The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-28
The Euening Story

(By Dorothy Douglas.)

member a day when they had not been
a part of her life. although she did not
recognize them as a vital part. since
her earliest childhood Esther had
known Barney as her boy cnum. who
lived on the nearest farm to that OF
her father. Billy was the young mare
who carried Barney and the small
runabout over the country roads, and
BObs was the alert little terrier who
occupied his chosen place beside Bar
ney. When the snow came and Billy
was harnesSed to the old sleigh Bobs
snuSgled down between Esther and
Barney under the fur rugs and slept
sounliIy through many a moonlit. snow
clad country drive.
Neither Esther nor Barney had ever
reckoned on the day when another man
or another woman should enter the
scene and take his or her place in the
scheme of affairs.
But-the other man had come. He
had dragged Esther from out her con-
tented care-free life into a love en-
tanglement that threatened to carry
her on entirely from Barney, Billy and
Bobs as we'll as her every childhood
associate.
James Carter had come out to the
farm from the city in order that he
might gain certain knowledge of in
had fallen a victim to Esther's fresh
charm and declared himself her slave
before the entire population.
Barney was the first to congratulate
Esther on her engagement. and gave
her a resounding kiss on each apple
blossom cheek. Jimmy Carter did not
exactly like the proceeding. but after
all Esther had promised to be his, so
why feel jealous? He accepted Bar
ney's affection for Esther with good
grace because the devotion seemed like
that of a brother.
Cqrfor 1iIa h1o Of
fellow, and the feeling was unani-
nous that Esther had made a splendid
match for herself.
Il am going to visit Jimmys people"
dercurrent of excitement that had en-
tered her being since the arrival Of
Jimmy. Il expect to be frightfully
homesick.'
I'D hate to think you wouldn't be-
Barney said frankly, but you may as
You are about to enter. I am going to
miss you ten times more because
have only Billy and Bobs left to chum
WITH
When Esther made her prepara-
lions for the visit to town she wisely
refrained from stocking her wardrobe
with country dresses. Instead she de-
cided to go shopping with Jimmy's sis
ter and thereby acquire raiment Of
which she would not be ashamed while
Will well 8OW AeO people,
Esther was only feminine when she
admitted her love for dainty clothes.
She was looking forward with great
pleasure to buying a complete new
wardrobe.
| When two weeks later she was COM
fortably ensconced in the beautiful
home Of her betrothed and made to
feel one of the family, Esther felt for
| the first time that she was really en-
gagged to marry Jimmy Carter. The
entire change of life, the dressing for
dinner and the servants behind ones
chair and all the formalities of a well
regulated household brought Esther to
a sense of responsibility hitherto I'M
known to her
Outwardly she was completely at her
into the new groove into which she
had stepped. Inwardly she felt pris-
oner. Her soul longed for the open
country and her fathers great. cosy
home. She realized. when sitting about
the Carter drawing room in the eve
ming, that at home she would be out
| on the moonlit snowclad roads. snip
ping along to the rhythmic click OF
Billy'S heels. Bobs would be sleeping
among the furs beside her and Barney
would be urging Billy on to greater
speed. After a long drive they would
go back to her fathers great living
room and sit by the log fire while they
slipped hot tea and ate toasted muf-
fins.
Jimmy" Esther said swiftly while
her breath came in spasmodic jerks. 81
cannot marry you. My soul is back in
the country where I know every inch
of the rolling hills and every bud that
blossoms on the wayside. feel like
a prisoner beating the stone walls for
freedom, and would hammer my soul
away until fell exhausted II I had
to remain in town. You will release
me, won't you jimmy" Esther
pleaded.
There was desperate misery in heI
eyes. and Jimmy only looked quietly
back at her.
Il think I have seen it all, DEAR
he said gently. Perhaps I have been
felt this coming
He took her hand within his own and
slipped the ring from her finger. 81
will have this made into a pendant
and when You wear it just remember
that 1 loved you deeply enough to sci
you free"
He did not look into Esther's eyes
but turned away toward the curtainet
window and stood there looking Out
over the city streets Jimmy was no
seeing anything out there. Instead III
was looking forward to a few year.
vision of Esther from his life thoughts
The blankness brought a heavy sigf
from his lips and he closed his eyes
He opened them because Esther had
slipped over TO his side and her heat
dropped softly onto his shoulder. Sh,
arms swept comfortingly about her
Never mind. little girl" he said
: TT was my own fault for being -
| conceited az to imagine I could talk
the place Of all the wonderful thing,
i that filled your former life-your fam