The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-04
The Eueni,,g Story
The Tenth Man.

/ stG LOSt1tJt& 0GOt8
| The Tenth Man.
(By Catherine Hopson.)
| mine men out of ten would!'
But there is still the tenth one"
| Sibyl Clark shook her head Some
times doubt 1t. 1 believe they all
prefer beauty to any other quality.
And don't blame them-I don't
blame Ralph for admiring Ethel Mar
| tin. I do, too. Like most very plain
people. I fairly worship beauty in
others.
Its unfortunate this girl came to
visit in Ennisburg just now, when
things were a bit difficult between you
and Ralph anyway" Mrs. Underwood,
Sibyls married sister, rearranged her
embroidery hoops with q worried
frown.
Better now than-later'' Sibyrs
laugh was a little forced.
There's something I've been think
ing long time; but haven't had the
courage to say" Mrs. Underwood re-
garded her sister reflectively for a
moment. II have felt for some time
that you and Ralph ought to break
your engagement"
Sibyl started in surprise, but her
sister continued: IF you had mar
ried four years ago when you first
became engaged, all might have been
we'll. But you both decided to go to
college and during this time you have
grown apart. You have both changed.
He has developed the frivolous side
of his nature, and you have grown to
look on the serious side Of life a little
too closely. II you had attended the
same university, you might have ac-
quired some of the same ideals: but
since you went to radically different
ones, the result is what might have
been expected"
Sibyl laughed a little unsteadily.
''That's-that's pretty straight talk.
Sis
II know it, that's why I'm giving it
to you. Think 1t over
Sibyl agreed, and in truth was COM
pelfed to do SO, as a little later she.
saw Ralph Coston stop his car for
Miss Martin, the girl who was visit
ing next door. Pretty, fluffy haired
Ethel Martin appeared never to have
a serious thought in the world, and
she and Ralph were laughing gayly
as they rode by.
Sibyl watched tn I'm from behind
the curtains in her room. II wonder
how Ralph thinks feel about his
marked attentions to Miss Martin.
But he doesn't care-that's the point
and why should 2"
IF it is such good day for autoing,
I'll go. too.' Hastily she dressed. and
at the ldSC moment OClOE0 leaving nGT
room, drew from. her finger the en-
sagement ring which for four years
had been such an integral part of her
life
She was an expert driver and her
trim little runabOut spun rapidly down
the smooth roads. 1t was one of those
days in midwinter which seem a FORE
runner of spring and the zest of it gets
into the blood.
In spite of troubles, Sibyl found her
~~.IR to- R~v1 - ut
of Ralph and the present situation
but of old days at the university. Since
her graduation last spring she had not
hal time to adjust herself to the new
cid friends. Ralph, who had gradu-
ated from an eastern college at the
same time, had thought best to post
sDone their marriage another year un-
til he could adapt himself to business
in the snug berth awaiting him in his
fathers office.
''If he had had to get out and rus
tic for q position as did most Of the
fellows who graduated In my class, 1t
would be better for him." Sibyl had
often thought to herself.
Memories of old classmates brought
to her mind Kenneth Collins, the one
she had known best. She had seen a /
notice in the paper of his recent ar
rival in Ennisburg to spend a few days
at the home of an uncle.
81 hope shall see him while he Is
here"
On and on she went, paying little |
heed to her SURROUNDINGS, until she
noticed her way ahead was blocked |
by a large touring car with which the
driver was apparently having trou-i
bile. He was down beside it busy with |
wrench and tools. She saw 1t was the |
Reeves car. and with a start recog-
E;zed Kenneth Collins as the driver In |
.aThis is worse than college algebra