The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-01
The Eoe,,i,,e Story

(By Dorothy Dougls.)

Turning the Tide.
(By Dorothy Dougls.)
The tides OF affection" said Enid in
the tones of an oracle. ARE very UNI
certain-very changeab1e." She did not
turn her eyes directly upon Henry
Vincent when she made the statement.
but nevertheless a dull flush mounted
to that young mans temples.
Enid MEANS chimed in Sally Lund.
that you. Henry. have been flirting far
too much with Miily Anderson"
lust on the head. laughed Enid.
and the others assembled under the old
apple tree were not aware of the
tremor che strove to hide in banter.
One could scarcely miss the head Of
that tack" laughed Vincent. with con-
siderable annoyance in his tone.
Ends head went up trif1e. and the
color sprang into her cheeks.
And 60" she said. looking into Vim
cents eyes. II am going to take this
She took on the splendid ring she had
worn for some eighteen months and
passed it over to Henry Vincent.
There was a half hooking light in
Ends face. but no one could doubt the
determination in her words. Silence
born OF interest and surprise followed
the exchange OF the ring.
Henry Vincent laughed quickly and
shrugged his shoulders as If to dispel
any feeling of tragedy in the air.
This Is as good as a One-act play at
the Princess" said Sally Lund. for the
sake OF saying something.
Well. Enid added. still trying to
stifie the tremor. II knew that IL 1
broke my engagement to Henry when
the house was dark, as it were, he
would talk me into letting it remain
whole" For a moment Ends voice
arose above its ordinary soft pitch; she
looked squarely at Vincent. IT have not
fl1rted with every man who has at
tracted me since l promised to marry
one man and 1 do not expect to sit quiet
~ by and let that one man enjoy him
SELF with Every pretty face he sees. 1.
too, shall flirt now and with every Tom.
DICK and Harry If so choose because I
am free, free. free!'' She laughed I'M
restrafnedly and only she herself was
aware OF the falsity of her merriment.
The crowd under the old apple tree
Joined her laughter. All but Vincent;
ne alone sat with an inscrutable ex-
preston OF his extraordinarily good
looking face. 4s
Well-this act seems to be over"
said Billy Langhorne. Come on.
Enid, want to be the hero in the next
act. Let's go down by the duck pond
and rehearse it, He drew the girl to
her feet and, tucking his arm into
hers, led her away.
vincent followed the two with his
eyes and the inscrutable expression
covered his features like a mask.
You can flirt to your hearts con-
tent now. old boy" laughed Jimmy
Rogers
Vincent seemed not to have heard
him. He turned his unreliable face
toward Sally Ldnd.
WAS she altogether right on he
asked her
Sally did not pretend to misunder-
stand. =
Yes" she said. Enid was right. We
have all talked about your flirting and
nad bets as to how long Enid would
stand It, Her depression was not
unkind as her; gaze fingered on Vim
cent You aeM HeRry--we love Enid
All OF us and we think her worthy a
mans entire affection.
For Ends a jolly good fellow!"
and Jimmy Rogers then added quickly,
Give us light. Vincent. This brok-
en- engagement scene has given me the
humps. need cheering weed" He
drew cigar from his pocket and took
the mechanically proffered light from
Vincent. After lighting it he strolled
off toward the direction of the duck
pond. lst
Sally and Vincent. being left alone,
he again asked a question.
will she marry either Langhorne
OF HOger6-OO you think ~
Il don't KNOW" returned Sally
thoughtfully, they are both in love
with her and love begets love-so Of
ten
Still. Enid never does anything of
moment hurriedly," Vincent suggested
and waited for confirmation of his
words.
But Sally made no comment She
hardly knew the new Enid who had
at last taken the reins in her own
hands and did not care to offer furth-
er opinion.
During the following six months
the small coterie of friends continued
to meet under the old apple tree. The
blossoms had developed into green
crabs. the crabs into apples with
cheeks and still the broken engage
ment remained. Henry Vincent and
Enid were as gay as the others, but
those who knew Enid realized that her
heart was breaking slowly and that
the smile she gave so generously was
not from the inward light.
Vincent continued to flirt with Alice
York, Bessie Vane and in fact all the
girls of the village. and to take them
to theaters in town or to the beaches