The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-06
THE EVENING STORY
Observation-Disclosures.

faithful eyes.
Then You do not love me. Mary? %
ne said in a hopeless, tired voice
Wary turned abruptly toward him
anu spoke rapidly, nervously. why,
1ack, I've never even thought of such
thlng, short laugh echoed
through her words You have al
ways seemed to think as much of Kate
me-"
might have known your refusal
was a foregone conclusion" put in
JACK quietly. $50 I will not press the
tnatter further. You and I have
oeen thrown together enough for YOU
to realize just where 1 stand in your
aHectlons He rose and extended his
nand. Forget this little incident,
mary and our friendship will con-
tlnue. as BEFORE
shght frown puckered the girls
prov, whether from pique or a
sense OF indecision she knew not. She
rose and gave him her hand, but there
was lack of old time warmth in her
ilnsers. 1t was as if they were shak-
ing hands for the first time.
When he had gone Mary sank into
cnalr and her eyes remained fixed.
NOW, why in this broad, green
earth has Jack singled me out of all
the girls? He is the best friend a
giri could have, but as for marrying
n1m- Mary laughed a lame little
iaugh; 1t was but an echo of her
nanitual joyous outburst. He is too
oenperate and unromantic. Besides,
glri would have to have the patience
or JOB as we'll as the energy of Turk
JACK IS so perfectly insane on the
subject of entertaining his friends
Mary let fall a regretful sigh. Per-
maps Jacks genial companionship was
d Ining OF the past For meat
least' she ended and realized that she
would envy that privilege Kate and
Mabel and Julia retained.
When Mabel telephoned, later in the
DAY, to get her receipt for a favorite
layer cake which they were going to
bake for Jacks birthday. she was sur
prised at the sense of irritation that
came over her.
1 will give you the recipes' Mary
said over the telephone, but I have
changed my mind about going to his
party tonight"
The surprise in Mabel's voice at the
other end of the line brought guilty
flush to Mary's cheeks. She was un-
usually peevish to her dearest friend.
When she had hung up the receiver
she was sorry for her hasty and un-
premeditated refusal
They Will have a dandy time she
signed. Jack always knows how to
make people enjoy themselves I can
at least go over to brother Henry's
and watch the party from his win
dow
In the evening a forlorn figure sat
IN the darkened room of brother
Henrys' apartment. Fortunately for
her lone watch Mary's brother had
gone out and she was left to witness
the festivities in Jack 'Thompson's
bachelor suite. There was a distance
of but twenty-five feet between the
windows.
Later when she heard the CHEEKY
when they arrived, Mary felt that
her absence was the one discordant
note in an otherwise harmonious
evening.
AS she watched and listened it
dawned upon her with compelling force
that her self-innposed martyrdom was
not only selfish in the extreme but
also a bar to her own happiness.
Il want to be there she told her
self with a little twisted smile. am
one of Jacks friends"
During the next hour she felt very
much like a spirit joining in that
happy throng. She was there. vet not
there That they were having a splen-
did evening was evident from the peals
Of laughter that rang out across the
court Jacks laugh was frequent and,
it seemed to Mary, spontaneous.
But friendship is gifted with keen
eyes, and those who knew and loved
Jack Thompson discerned the shadow
behind his laughing eyes and the break ;
in his laughter. Perhaps for that rea-
son the gayety was exaggerated. One
and all seemed willing to aid Jack in
his endeavor to enact a different role
Il don't think Jack cares for me one
Bit" sighed Mary. and was not aware
that the realization hurt. My abb
sence doesn't seem to have the slight
est effect on his pleasure. After all
am not a very important person."
At that moment Mary leaned for
wa I the better to hear the converse
ton of Mabel and Julia. They had
entered the small room adjoining the
dining room in order to make the ne
cessary sartorial touches before enjoy
ing Jacks special brand of rarebit
whats up with Mary that she did
not come?' Julia asked. do you
think anything has happened-be- /
tween her and -ack?"
Mary Johnson leaned forward nd
caught a swift breath.
well" Mabel returned, ct have !
thought lately that Jack was sort of
leaning a little toward Mary
ct think he had better lean a little
in some other direction commented
Julia. Mary is the last person in the
world to make Jack happy She never
could entertain all his friends for him. I
think any of us would suit him just |,
as well, if not better
I'VE at least turn up at his birthday !
parties" laughed Mabel.
The listening girl, who was the sub
ject of the discourse, felt a wave of hot |
sweep her off her feet. She
arose.
CATS she cried half Historically J
So-that is their opinion of me-is it?
will just show them who will make
Jack the best wife, |
1t was in the middle of a toast to !
Jack and chorus of He's a Jolly Good
Fellow that an imperious peal a the
ioorben sounded. 1t was followed by
the entrance of flame-cheeked hurri- :
cane which made straight for Jack
Thompson and precipitated itself into /
his arms.
Nary came from all surprised :
lips.