The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-03
The EVENING STORY
Open Windows.
Ry Temple Bailey.)

Rogers, who sold in her gift shop all
the products of Phoebe's skilled stitch
cry.
You ought to get out more. Phoe-
be, said Mrs Rogers. Its gay
enough in summer, when all of the
people are at the hotelsa You could
sit on the porch in the evening and
watch the dancing, or there's tennis
and golf. everybody is welcome to tea
at the country club"
"Oh, but 1 wouldn't think of going!"
said Phoebe, shrinking. i've just
lived here in the village, Mrs. Rogers,
all my life, and I'm thirty-five, and I
feel as if I were intruding, a quiet
little thing like me-"
We'll, you don't look thirty-five,'
said practical Mrs. Rogers, as she laid
in piles the delicate aprons that Phoebe
. had embroidered. eff you'd put on one
OF those pretty dresses you've made to
sell, you'd look like different crea-
ture."
"Me?" Phoebe started in surprise.
Il don't see why you couldn't" said
Mrs. Rogers.
TT would be terribly extravagant,"
said Phoebe. You see since mother
died, it's all can do to pay the taxes
on my little house. Mother had a PEN
sion and that helped
You oughtn't to live alone" said
Mrs. Rogers decidedly.
IT haven't any one to live with" said
Phoebe.
Then get married" Mrs. Rogers's
eyes sparkled merrily.
Phoebe's little face grew scarlet.
'Oh, 1 couldn't"
Something in her voice made RS.
Rogers ask, softly, WAS there ever
any one, Phoebe?''
Yes" Phoebe whispered, ''but
mother didn't like him, and he-went
away"
She went back to her little house at
the crossroads. From her window she
could see the wide green lawns of the
big hotel. The tennis courts were too
far away for her to watch the play,
but she liked the animated picture of
the figures moving swiftly in the ardor
of the game. She could see the red
flags which marked the holes on the
golf course, and the gay awnings of
the country club. 1t was a life from
which she was shut out, but she loved
it.
p AS she sewed steadily that afternoon,
there came often into her thoughts the
suggestion that Mrs. Rogers had made.
Why not wear a white gown? Why
not be young for once?
But she put the thought from her,
and sat there, stitching. Her hair,
slightly gray, was stretched back
tightly from her forehead; he had a
little plaid shawl about her shoulders.
She sewed until the twilight began to
fall, then went out into her garden
She loved to dig among her roses when
the darkness hid her from the passing
crowd
AS she knelt by the hundred-leaved
bush, a voice said, Shes probably
married. haven't dared ask-I passed
the other day and saw stranger sew
ing by the open window"
Phoebe's hand went to her heart. She
stood up, gazing with startled eyes in
to the shadows.
little gate. They were summer visitors
Phoebe knew that by the fashionable
silhouettes against the brighter sky
beyond
But the voice which had spoken was
the voice of the man who had loved
her and who had gone away.
He had said. ct passed the open win
dow-and saw a stranger sewing
Was she so changed as that? She
wanted to cry, II am the Phoebe you
once loved SO well-and who is this
other woman?''
They passed on, and she fled to the
shelter of her lonely little house.
There she faced a mirror. She was
old.
Phoebe snatched up from the bed
dress which she had almost finished. 1t
was a soft, clinging thing of finest en- !
bToidered white. The girdle was of rose
color. There was round, low neck, and
the sleeves were short. She held it up to
her and, liking the effect, laid it down
and began feverishly to comb her hair 1t
was long and shining. She piled it high.
as She had seen the women from the hotel
wear theirs. The little curls fell down on
her forehead and over her ears, giving the
up-to-date oval to her face. She bathed
her face and arms in warm water, and
then came forth rosy. Then she donned
the gown.
radiant vision s'Oh,'' she said and
at her reflection in the glass. +
"Oh, Phoebe-you're darling!'
TTr7erf tai in he q
wedding slippers. They had grown yellow
with age. but they fitted perfectly
Phoebe flew up the road to Mrs. Rogers.
Are you going to watch the dancing
she asked as she pe9ped into be ehe shop oer
hands in amazement. II hardly knew t
you, you look twenty years younger
Pm going to be young-just for to-
''Ill be ready in a minute said busy
Mrs. Rogers.
took a conspicuous seat in the wide cor
ridor of the hotel, leading to the ball
room. The chair that she chose was
high carved one, and made picturesque
setting for her beauty. They could see
floor and came down the corridor. Phoeoe
caught her breath. do you know-that
Mrs. Rogers nodded Hes very rich,
and a bachelor. They say he's engaged to
the girl he's dancing with"
1t was the girl with whom he had stood
at Phoebe's gate. She was very hand
some, but there was something hard
about her face.
Phoebe shuddered, 81 wonder If he is
really in love with her?''
Mrs. Rogers shrugged. She has as
much money as he
Marriage did not have mercenary
meaning to little Phoebe. The boy she re-
nembered had believed in love-
"Oh, let's go home" she said, suddenly.
Mrs. Rogers stared at her in surprise
Il thought you liked IT." she said, but,
Of course. we can CO.
Phoebe stood up. The couple she had
been watching stopped dancing, left the
lor and came down the corridor. Phoebe
caught Mrs. Rogers arm. Come" sic
said. come quickly
My dear child are you fll2'' Mrs.