The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-22
The Evening Story
The Mei1dler.
(By Ella Randall Pearce

(By Ella Randall Pearce.)
Advancing uncertainty across the |
long, softly shaded room into which |;
white aproned maid had ushered him, |
sight Of the waiting figure before him. |
1T was kind OF you to send for me"
he began, and paused, instantly con-
scious that something was amiSs- Now
that he was near, he saw that Evelyn
Crocker's face was set and unffiendly
and her bearing resolutely aggressive.
IT may say at once. MI. Dwight.
came the well membered low, drawl-
ing tones, frosted by an unusual IN
cisiveness. that it was not my inten-
ton to be kind. as you say. I had
sterner purpose in view when I sent
that message. to you today. Will you
be seated?"
So different this from her customary
cepted chair with his eyes fixed in
quiringly on his hostess. Evelyn sank
gracefully upon a small sofa, pushed
a gold colored cushion behind her back
and slowly lifted her eyes to his.
taking up" she said with slight
melting Of her tones. IT am going
to meddle-witll your affairs and Cas-
sizes"
fortably. Then he laughed lightly. II
was afraid 1t was something serious
that had offerded you. for instance"
Mr.. Dwight" Evelyn's indignant
advance Of one foot was suggestive Of
flashed consciously. ut is serious. I
am offended. Cassie ia heart broken"
She felt that she had to make the
situation as grave as possible. How
can you speak SO carelessly-so cal
Your last quarrel with Cassie, Of
course"
my quarrel with Cassie! Well, let
it go at that" The young man drew
to take up the cudgels in her defense.
Miss Evelyn!'
She regarded him searchingly with
one finger laid upon her lips. Surely
no man who looked like that could be
either q hypocrite or tyrant. 1t must
be that he did not understand women:
that he did not in the least under
stand capricious, bewitching, tender
hearted little Cassie. Well, it should
| be her stern duty to teach him.
1T is three days since that quarrel.
Mr.. Dwight, and you have made no at
tempt to repair the hurt you inflicted.
Cassie told me about It that night. She
has been like a ghost OF herself since.
quiet and feverish by turns. hiding her
SORROW even from me. When she went
| at me and clinging to me with actual
| tears in her eyes, 1 became alarmed.
Then sent for you"
Where did she go?"
The answer came reluctantly. TO
a tango tea. she said.''
| 'Ah! then she's forgotten her sorrows
! by this time" Dwight twisted his stall
wart shoulders irhpatiently. 'NJe-er
disagreed over her dancing, you
know. 1 objected to Lee Lansing as a
gan by tangoing with her and ended
by being in my way every time tried
| to see Cassie
But you don't care for dancing"
protested Evelyn.
NO And 1 don't want the girl who's
engaged to me to be always side-step-
ping in another mans arms!'
"Oh.'' cried Evelyn, shrinking from
the vehemence of his tones as much
as from his unvarnished speech. This
young man with curving lips and hon
est hazel eyes-like a faithful collie's
WAS Evelyn's comparison, could be
brutal. after all, she thought. 1t was
lperplexing.
"I'll make a bargain with you. Miss
Evelyn" Dwight leaned forward in
|gratiatingly. We'll never get any
where If we begin to argue. I'll sit
tight and take all the little talk you
want to deliver to me, and then you'll
I listen to me. I'll be fair. Now, go
ahead"
i He folded him arms and sank back
Evelyn had to crush down a wild de-
sire to laugh: then her ire rose again.
Was he trying to embarrass her? But.
no, his mood seemed receptive: en-
coura ging. one might say. go she spoke
freely.
You and Cassie were engaged when
I came here to look after her interests
and establish a home for her. But the
continuous discords-the chickering's, the
,Quarrels and reconciliations! No won
M oeS> IL III
lis she miserable?" asked the solemn
, young man.
IT found her in tears after you had
., gone that last time" said Evelyn, with
reproachful ewes. "She said your jeal-
ousy was breaking her heart. She Il
, very young. Mr.. Dwight, and she 1ovei
. her harmless little gayeties. If yoy
|. would be more tolerant-more com
prehensive! am Castles ONLY
,, guardian and her n ppi. ess is m,
first care"
Farnol Dwight regarded his com
: panion musingly. He was young him
self, and Evelyn, for all her superior
manner of authority and wisdom
: why. Evelyn could not be more thar
three or four years the senior Of frfv.
. olous Cassie. Now, her face shon<
pale in the shadowy room; her eyes
, cleaned large and lustrous; her deli
cate lips parted anxiously.
Dwight noticed the quick rise and
, fall Of the rose on her bosom. as hi
swayed forward in his chair.
- miss Evelyn. If you weren't x
dreadfully in earnest, should b
: laughing by this time. You are trying
, to make me understand the complexi.
ties Of your cousins nature, and Cas-
!! sic is q stranger to you! Now listen
. felt just as you do about her wheY
{ we were first engaged; but gradually
learned better. Cassie is q charming
, aggravating. selfish grown-up young
I woman. She il q precocious littl(
hypocrite-a feminine tyrant"
Hypocrite! Tyrant! The very word
Il With which she had assailed her Wis
! itor's character. thought Evelyn The,