The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-10

lege. Somewhere among the thinxs
treasured in his desk now there was q
little reddish curl, clipped just above
cu1ed his ears for stealing it, too.
And there had followed more.
Now, isn't that nice % Sue said.
happily. Carlotta had come out on
deck again. You did frighten the
child awfully. Funny. you frighten
everyone little bit. excepting me. "
why did you coax me up here ?"
demanded the major. TITS no use
pleading for Don Travere He has
acted outside the bounds Of honor
and s
You dear old .silly thing" Sue said.
slowly. And you say 1t as II you
, meant it. Don IL just twenty-five, and
Carlotta twenty. isn't she? And
you talk of them acting outside the
bounds of honor I've got a letter
! from you, Tommy Neverson, where
you begged me to elope with you after
father had forbidden you to como
near me. You planned the Whole at
fair. was to come to town shopping
with maid. and tell her 1 had an
engagement for luncheon with Aunt
Roxana - remember dear old Aunt
ROXY. who thought you were adora-
Die! Then we were to be married at
| once. and take the first outgoing
steamer for Italy, or some haunt Of
| eternal Love-
You've got that letter still, Sue 90
The majors eyebrows were raised in
terested1y. I've got the answer to it.
Why didn't you come ?''
Because" Sue Winthrop measured
her words. Il didn't have the courage
that little girl yonder has. was bound
by convention and afraid of father. and
let the man I loved slip away from
me. Oh. I don't mind saying It to you
one bit. major. il 1t can help Don now.
You've rather forgotten what It means
| to be in love. haven't you. Just how you
felt when you wrote that letter to me,
and waited for me? I was to leave the
ol0 Fifth avenue stage at Madison
square. and you were to meet me and
take me to the little church that stands
back in its gardens"
Bless me. Sue. don't cry, dear There,
there" The major put mis- arm around
the slender. graceful shoulders. and
patted her. 81 should have followed
you. and carried you on"
II was sure you'd understand IL you
just thought back. Last night Carlotta
looked wonderful. She has your eyee
and charm, and poor Don was half mad
with dread that she would slip away
from him. Tess said you were going to
take them both abroad in September
And his yacht lay down in the harbor
pa ked lot of my clothes for her-we
are just of q sixe-until she could gel
her own. and we set. sail for New Lon
don arol I'd 2 in the morning. They
were married just after breakfast. and
left them holding hands on the doch
when caught the steamer over here
I've got a cottage. you know. here over
on the bluffs. and they're going to stay
up there for few days. I'm just going
to make them comfortable, and Their
run back to Newport
The major pursed his lips and unused
leaning on the carved ivory handle Of
the black and white umbrella.
Sue" he Eaid, finally. I'm an ole
| chump. I lost you once through no
chasing you Let the youngsters go vi
to their honeymoon cottage, and yOl
come back to New London on the zach
with me and get married. I'm not goinl
to let a boy teach me how to wing thu
bird of happiness
She smiled up at him, a world OF un.
Outstanding in her eyes. Of amusement
mingled with ssympathy and love.sDowr
on thu deck Of the yacht cariotta was
signalling to them.
They're anxious to get up to the cot
tage." said Sue. II think we had better
go on board
The major looked at his watch. "Got
bless them BOTH" he said fervently
"We'n make New London about 1850. -
IT'S fearfully sudden, Tom.'
SUDDEN The major leaned back hi.
head and laughed. AFTER twenty years
lotta.''
"Pve been looking at her and envy
ing her for hours" answered the littIt
widow. I'll go. Tom."-(Copyright
1914, by the Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate.)