The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-10
The EueniIag Story

(By Catherine Coope.


(By Catherine Coopesy
Marina dropped her weary head on
her arms and sobbed. She was COM
pletely exhausted with her effort to
make both ends meet, and her nerves
were torn to shreds. There seemed to
be no immediate chance for mending
her nerves, since the needles or neceS-
sity were even then pricking her PAIN
fully. II there were any way OF get
derful e-giving country for a short
time, Marina felt that she could again
go on with her writing and the strug-
gle would seem less severe.
For time her stories had SOLD rap
idly, and ner pen had flown with in
spirational swiftness across the pages.
but even an inspired pen cannot go on
without cessation through months OF
monctonous grind Marina realized
that her stories were flat, with lack
of brilliance that even lenient edltor
might not overlook.
Only by renting out her best sunny
room to two women who were out dur
ing the day had Marina been able to
pay for her small flat and for the
furniture she had selected with so
much Joy. Without the five dollars q
week which the renting OF the best
bedroom brought her, Marina could
not possibly have eked out a nome
life. Boarding houses were detestable
to her, yet now. after one year OF
struggling and the knowledge that she
was practically tied down to the city
because Of her flat and its contents,
she longed for the freedom that board
ing would afford her.
IF 1 have to be tied down to this
flat for another whole year l will lose
my mind" she told herself, with
historical little laugh at her own
weakness II feel now as if could
batter my beautiful rose-colored walls
to pieces because they hide the world
from me-" Marina felt very much like
a Gagged animal, hut she knew that il
she gave up her cage she would still
have to pay for storing the furniture,
and that she could not afford II she
had to pay board at a summer hotel.
Neither could she rent town nat IN
the hot months.
In a desultOry. way she glanced
Through the, advertisements with the
faint hope that some one would want
her flat. A wan smile f1ickered in her
eyes and struggled to her lips. 1t was
not often that Marina gave way to de-
preston.
"Oh! 1 do believe this is my oppor-
tunity," she reread an advertisement
new to the column.
"'Young man, getting married and
having small flat, would store furni-
ture for one year for use Of same. Best
care taken. References
poor man." laughed Marina. "he is
almost worse off than I am. He is In
love- which ! am not. and he has not
the price of furniture. I do believe
that would be a good scheme for me.
1t would save me storage money and
surely a bride will take good care OF
my lovely things. OH" she drew a
most taste my freedom now! A whole
year to go where I want to! JOY! l
could write q story that would sell this
minute for the very thought OF IT.!
She sat down without loss of time
and sent a communication to the ad-
vertiser stating in a rough way the
amount of furniture she had. its In
trinsic and sentimental value and
asking him to come in the evening
and look it over. She wanted also to
look him over, but that fact she did
not put on paper.
When a decidedly good looking.
bright eyed young man. came to her
the suspense she had been under
during the hours since she had writ
ten her letter. Many doubts had as
sailed her, but they vanished with one
glance into his honest gray-biue eyes.
"A man is a good deal OF chump
to marry when he can't AFFORD to buy
furniture" Hugo Everett said with a
laugh as Marina spiloted him to her
little sitting room.
mot more of d chump than girl
is who buys furniture that she cam
not AFFORD to keep" Marina echoed
his laugh and found herself thinking
that the girl was rather fortunate
man for a husband. Il
'.I will be able to afford the
furniture l want in another year.
and 1 want what I want and
not what I could. get just now" he
added. 81 say!'' he exclaimed in adj
10 nj IN rzy{<vp
this coy stuff? Wont those get aw-
fully dirty?" He referred to the great.
soft chairs, with their covers OF rose
and apple blossom chintz.
Marina laughed at his masculine fg-
norance. Those covers all go into the
tab and wash" she told him, land my
hangings the same. Also the rose car
pet can be cleaned and the ones in
the bedrooms wash just like hand
kerchief." She showed him two dAin-
ty rooms furnished in cottage style
with rag rugs and flowered spreads.
And. yes-I do want to part with 1t
all-f0r q time. am desperate to get
away from bondaee Of any kind. If
you take this furniture for me will
be grateful for the remainder of my
days 6hes laughed gayly. Who
knows. I may WIN fame and fortune
by your helping hand"
1T wishes you all kinds OF luck"
said Everett, extending his hand.
Marina put her own into 1t and be-
fore his clasp let 1t go the color had
famed into her cheelks- Everett
turned his eyes swiftly away from her
dropping lashes and spoke In an even
~ modulated voice and completed the
arrangements for the removal Of
Marna's furniture.
Before they parted for the year
Everett asked Norma to let him see
all the stories that might be pub
lished during that time. Too, be It
known that Marna,s stories were OF
quantities rather than Qualitfes-so