The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-01
the EVENING S7ORY
Bettyss Brousham-
(By Dorothy Douglas.)

Bettyse Br0uGhnm.
Ry Dorothy Douglas)
n David Graham had Lost many nights
of sleep bordering over the decision Of
q suitable and useful gift for Celeste.
The brief advertisement in the MORN
ing paper, which his roaming eyes
caught. was almost az an Inspiration
from the sky.
Electric brougham for sale. Newly
upholstered In gray. Most suitable for
lady. Immediate sale. q. 500: B. Lane.
00s. Hamilton street"
The very thing" commented Gra-
ham with relieved smile. And since
1t 10 q lady's brougham 1t will no doubt
have all the equipment necessary. I
Will 60 up today and have a look at it"
I He reflected that before the pre-
sentation of the gift to Celeste at
Christmas. she would have consented
to ask her the momentous question ON
the first propitious occasion
Late In the afternoon he went to the
address mentioned in the advertise
ment. II the brougham should prove
satisfactory, Graham intended to have
til the Christmas holidays.
Upon reaching 009 he was surprised
that one who owned an electric
lbrougham would live in 10 poor q cot
tage-
Reduced circumstances" he con-
cluded. and dropped the grotesque
knockef that seemed oddly out Of place
ON the shabby door.
The girl who answered was pale.
slim and unspeakAbly wistful Graham
was suddenly aware Of an ache in his
throat. He did not know exactly why.
|. ct have come in regard to this" Ora
ham said. and held out the slip from
the morning paper.
Won't you come mr. the girl sug-
gested in a voice from which all tho
gladness had gone.
Graham went inside and stood awk-
wardly, scarcely knowing how to con-
tinue his strange errand. He realized
then that In the girls entire makeup
there was no hint Of color, that she
was suffering q loss that had wrung
every drop Of happiness from her life.
Graham was not used to sadness. 1t
affected him perhaps the more potngn-
antly.
"My-brougham IL In the garage at
the corner Of the street." she told him.
III you care to look at it before" She
could not go on and the smile that
struggled on her lips was more heart
breaking that burst of tears would
have been.
1T do want to see IT," Graham said
quickly. He was fearful of snatching
the frail figure in his arms to try to
his arms ached with purely sympathetic
longing to give some kind Of solace to
this lone sufferer. The feeling was not
that which prompted him to take Ce-
leste in his arms. Il am looking for
just such a one as you describe"
He went out and followed the direc-
ton Of her glance. The small
brougham he found there was an ex-
quisite example Of luxury. Every mod
ern equipment for dainty woman's
comfort was there. Granam reahzeo
that only the hands Of love could have
provided SO dainty an eQuipage. 1t
would send Celeste into raptures Of de-
light
when the canvas covering had been
put back carefully ON the brousham
Graham returned to Betty Lane.
She received him with eyes that
strove to conceal their apprehension.
That she was making valiant ef-
fort to hide her emotion was evident to
Graham. She feared his answer, yet
she knew that her treasure must 90.
| She was conscious Of a feeling Of safe
| ty. Something told her that her little
machine would not be roughly handled
| II Graham should purchase it.
1.-TWO thousand is not too much for
| it." he told her. TT IL in every way
suitable for my needs. It is a gift for
a LADY,. he added, thinking she might
be Interested in the fate Of her car.
ut is breaking my heart to dispose
Of it, Betty found herself telling
him. MY Their" her voice trembled
perilously near to breakins-"my fa-
first gift after he had made his money.
He struggled for years-he and l. She
stopped, seemingly lost In a dear dream
Of the past.
"And then?'' urged Graham softly.
"We1l-we came to New York from
the west on a trip we had planned
| -,t,., <,,v ayir, aI1o,Ild aafl in We had