The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-31
The Evening Story
A Cottage and Love.
(By Rose Dundonald.l


The black pony had an inconve-
nient habit of suddenly pausing in the
road and attempting a stolen forty
winks. Old age and a liberal diet did
much to foster this custom. For the
third time that morning Freda Mason
slapped the reins over the Satiny
flanks and scolded the black pony.
Memo Mason! You are the LATEST,
goOd-for-nothing little beast! Please
please get along!'' The last words
were accompanied by vicious little
slap of the reins.
Memo opened lazy eyes, blinked and
broke into a startled trot that ended
in the village.
Nemo's stable lay beyond the vii
lage, but he would not omit his occa-
sional rest in order to reach that de-
sired haven, SO Freda was not sur
prised when the trot subsidized into a
slow amble.
Suddenly Memo stopped short be-
fore a pair of large iron gates. Be-
yond the gates were the beautiful gar
dens that surrounded the Lennox
estate. Glimpses of the terra-cotta
chimneys reminded Freda that this
was Donald LennOx's home.
'Oh, bother!' she murmured. 81
wish I did not have to decide. Don is
splendid, but do wish that he WASH
SO rich-and altogether desirable"
She sighed and slapped the reins.
|
sumed his way.
II suppose, Memo, you would like
to have me marry Don Lennox so that
you could end your days in that lovely
stone stable and roll in the clover
| fields all day-but I'm not going to
marry him. And there's Frank
Perhaps Memo understood; any,
way, he suddenly halted again. this
time before the neat white gate Of a
| cottage. A young man, who was trim
ming a rose vine above the porch,
| turned quickly and then came eagerly
forward. His head was bare and he
had discarded his coat and waistcoat.
Freda nodded mental approval of
Frank Deane.
Good morning, Freda," he greeted
her, leaning into the cart to shake
hands. Il was thinking about you at
the very instant when you stopped"
You must thank Memo for this
CALI said Freda with a little blush.
He stops anywhere at the most mop
perfume moment.
TT is opportune for me, because,
Freda-" he laid bis hand over her
| little gloved one. Il was coming
around to tell you something this
afternoon. Let me tell you now, dear.
I've been promoted in the bank. and
now I can offer you something more
than bread and cheese and roses in a
cottage! You know I've always loved
your
Il know it," murmured Freda, but.
oh, Frank, I am not sure about my
eh-and-and-oh. don't look that
way. 1t isn't the cottage and the
that!' 20
How can I help thinking that has
something to do with it when I know
when know that Lennox has
please don't say anything about
that" interrupted Freda. sharply.
I'VE are speaking of you
Me and my cottage" laughed
stand. Freda No one will blame you
for your choice. because Don Lepnox
is fine chap, and it Is tempting to
think of being mistress of Lennox
Place"
Freda flushed proudly.
think it is impossible for any girl to
love Don Lennox. apart from his
money!" she asked.
mo. not exactly; but his money
cannot help but bias any ones opin-
ion. He has so much of it,
Then you believe the only true
love is of the love in a cottage va
riety?"
Frank laughed again, unpleas-
antly.
1T is the surest way to begin.''
Then the poor rich men have no
chance?'
They can marry in their own
class-riches marrying riches-and
there can be no doubt of love-
Memo was surprised by tingling
lash from the whip
Good morning, Frank" smiled
Freda over her shoulder. Thank you
for your dissertation upon love. But
think you are mistaken Memo
moved slowly forward
| Frank hurried after her
But you haven't given me an an
swer. Freda." he cried.
Il will write it, Frank she called
back.
Frank watched the pony cart until
1t dipped below the last hill and dis
appeared. Then he walked slowly
back to the cottage and sat down on
the steps. His mother came to the
door and looked fondly at him.
You were talking to Freda, dear?''
she asked softly.
He nodded. Yes, mother"
II wonder wonder If she will de-
eide to marry Don Lennox. with all
the Lennox money behind him one
could hardly blame the girl"
she might really care for DON" de-
Tended Frank
There is no comparison between you
and Don Lennox. dear. Only-Don has
attractive"
Long after his mother had gone in
Frank sat there. modify contemplate
ing the tiny domain that he called
| home" Long hours after the village
bank had closed. had Frank spent in
the garden until the little acre became
a wonder place in the community. It
was a miniature reproduction of the
Italian garden Of the Lennox place
Don Lennox shot past in his little
gray racing car. He waved a friendly
greeting to Frank.
| He has ..verything-even Freda!''
thought Frank enviously. and for the
time he gave himself over to gloomy
abstraction.
The next morning when he entered
the bank he learned that: the Lennon