The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-04


walked over and asked to sit with her.
She rather grudgingly permitted him.
She had not yet ordered and he coax
ed her into being his guest for the
time-she seemed too tired to demur.
80 he had his way. But she ate with
small appetite the good. hearty food
he ordered. and his anxiety for her
rose again.
After they had finished he stepped
into the street with her. Are you too
tired to walk home? May ! go with
your" He was eager as a boy.
She hesitated a moment "Oh. II
you like" she said. as IL she no longer
cared what happened.
They swung along the streets be-
meath trees that were now budding
into faint green. through groups Of
children playing on the sidewalks. The
sum was setting, and they sauntered
slowly. He began talking brightly,
hoping to amuse her. and soon he had
that reward for effort, he continued
brightly.
''You know" he said, 'sthat I was
brought up in the country? It's tho
time that spring gets in my blood; II
now. I ought to go. anyway. My
father il getting old. and my sisters
going to be married. She's been keep
ing house for him. It's pretty on the
little old farm now. I wish you'd go
a
get really rested. Would you got"
She did not answer at once. They
had strayed into a little park and he
had been looking about boyishly. He
was queerly happy. Now he turned
sharply to look at her and saw that
her face was as white as chalk. He
took her arm to steady her. and in q
moment had her beside him on the
nearest seat
''Steady!" he said bracingly. you're
Aspar ~ "a
all right. you know. I'll look after
you" His voice encouraged her.
She half closed her eyes a few mo-
ments. Then she sat up YEARLY and
withdrew from his support-she had
been half-leaning against his arm.
Something flew to his head and he
turned on her.
What makes you hate me So
Would you mind telling me?" His
voice was savage with hurt. "Is it
anything do, or il 1t simply what
am? II love you. you know. You
me what ails me. I want to take
care of you. If you'd stop hating the
sight and touch of me-if you'd try.
perhaps you'd learn to like me a little
That would be fair; it would be CIV
ing me a chance. Elsie, why is 1t
that from the first you would have
nothing to do with me? You owe 1t
W me ~ tcll me. OOu HlluO Ueiu8
brutal" He stopped as suddenly as
he had begun. A curious new light
came into her eyes.
"1-never hated you," she said. as
II the words came hard.
What in heavens name makes you
treat me SO, then?'
Twas afraid" she hesitated.
Afraid of what? Tell mel" His
tone exacted obedience.
"T-knoW fror, Tho fret thof vo,r
could-make me care" She drew a
deep breath. IT didn't want to-care
tor you. And 1 despised you a little
for being an indoors man. Girls have
to take their fate-but always
thought a man belonged in the open
that he'd better be at some man
size job. instead Of handling women's
clothes. 1t made me mad to see
you"
But yeu do care noss ?" His voice
was eager; he stopped over her. his
foce alight. Elsie, If you love me
only little, I'll make you love more!
Marry me and we'll go to the farm
you do love me a nttle?" A certain
and live outdoors. Won't you? Say
ing. Life seemed a lovely thing to him
then.
She suddenly rose and shook her.
self. half laughing, half crying.
oh" she said, .'if we don't go on
now shall do something foolish.
Couldn't you see that I cared? tried
not to let you see. but 1t was hard
work! 1 wondered when you were
going to wake up and see that I loved
you" He was at her side now in the
soft spring dusk. his hand closing
over hers as they walked.
I'm awake now, dearest" he said
5oyfully.-(Copyright 1914. by the Nc
Clure Newspaper Syndicate.)