The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-11
The Epe,li1se Story
Chnnse Partners!

trailed across the polished floor and
came to - stop beside the spot where
her daughter Phyllis was Standing.
Phyllis turned her lovely head and
| smiled at her stately: parent.
what is Il, dear - asked Phyllis.
Phyllis" said Mrs Gaines graveiy.
Where is M; Adams-he was here q
HE has gone for an ice" returned
Phyllis carclessiy. Let US step into
the conservatory mother. Has some
thing unpleasant happened? 2"
Mrs. Gaines made no reply until
scented atmosphere OF the conserve
at is important to both you and
Cousin Dora" she said. gravely.
Phyllis FLUSHED hotly; her eyes and
you mean -?'' she asked quick
ly, although she guessed what her
mother was about to say.
II mean that Paul has been engaged
tons to you are now attracting notice.
You understand how dangerous 1t IL
to play with fire. Phyllis
Phyllis nodded. II know, mother"
she said in q choked voice.
1T Is too ilat6s then-my warning
came too late to save You pain. dear
ie?" whispered her mother.
MY wings are a bit scorched,"
smiled Phyllis through her tears; but
Dora must not. think that Paul has
been unfaitnful to her; he has never
said q word to me that the whole
world could not hear with approval
and, PERHAPS. amusement" fhe added
whimsically.
And you win not forget that he il
engaged to Dora?"
Mother. how can forget 1t 90 de-
manded the girl with note of an
guish in her voice. "But why should
deny myself the pleasure Of his So
ciety when Dora cares SO little for it 90
you must not say that!''
1T is so-and you know it. If she
really loved him why has she post
poned their marriage from time to
time? Why is she SO Indifferent
wasting his life waiting for her."
Perhaps Paul does not think SO. :"
You mean that he Is satisfied with
her coldness ?'
"Yes--apparently there is no rift in
their relationship, unless one calls his
Irritation with you by that name"
'F1irtation--oh, mother!"
ut is what we would term it II we
were speaking of some other girl ii.
your set. Phyllis.' said Mrs. Gaines,
Il understand mother" said the
girl steadily. please say no more
now, and Dora-Dora's happiness is
quite safe with me! I must see Paul
now. He is looking for me with that
wretched ice: my card is filled for the
rest of the evening. and very likely I
won't see him again tonight.
THAT Is my good child" approved
Mrs. Gaines as she bent down and
kissed the girls quivering lips.
Paul Adams found Phyllis alone In
the conservatory. He thought the
girl was strangely cold and silent, and
when another partner came to claim
her for the dance he wandered up and
down the perfumed alleys alone with
heart. e5sHg w ~
For ten years he had beef engaged
to Dora Gaines. Now he was in love
with Phyllis DorA'6 cousihs and the
future looked very dark for all of
them. II Dora would. only marry him
and be done with it, but the amazing
fact was that Dora didn't want to be
married for q whf1e-that had been
her excuse from time to time until ten
years had elapsed. Dora wasn't grow
ing any younger and he longed for the
quiet comfort Of home. He had
been fond OF Dora until Phyllis came,
and now, for the first time, he knew
what real love was.
He leaned his hot forehead against
the cool window pane. His eyes wan
dered toward the garden, now a mys-
tic fairyland of lanterns, although the
crisp May weather made It more COM
Portable to remain indoors. A few
romantic couples were stroling under
the friendly chaperohage OF young
May moon.
Suddenly two. of them paused beside
the conservatory door. The girl in
the pink cloak was Dora Gaines; the
man was stout and ruddy, with a SOL
dierly air-it was Colonel Marston.
The colonel was holding Dora's
hands in his own. and Paul could dis
tinCtly hear his words.
Dora. my love, 1t is cruelty to keep
me waiting! Your engagement to
Adams is farce; you don't love him:
you have never loved any one save
me. You would never have accepted
him had you and not Quarreled. Be
Ihonest-tell him the truth-and let US
be happy!'
Dora's voice came cold and collected.
as was Characteristic of Miss 0aines's
cool temperament
II love Y u. james, shall always
love you-but my duty to Paul binds
me to keep faith with him."
Then you have been playing with
fire!" cried Marston.
II hoped hoped that he would
tire OF me-" said Dora.
mo man could do that!''
my cousin Phyllis IL charming and
1 believe she is fond Of Paul. and they
are much togethef. but he IN as cool
fsws.d sy her vo as o@ are 1sms went tb on
IL no hope for meawhatever!''
MY dear. 1t all sounds SO futile, so
absurd" protested the colonel. impa-
tiently. Believe me. my love. Paul
would like his freeiomr'
Dora drew herself up.
You are fatterinE." she said colds
". He win never ask for. 1t. Colonel
Marston. And / shall not offer 1t to
him. Is it not growing damp?'.
Paul turned away sick at heart.
At first an unintentiona1 listener. he
had heard enough to convince him
that Dora would never be the first
| one to sever the bonds that held their
irksome engagement II Phyllis only
knew how he loved her.