by with seeming indifference.
Inc judge and the major held another
convention under the apple tree, and
the judge whispered the words:
7 can't make it out. ma1o|
| can't"
Nor I. Judge. nor IT,
Roland didn't seem to enthuse at
And I'll be hanged, SIR II NV
oaughter didn't fairly nod In sleep
subject >-S
What can we infer, major?s was
asked after awhile.
That there's a lack of romance
It's too cut-and-dried. We've GOT to
plan TOT romance. sir. for romance"
But your daughter cannot tan off
q cli6. There isn'4 one withfn q hun-
dred miles Of u.s.
sRoland cannot break an arm or a
leg. "
Then-then, sir-then what can
be done? Sir. you are . man Of war.
xou nave charged the enemy. You
ought to have plan"
Il have got one." replied the major
With . smile Of relief You ana I
must apparently have q failing out
over politics. I must call you & biRot
ana you must call me = 1acka.e