The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-21
The Eue,,ir,e Story

(By Casper Johnson.)

L &AOyS A>SAA QUt INC 0ADAEA In n
pigeon-hole. cleared the hitter from, his
Dl0tter and closed the desk.
This was the last Of the office for
three months. Tomorrow he Was to
marry the incest girl in all the world
sno tnye would 90. abroad for their
Everything was fixed at last. Busi-
ness matters were all settled Now
TOT three months abroad with Frances
tine ne cathedrals Of England. the gay
olue-gray cliffs OF Sorrento
Lean began to whistle more blithe-
", and then, without any preliminary
tapping the office door opened very
was sftting IN the big chair by the
window, the traces Of recent tears in
ner eyes and q pathetic droop to her
shoulders. ).
Dean sprang forward.
Good heavens!" he cried. Frances.
what is 1t? What's happened? You've
been crying. dearie-you've-''
She held out q hand as IL to ward
him or. The look on her face fright
please sit down-over there-at
your desk. she said.
Dazed. bewildered. Dean did as she
bade him.
ITS ali a mistake" she said. .-rhis
in time-it would be an awful-a
frightful mistake"
He stared at her as If he could not
believe his senses.
II reasoned it all out this afternoon.
had to tell you at once"
Dumbly he stared at her for a good
half-minute. Then he spoke, quietly,
rescrvedly, as was always his wont, no
matter what the stress. His voice
showed neither surprise nor excite
ment.
MAY I be permitted to ask" he in
Quired. why? This il not like you,
Frances. You are not iupulsfve. You
weigh things before you act. l. con-
Tess I'm surprised Therefore. why ?''
Its mistake she repealed,
pressing her gloved hands together.
We should never be happy; we
coNldp.t @ha feel 4. = - -
ssssxWoman's reason" he said S~ss-s-
IT am q woman" she flashed.
There must be q better one" he
.PIease. please don't let's discuss
it," she said. please let 1t go as it
is. counted on you to let me have
'If you are sure you wish it,. said
Dean.
'T do" said she. 'I do. 1 do"
Very well. then," said he. ''It shall
be as you wish trust you implicitly,
F,rances-your Judgment. your lack Of
disturbing or inane impulsiveness Your
reason, too, or lack Of it, will be quite
sufficient. II you wish 1t that way. Wen
call this the end of it -
.'I knew you'd be like this" she cried.
and he couldn't tell whether It was
gratitude or disappointment in her
voice.
She stripped off her left glove and
from her third finger removed the sim
gle diamond.
Here is the ring" she said. passing
He took it and put it in his vest
pocket.
"As always. as you wish." was his
only comment.
But she noticed hard lines appearing
at the corners OF his mouth Stfll. he
was smiling. albeit a forced smile.
She replaced the glove.
There seems to be nothing more" :"
she said.
Nothing. evidently" he returned,
and stepped to the door to open it for
A minute he stood there fumbling the
knob. Then all at once he wheeled
about. his face contorted-
Nor he cried hoarsely. by heav-
sn;san ems; no! This ias T. one too many! You're
She stared at him In unbelief.
Il say sit down. he thundered, and,
catching her by the arm he forced her
back almost roughly to the chair by the
window. Then he locked the office door
and put the key in his pocket.
What are you dofng?' she cried
He did not answer her. Instead he
picked up the telephone on his desk.
Savagely, he manipulated the receiver
hook until he was answered.
Give me 4s4s South,'s he called: and
a moment later: rhis Billy Jordanf
Say, Billy. you're q justice OF the peace,
aren't you? You can perform mar
lriages?'
The girl in the chair by tho window
| ssWelI- hike right over heyeA !. fast a.