The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-27
TIE EVENING Story
Engaged Pro Tenn.
(By Dorothy Douglas. }


would you mind very much, Miss
/ Mead, if asked you to become en-
/ gagged to me?'' Georgopulo had lean
ed forward from among his strange
rugs the better to look straight at
his companion
brought whimsical smile to the
| Greeks eyes. 1t did not, however con-
ceal the seriousness of his appeal.
| Anne laughed. The ship was only
four days out toward Naples. Five
| days before she and the man at her
side had been strangers.
/ "You are of course, joking?" she
queried.
No think I have never been
more serious in my life," Georgopulo
| told her, and sat back in his steamer
| chair.
| Anne drew in a sharp little breath,
| but the smile still lowered about her
lips. She was silent for a moment.
| But you have surely seen this. !"
! she said, and dragged the glove from
her left hand. ct am already-spoken
for" she ended, with a laugh, for
somehow the situation did not seem
serious.
| THAT is exactly the reason I have
| asked you," Georgopulo said. lie lean
ed forward again in his chair and
| looked frankly into Anne's eyes, that
land because I think you are a
genuinely good sport. You and L have
| spent the greater part of four days
| together. You would trust me under
all circumstances KNOW"
| Anne's eyes had grown serious.
! "Shipboard certainly does precipi-
tate friendship" she said. Then she
| laughed whole heartedly. "And
Auntie is as fond of you as I am"
| Georgopulo acknowledged her trib-
| ute with a smile.
"Then 'auntie' shall be taken into
our confidence. I will tell her that we
are engaged-and why
| Aunt Edith will be wiser than I
am Anne remarked.
II will inform you," said the Greek.
| His smile was peculiarly boyish and
appealing. Anne was more or less
glad that her heart was not hers
| to lose. 81 have asked you to pose
as my betrothed to save me from
| the fatk rs, uncles and brothers who
have manageable females in their
| families. If I am engaged I will cease
| to be prey. If not the moment 1 step
| into my native country I will be asked
| to meet dozens of girls whose dover
| will be expected to tempt me into
matrimony." Georgopulo's fine brows
drew together. His voice had taken
| on a hint of anger. 'It is obnoxious,
abominable, that the girls of our
country should be practically bought
and sold. I am a splendid mark be-
| cause I have built up a successful
| business in New York. Business de-
| mands that I go to Turkey once or
twice. a year to buy tobacco, and
naturally I stop in Patras to see my
parents" GeorgopuIo laughed wi1imsi-
cally. But my trip is always entirely
| spoiled by this element of marriage
| He stopped speaking and Anne laugh
ed merrily.
You poor boy" she exclaimed, .'but
| I think I understand. Other continent
tails have told me the same thing. am
only too glad to help you" She held
| out her engagement ring. cit is suf-
| fciently dazzling to attract attention.
| isn't it? But you must begin i'm
mediately by calling me .Anne'-Mil-
| ton," she said.
| You area better sport, even than
I thought, Anne laughed the Greek.
He stopped suddenly and turned to
| her. DO you realize that it means
| house and have dinner and be-pre-
sented as my future wife?''
| Il accept all the accessories of be-
ing engaged, gladly" said Anne.
| Aunt Edith and I are on pleasure
| bent and it does not matter whether
we go first to Athens and Patras or
| to Rome She looked straight into his
| eyes with q more or less hooking eX-
preston. "Only please remember, Mr..
-Milton-that you are in love with
me-
"And please remember Miss-Anne
that you are in love with me-" re-
torted Georgopulo. A sudden silence
| fell between them, then as quickly a
alughed followed. simultaneously they
exclaimed:
| I'VE must break the news to Aunt
Edith"
Edith Mead was not hard to ap-
proach. In fact, her eyes wore a
contented look as they followed her
niece and the aristocratic Greek
about the decks. Il am rather sorry
| a
| unused.
The remainder of the sea trip was
at least unique to both Anne and
| Milton. Many a time ringing laugh
| ter met the ears of fellow passengers
and set them to wondering what was
| happening between the Greek and the
American girl to cause SO much
amusement.
I'VE are having fun over our en-
gagement, pro tenn, are we not, Mil
| ton? If we were really engaged I
wouldn't enjoy calling you dearest half
| so much as I do now" Anne laughed.
pet names. We have known each
| other forever-he and T.
Perhaps you are right" assented
| Georgopulo. land for my own part /
exist I-e looked suddenly at her and
would have said more but she stop
ped him with her ready smile.
Remember" she admonished, you
promised not to love me-
The Greek responded to her smile.
ST am trying my best to keep the
promise, Anne"
1t was not until Anne had been pre-
scented to the Greeks father that
| things began to take on a different
| aspect. Domestic atmosphere was
rampant in the continental home and
Anne found herself engaged in earnest
and taken into an intimate family con-
versation that at times EN- barraSsed
both herself and Milton
But it was not until Minerva Pc
neus entered the drawing room that
things took on a more or less tragic
clnlad hack sob