The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-23
The Evening Story
The Surren1er OF BuF3e1gh.
(By Ixola Forrester.)

Coming down in tho train from
Washington Dick Ferris told Burleigh
just how matters stood on the girl
question of Grey Chimneys. Burleigh
listened with cousinly courtesy and
much tolerance. Privately. he thought
out any warnings 1T all. There were
plenty OF girls back In Indiana to tug
on his heartstrings.
You see. mother'll entertain for you,
and give . dance tomorrow night and
all that. and she doesn't understand
in Virginia that want. and want
her fearful1y."
Won't she have you. Dick!' Burleish
asked mildly.
'.she viii and she won't. rye asked
her every six weeks for . year"
weeks?''
1T isn't Joke. I don't know wheth-
er she's in earnest or not. But shes
a great belle down In our county. and
appears. well, you understand. Every
body rather looks to her to take the
first speed out OF him. Then. after he's
tame, he'll turn around and settle down
and marry some nice girl who'll bless
Byrd all her hfe."
"she won't tame me- said Burleish.
| warmly.
1T isn't that. want to try again at
the dance. and IL she's"
She won't be-" promised Burleigh.
"I'n stand clear
1t was his second visit down to the
old Virginia homestead. The frst had
been only a flying one at Christmas.
but now 1t was summertime and he was
to spend q month. Dick had been with
| him in New York the past two weeks.
Somehow. 1t seemed good to leave it all
behind. the rush and push OF modern
business life, and drop down into this
leisurely Underwater land where his own
people had come from.
Grey Chimneys spread out like some
| motherly gigantic hen with outsprerd
lawns. and back Of IT lay old fashioned
gardens where Burleigh liked to stroll
after breakfast and watch his stately
aunt tending her roses with gloved
| hands. and 4 pink sunbonnet on her
soft gray cur1S.
1t was the morning before the dance
| that she warned him.
II do think It's my duty, Burleigh.
| to give just a little hint about to-
night" she began.
"Yes'm." said Burleish. just as If he
were instead OF Is.
It's about Dick. I'm troubled about
the boy, Burlefgh. Do you know that
he's in lover" Is *
wen. he did mention it, Aunt Pol
ly..
l lSu BOOQ kOf MIN, truly IL NOT,
Burieigh. The poor boy hasn't a shost
Of a chance. and he won't believe 1t.
And the sooner he gets over 1t the bet
ter. 1 want you to devote yourself to-
night to one particular girl, and save
Dick from any further folly"
| "Yes'm." said Burleigh again. sort
ing out the Dorothy Perkins roses in
her basket.
Her name is Byrd Pomeroy. Just
pay attention to her. ana I'll look AFT
er Dick"
1t wasn't fair to Dick at all, Bur-
leigh decided later. He was to be used
as Cupid's catspaw, thrown at the head
of this tidewater belle, whether he
liked it or not. and put of Dicks fate
for him. He made up his mind that he
would carefully and conscientiously
steer clear of Miss Byrd Pomeroy all
/ the evening.
/ There was q long center staircase In
the great hall. Burleigh stood close to
its base that evening. enjoying the
whole scene. Burleigh watched the
down the stairs. There wasn't one that
set his pulses beating faster. He saw
Dick captured by a dream in pink and
waited out to the moonlit garden.
Then. last of all, poised for a minute
on the top stair, he saw a girl. She
was slim and dark. with eyes that
dropped at the corners wistfully. and a
mouth that matched them. Burleigh
felt vaguely sorry for her, coming last
of all, and looking 80 lonely. Aunt
Polly had gone into the big south room
that was cleared for the dance. Only
a few belated couples stood around in
the hall. And their eyes met as she
came down the stairs. met and held
each others gaxe az II they had sud
denly renewed q wonderful mutual ac-
a distant star. Burleigh held out his
hand to her automatically. and she laid
hers in it with a little embarrassed
laugh
"I've been waiting all this time for
you," he said. huskily. and led her in
AUNT Polly's glance Of mild surprise.
nor Dicks grin Of thankfulness. There
was only this tender. wistful face %
near his own, and the beauty Of the
After the first three dances they went
out on the broad old pillared veranda.
She had q soft scarf around her head.
1t made him think of the old painting
of Louise OF Prussia
You know she said with her soft
accent IT don't even know your name
.:Burieixh Atwell. Don't tell me all Of
yours yet. What's tho first?''
Byrd" she answered. and Burleigh
stopped the thought. The night was
his. his very own, by right Of the an
swering look in her eyes when they
met his. He forgot Dick. forgot Aunt
Polly. everything. deliberately closed
the door of memory ON them. All he
could do was to look down at her
Through half closed eyes and smile.
do you know they all warned me
against you. and I was looking for
some stately sort Of = girl, don't you
know, not a-not-a-
"A whAt?'' asked Byrd mischiev-
ously.
"A darling like you"
''Who warned your" she asked.
Never mind. I'm going to stay q
Imonth unless Dick puts me out after
Itonight-"
.sBut Dick doesn't caro- for me- slse
laughed meFri1y. Dicks in love with
INV ssounfn Byrd Pomefoy. I'm fuxae