The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-19
THE EVENING STORY
The Last Figure.

(By Martha McCulloch- Williams)
Andre knew his work was cut out
for him the minute he saw Dekane
bending over Milicent Her head
showed in profile, but he noted a flush
on the cheek, noted also how hard she
was holding Aunt Maria's old ivory
fan. He wondered DULY how she
dared so to grip it-knowing she had
it safe, being precious. Aunt Maria
lived in the splendid past; since it suf-
feed for her, she was impatient it did
not also suffice for her niece.
Impersonally Aunt Maria held that
Milicent ought to marry in such a
way as to restore the family for
tunes. Concretely she was altogether
opposed to such outgoings and incom-
ings as might make marriage possible.
Milicent could not look the part of a
Ledwith-therefore she should sit by
the fire, in wait for her fairy prince.
Andre, poor lad, was no part of
fairy prince-therefore Aunt Maria
had permitted him. Milicent was not
for him, not for his likes. If he were
simple enough, knowing that, to waste
time, money and affection on her,
that was altogether his own affair.
His own affair Andre was quite con-
tent to have it. In another year at
most, when he had his third step
upward toward a partnership in the
firm, his mind was made up to marry
Milicent. Her consent he took for
granted-not without reason = and
now behold! this upsetting Dekane!
Mentally he was lightweight, but
his purse made up for that by an
exceeding heaviness. He was, more
over, fair looking, decently hammered
and very very much in love. Mill
cent had swept him off his feet in
their very first waltz-since then he
had bombarded her with flowers,
books, bonbons though he was sin
gularly shy in calling at her house.
Aunt Maria, indeed, had seen him
only twice. But inquiry through GER
tain, if secret, sources made her sure
of his wealth, even before her eyes
made sure he was neither a boor nor
an ogre. Consequently she regarded
him, after sort, as a direct answer
be we'll matched, without the trouble
of showing off her beauty.
Andre did not know it, but she had
actually offered the fan, also the
cobwebby yellow lace that shrouded
modestly her perfect shoulders. Mill
cent was wonderfully beautiful, her
fine small head crowned with braids
of dusky silk, rising up like a flower
from an ivory chalice. Her eyes
heavily black dashed, shone like deep
blue stars: the quick scarlet. leaping
and fluttering in her cheeks, was
outdone by the glowing and perfect
lips. Little gilded slippers peeped
out below the scant white skirt.
golden toe, softly patter-it was
against all rule. all convention, but
with two strides he was beside her,
saying gayly: mo music to waste.
Come! You know you always dance
with me-first, last and all the time"
the last words half under breath.
eff you please am Miss Led
with's partner Dekane began, but got
no farther. Andre had whirled Mill
cent we'll out of earshot.
l.; %1f, II <r1o 1,r4i
said nothing until they paused, pant
ing to catch breath at the far end of
the ballroom. Then in quick gaspS ii |
all came out-her extremity, her
Under Establishments of
a plausible scoundrel Aunt Maria had
invested their whole capital in wildcat
stocks, then mortgaged the /
HON estead to pay "assessme nts." Yes
terday, wheI. the crash had come. she /
had risen in a sort of frozen. despair |
and added: "Dekane wants to marry |
you as soon as ever he gets his di-
vorce. He will not apply for it unless
YOU accept him beforehand. That may |
be a little irregular. but he is perfect
ly Straightforward about it, He will
see you at the Merton dance. know
ing that you know. Show him you
are willing-it is the only way of es-
cane from starvation or suicide
Andre had drawn her into an al
cove as soon as he sensed the crisis |
now he put his arms openly around |
her, saying with his lips on her hair:
s'She is-mistaken. I am very much
alive-and wholly manageable. Di-
vorces are a bit tedious you know
YOU might easily starve while you
waited.
Milicent put her hands over her face
he saw her bosom heave with dry
choking sobs. DO you-think lean
let you-marry me-out of pity?' she
asked.
Andre smiled. 81 do not" he said
promptly. "But-you can marry be-
cause you have the very bad taste
to love-just plain Andre Farquhar-
who hardly knows there is another girl
in the world
e.She-she will never let me!' Mil
cent murmured. She had grown very
white strangely quiet. II owe her
She took me a baby, with
hardly changing clothes-she has done
right by me, according to her lights
go against her-her mind
IS made up
80 is mine Andre said decidedly
Dekane was coming in search or
-hem-Milicent did not see him, but
Andre. facing the ballroom, was aware
If his approach. Instead of frownfng
lpon his rival as Dekane parted the
curtains, he smiled at him. dropped an
arm again about Milicent and said
airily Just the man 1 want to see-j
you look like a first-class conspirator"
Pardon mel don't quite under
stand Dekane began frigidly, max
ng to draw back.
Andre caught his arm. Naturally