The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-04
The Eueni,,g Story
A Timely Eopement.
(By Louise McServe. )

A Timely Eaopement.
(By Louise McServe.)
Mrs Stevenson reread the last para
graph OF the letter which the postman
had just brought to make sure she
had understood it correctly.
BY the way, Ellen. I have just
heard that your Margie is much in
| terested in Donald Rowland. I'm q
bit surprised, II it's true, and do hope
| that she knows Don is engaged to a
girl in this town who is planning to
marry him at the end Of his college
course"
Mrs. Stevenson crushed the letter
| In her belt with a sinking heart. 1t
did not seem believable that Donald
Rowland. the gay, lovable. devoted
boy. who had been SO plainly interest
ed In her Margie for the past year,
| should have been engaged to a girl
back in his home town. And vet here
was the statement of her own sister,
| who had gone to that same town on a
brief visit.
Her unpleasant reflections were in
terrupted by the opening of the front
door. the sound of a merry '.goodby
till tonight" and then Margie was an
the room.
"Oh, mother. dear" she cried. Don
ride. 1 wanted him to stay for sup
per. but he couldn't. He wants me
to go to the circus. though, tonight.
| May I go?"
had felt when she first read the letter
returned with double force.
'Margie, DEAR she began. ignoring
her daughters question, Il asked you
q question once before and 1 am go
ing to repeat it now. Don't you think
that it is time Donald asked you to
marry him %
The merry light left Margie's eyes.
! Her lips quivered. II know-but what
can do?"
Does he tell you that he loves
your"
Margie shook her head. mo, he does
MT. He says nothing at ALL"
Hasn't he ever" the mother pur-
sued.
mo, mother, he hasn't. Once he
came near 1t I think. He started to
put his arm around me and then he
drew away. 1t was the only time.
| We're just friends. that's all"
| She c1asped her hands. We're so
| thing spoil it."
| II anything were needed to decide
Mrs. Stevenson on the wisdom of im-
! mediate action 1t was these last
| Read it, dearie. It's the only thing
to do and postponing the evil day
won't help matters"
Margie obeyed. After she had read
it she let it drop fiutteringly to the
floor and buried her face in her hands.
/ "Oh. I don't believe 1t. I can't be-
lieve IT, she moaned. And she said
nothing more. She refused to talk OF
| 1t and that same evening when 1t was
time for Don to come she refused to
mother. and If it is true tell him that
1 never want to speak to him again. !"
| Mrs. Stevenson went down in an
swer to the bell a few moments later
and the frank, glad smile with which
don greeted her made 1t impossible
for her to believe the letter she still
carried in her belt. He seemed even
in better spirits than usual and shook
her hand with frank vigor.
"Oh, Mrs. Stevenson. am SO glad
to see you-and alone. I want to see
you all by yourself
He waited until they were in the
parlor. II want to tell you some
thing which has been on my mind
for a long, long time. 1 love Margie
" a month, you know, and father Is
willing to take me into his concern.
We oughtn't to have to wait more
than six months, do you think-that
is. If Margie loves me as much as I
hope-and you are willing" He nm
"Sit down. Don.'' said Mrs. Steven
son quietly. Let US talk q little
first" Then after q moment. Are
you quite sure that there is nothing
at all that stands in the way"
mo. Mrs. Stevenson, there Isn't a
thing he answered promptly. and
meeting her scrutiny frankly.
Are you telling me the truth - the
mother repeated, still quietly, but with
a medley Of conflicting emotions rush.
ing through her mind.
Yes. Of course Then he added
more slowly. as her eyes did not leave
his, Nothing stands betwe 1 us
now
"Why do you say not now'?"
"Oh. you know, then?'' An illuminate
ling look flooded his face. He had
caught at last the meaning of her re-
peated inquiries.
She nodded. It know
''Oh. but you don't know-rcally." He
laughed out almost joyously. Then
when he saw the panied expression on
her face he sobered quickly.
'Tn explain everything, Mrs. Steven
son. It's all simple and has come out
60 wonderfully well. You see I have
never said anything Of love or marriage
position to do 50. But did not refrain
i from falling in love with her and trying
to make her care for me because knew
that the barrier between US could not
always last.
Il have been engaged, nominally, for
two years to q girl back home. My
mother and her father arranged it and
| were determined that we should marry
one another. But she did not care for
me any more than 1 cared for her, and
told me repeatedly that she would
never, under any circumstances. marry
me. She was afraid Of her father,
i though. and did not dare to rebel open
~. 1t was a terrible situation all around,
and no one was happy. intended to go
east when I finished school and cut
away from all home ties. She was will
ing that should. end the blame Of the
broken engagement would be on my
shoulders.