The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-06
THE EVENING STORY
"Dream of Love-"
(By Jeanette Davidson.

Seated at an open pldIlO was a yOuhS
man whose slight figure looked boy1sn
in the gathering darkness. His glossy,
black hair was thrown back from q
broad, white brow, revealing race OF
rare sweetness and beauty.
At his side stood a woman gazing
at him with loving fondness. Placing
her hand ON his head, she gently forced
it back until their eyes met.
DO you realize, Anton, that tonight
will be the last time for ten long years
that we shall see each other? When
we do meet again you will look at things
through the eyes of maturity, and not
through the eyes of youth
ssSureIy I do, Mollie mine, said the
Young man, "and even though l do see
through the eyes of maturity, l SHAH
see you Just the same and shall want
to marry you just as 1 do now L am
not going away until you promise you
will marry me when 1 have made
name for myself"
mo, L shall not promise, she SAID.
you must go away perfectly free, In
ten years you will be only rs, Whlle am
now nearly that age"
"But what difference does that
maker" he impetuously broke in.
Don't I love you? You have been my
inspiration ever since l nave known
YOU. and the thought of you will urge
me on to do great tnlnSS Will lily oe
loved music.
His eyes were full of pleading, but
she was firm, although it nearly broke
her heart to think of his going. She
was afraid that difference of eight
years in their ages was TOO hlucn'
He played for her that evening as
he had never played before. She was
seated near the window, in her little
low chair. her hands clasped before her.
When the hour had become late, he
arose from the piano, and crossed the
room to where she was sitting. kneel-
ing before her, he took her race pe-
tween his palms.
ct leave on the early train tomorrow,
Mollie mine," he said. 1T will be years
and years before I see you again, but
7 shall come back to you.'
Leaning forward, she kissed him on
the lips, God care for you, boy, ana
give you health and success.
DAVIS weeks and months passed AT
first his letters had come often, ana
had breathed only of his love Tor
her,, She could scarcely remember OF
distinguish when the tone seemed to
change. but they finally became filled
with his hopes and ambitions, rather
than of his love. In later years sne
did not hear from him except at long
intervals
re his successful concert tours in for
eien lands. and, lately, Of his success
in the principal cities of the United
states. And now she would soon see
him. She had received letter saying
he would be at Shady Nook at that
evening.
She wondered If she would look mucn
older TO him. She scarcely dared hope
that he had remained true to her all
those years.
IT was twilight again and Mollie was
pacing back and forth, ner nanos ciasP-
ed behind her.
I'm one short hour he will be here.
Slowly passing into the room, she
pasued before a mirror. llme nao
dealt very kindly with her. she
looked few years older than sne oiu
ten years ago.
She was so intent upon her thoughts
that she did not hear soft footsteps on
the porch, and thence into the very
room in which she was standing:
Presently the sound of beautifully
nodulated chords reached her ears
Quickly turning she saw Anton
seated at the piano, and standing by
his side, beautiful, dark eyed young
girl.
Her heart beat to suffocation, and
things turned black before her eyes.
She wondered if she were going TO
faint. In an instant she realized that
Anton had bounded forward and had
taken both of her hands into his and
was kissing her, first on one cheek
and then on the other. She felt her
self drawn toward the piano as Anton
stretched forth hand to the beautltul
girl.
at is Nanette, Mollie. I know you
will love her.
Shyly the girls dark eyes looked up
into Mollies.
SO long" she said in sweet. gentle |
tones.
With an inward prayer for
strength, Mollie put her arm around
the young girl. At first, she won
dered If she could do it. Could she
kiss Anton's wife and take her to her
heart when her own love for him came
rushing over her with such over
whelming force as almost to crush
her? But the struggle was only for an
and she kissed the beautiful gorl from
the depths of her loving heart.
Come sit beside me on the sofa
Mollie nline,'' said Anton.
the blood came rushing to her face.
"How beautiful you are" he said.
still holding her hand. You must
hear Nanette play. I am so proud
of her"
His voice thrilled her. She had
not realized the depth of her love
for him.
Nanette seated herself at the piano
and let her hands run idly over the
keys Presently she drifted into
LISTS "Liebestraum.'
Mollie could bear it no longer.
Covering her face with her hands, her
form snook with silent soos. cihe
his arm about her waist and pressing
her to him Anton said:
''Mollie mine, you remember, don't
you? 1t is the music 1 played for you
years ago when 1 said would come
back I have kept my word, and
am here to claim you"
She gazed at him in bewilderment.I
But Nanette?'
Ct don't understand you, dear"
isn't she your wife % said Mollie.
Pressing her close to him, Anton
said: Didn't you get my letter Mol