The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-02
The Evening Story
Two In Society.
(By Molly McMaster.)

seen SO altogether beautiful a woman.
And her voice? 1t had penetrated to
the very depths OF Billy's being. He
sighed. Women, such as Clair Ray
mer, were not for him.
Billy hoped<to be presented to her,
yet he feared the result. Instructive
~. he felt that to meet the beautiful,
exquisitely gowned girl was to love
her.
There were only a few within the
inner circle who knew that Billy Dean
was invited to society dinners, etc.
that his wit might liven the party.
He called himself a vagabond enter
tainer, and the checks he earned dis
playing his talent were both large and
acceptable. Those not within that in
ner circle considered Billy Dean to be
one of them-a man of social stand
ing.
Thus, he looked upon Clair Ray
mer with eyes that dared scarcely to
feast themselves upon so forbidden g.
piece of luxury as feminine lowell
ness.
If she were only a begsar maid"
love her." ~.
A few moments later he was intro
duced to Miss Raymer. The warm
touch of her hand augmented the al
ready rapid movement Of Billy's
'lG %zt eye. were v.,v.tv ~, ,oo,.,
softly into his own
Il enjoyed your stories immensely,
Mr.. Dean," she compfimented him In
that rich voice of hers.
My buffoonery! 1t is a sacrfleee to
mention my efforts when this room is
even now pulsating with the beauty of
your tones. My very soul went when
you sang" Billy smiled upon clair
Raymer in his half serious. haH ham
tering manner.
And your words produced laugh
ter In my SOUL" she returned quickly.
6iAy watcneo wtstful. Might've snnile
play in her eyes. I'VE must have hntl,
laughter and tears in our souls IL we
added.
After moment of more. or less
serious discussion. in which Clair knew
t mat she had found one whom she
iikeo, Billy extended his hand.
I'VE must also have meetine. and
partings and am in most dread
his eyes remained wistful.
Their hands met in mutual pressure
ana Billy went swiftly away. He was
wise enough to realize that to flee
from temptation was the safest way
to save further damage being done his
neart Temptation in this case would
not pursue him.
Billy would have opened wide his
vagabond at heart, but he lived with
only one object in mind and that was
MS caravan. He worked during the
winter months. but when spring
preatned her fragrance over the hill
side and through the valley Billy slip
ped Off in his small caravan. nor was
he heard from until the cold drove
him back to his 'buffoonery," az he
| himself called his talent for amusing
society.
H4nt
luxury loving. adorable woman such
as Clair Raymer p he questioned HIM
self ironically. 'All could give her
would be love and three meals a day
cooked on camp fire and reeking Of
smoke
Try as he might to avoid meeting
the girl he failed dismally. Tango
teas, dinner dances, debutante recep-
;ions all combined to Illustrate Billy's
desire to keep out of harms way. He
and Clair were flung into the same as
semblages day after day and week
! after week. The Intangible sense Of
attraction made them gravitate to-
ward one another. If at times Billy
| noticed a peculiar wietfulness In
| Glars eyes 1t did not occur to him
that it was occasioned by his indiffer-
ence to her.
| The night upon which he had
watched her drive away from the De
tCortaber's mansion in a great luxurious
his breast.
Her gray uniformed chauffeur prob
ably has more money in the bank than
will ever have" he sighed, as she
stepped into the perfectly appointed car
of the De Cortabers.
It was toward the end Of the season
! that Billy met. Clair on the street.
Never before had he seen her in other
than wonderful toilets. Now her suit
was simple, and even to Billy's mascu-
line eyes 1t seemed we'll worn. Billy's
ing for his vagabond summer he was
to have Clair alone beside him.
i A heavy, persistent snow had fallen
and those who toiled through the elder
down snow that covered the city streets
became weary Of tho effort
| Clair had become weary and was
stepping up for a cup OF tea when Billy
saw her. The stairs leading to the
. Chimney Corner were slippery and
firmly within Glars.
oh! It's your she gasped ana
even the obtuse Billy recognized the
gladness in her voice. How delight
fclv'
That's what say.' laughed Billy
He plotted her safely up and to a seat
beside the great fireplace with its
shining brasseo-
There was { rich color mantlinx
Glars cheeks and her eyes were glow
ing.
cake here?' asked Billy. ssYes-then.
Of course you want some" He smiled
lat her and ordered Ceylon tea and cake
from the neat little maid
For q second he mt locking 1T
1Clair. narveling that ~. vaenbcnd sn-1