The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-06
THE EVENING STORY
Thirty Minutes of Grace.
(By Richard Barker SheItoH'I
11n1nr i,,rrnned off the front plat

(By Richard Barker Shelton-'
Kaler Jumped off the front plat
form before the train had come to a
stop. tore up the platform, all but
upsetting an unwary old gentleman
who stepped in his way, apologlzed
over his shoulder, tumbled headlons
into taxi and beloved an ADDRESS
and an offer of bonus Tor preakihs
a. few speed laws to the chauffeur
Then he fidgeted about on the
cushions until the cab drew up at the
curb and he tore up a flight OF steps
and gave a strident ring at the door
bell. 49, ~.
card and found him a chair in the
upset front room. ou
An about were boxes and crates
and bundles of rugs: in burlap. + me
windows were guiltless of either
shades or draperies. A great pile OF
loose ashes in the bare fireplace tolo
of the recent burning OF useless
things there.
the hare front stairs, and his name
was spoken very softly, almost
timidly.
He Jumped to his feet. running
forward to catch both the Err >
hands were rather cold and that they
trembled within his own. He could
have blessed them for that
II wrote you goodby, jack salo
the girl. ct .o+ tho let
fer at camp. Last night, it was. I
padded with two guides down 20
Still river. There L got q car anu
drove forty miles to Reni LOT I'm I'm
ton I made the express py the shih
of NV teeth. and here L am.
She smiled, he thought bit sadly.
ut was quite useless-all tnat lFou-
0'e aMaTbe." said he grinly, like a
,,o- I,ybo SDeal<S of defeat, but Will
TT is ali settled. You see we are.
giving up the house here.
He looked. about him. Ills ups
us it ali settled?'' he questioned
she nodded. I'VE are leaving in
half an hour. :,
He pulled out his watch Then ne
Iooi.ed at the girl She was in gray
travelling gown. She even had her
hat on. - of
$50 [ have thirty minutes VI
grace" he said: con grant Won
'Thank you 1t will be quite
enough" he said.
you care for him?" he began
The girl lifted her eyebrows. OF
course" she said.
"Of course not" he snapped vehem-
emily. Don't dare to tell me that
You don't care for him. You don't even
care for his money. You are doing TINS
thing because you think it your duty.
Duty! Bah!'
Five of your thirty minutes gone
she reminded him.
TN make better use of the other
twenty-five." said he grimly. isn't it
YOUR duty to be happy?"
Il shall be-
He made a grimace- "Oh, yes, your
he very happy. You'll sit in high
I,oX that
money can buy or heart can wish But
You'll think often of long, dusty road,
and a little wheeling old two-cylinder
road car, and a certain little country
inn down Petersham way. and
DON'T" she said so sharply that he
started violently.
He bit his lips to hide smile of
ST won't think of them-ever-ever-
overt, she cried Nor of you-never!
Eyes. you will-just as 1 shall think
of YOU L can't help it. Neither can
YOU. I took it calmly when you told
me- vour plans 1 let you take off the
rino and give it back to me. l said
I'd go away and forget you. 1t seemed
host all round. You wanted things L
couldn't give you-money, position ana
all that 1 thought you honestly want
ed them more than anything else IN
the world But when the real test
-
go abroad Thursday to be rlarried.
made up my mind to run down here |
and make sure you would be happy be-
fore / gave you up foreve--. L know |
now YOU won't be happy. You told me |
so when you wouldn't let me talk about |
the ripping times we had to3ether be- |
fore
.sDon'tr' she said.
.sThere you go again. said he How |
is if going to be afterward when it's too |
late? If you can't think of them now.
how about them"
II shall never think of Them she !
said in a queer. shaking voice.
II think you WILL said he. |
She turned away. Then she faced |
him with a hard light in her eyes.
.You are wicked-wicked to come here |
and taunt me like this and toto make |
If so hard for me- she flared at him.
I'm just trying to make 1T easy, dear i
.easv for both of u.s." said he. I'm
trying to show you your own mind
that you care more for what has been
than what is to be-"
She turned away her head again.
ITS too late now. It's got to be as
It is
He said nothing for time Then he
spoke slowly.
You are of age. There is a taxi
waiting at the door. There is a regis [
try bureau open downtown. There is a
rector who is friend of mine. There