The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-01
The Euening Story
Her Ladyship Decides.
(By lola Forrester.)

walked to the end of the veranda,
staring out at the line of incoming
waves just visible above the golden
| hummockS of sand.
It's from Peggy
You won't go, of course" Some
how he managed to say it naturally.
"Oh, but I'd love to go, Courtney
just four days down the coast and
| back
! Il don't want you with that crowd,
Wanda. You don't belong with them"
| Wanda laughed softly, pinning up
her fair, tumbled masses of hair, fresh
from bathing. He stood looking down
at her, wishing with all his heart that
he had not come at all. He was sick
and tired of forever playing the part
| of admonisher and dictator to her
| ladyship. It had been difficult enough
when he had received the first letter
from her brother. Halbert was bound
for the trenches and glory.
1t would be dull for Wanda back in
London. She had worked hard
through the winter and needed a
change. Wouldn't Courtney and his
mother keep an eye on her if she ran
over for a few weeks. 1t had sounded
so easy in the asking. But Courtney
had met Wanda twice during visits
abroad. He knew that of all willful,
capricious, irresistible wards, her lady
ship would prove the hardest to man
age. Still he had agreed to watch ov-
er her. Ostensibly she came as the
guest of Mrs. Towne. his mother. but
it was Courtney who shouldered the
full responsibility.
II haven't seen Peggy since she was
married She says they are going to
put in at Pinehurst pier tomorrow at
10 and I am to motor over with you.
She would love to have Mrs. Towne
and you come, too, Courtney"
My mother doesn't approve of
Peg"
mol" With lifted b COWS. She's per-
fectly dear, and now she's married
she's settled down wonderfully. I
think I shall go, Courtney"
Courtney said nothing. He agreed
quite pleasantly to drive her over the
next morning. Mrs. Towne was in
disposed, and some way Wanda man
aged to coax her into acquiescence.
next day. when they started for Pine
hurst. Courtney had chosen his own
car, low. two-seated French machine.
He seemed rather silent as they swung
out along the shore road.
1T isn't far, is it Wanda asked
lightly.
About eighteen miles. I'm going
to take the short cut
Once outside the little seaside viii
lage, he turned off the main road and
took the one through the pines inland.
Wanda stole glance at him again,
at the clean cut, almost stern profile
beside her, and then at his hands and
the way they gripped the wheel.
You don't really mind my going,
lively.
mot at all now" Courtney return
ed cordially.
'sHaIbert's very fond of Peggy I
think he might have married her him
self some time if she hadn't chosen
Capt. Minturn"
Courtney smiled at the ribbon of
road unwinding before them. His eyes
inch of this road. And every mile
was taking them from Pinehurst and
the boat landing Yet he waited to
make sure. 1t was at the fourteenth
mile that he slipped a lever wrong and
the machine stopped.
With a quick apology he sprang out
and started to tinker away at the car.
Her ladyShip chatted for few min
utes, waiting expectantly, but as the
minutes flew by, she glanced around
curiously at the enfolding hills.
Il don't see the ocean,"
It's down at your feet"
Every far?"
Somewhat"
She hesitated and frowned.
Courtney, are you really trying to
fix the car or just
He sat up in the road, his cap on
the back of his head, and smiled at
her.
Just what?"
you're not fixing it at all, are you?
That's what you call it over here, isn't
it, fixing instead of repairing? Won't
He shook his head contentedly. She
stepped from the car with dignity, de-
lghtful dignity he thought, consider
ing.
II think I shall walk until find
some sort of conveyance"
You can't, because we're about
seven miles at least from the last
he glanced at his watch thoughtfuliy-
until 1920. They will have sailed by
then, don't you think 500"
Wanda's dark eyes were bright with
anger.
Il don't see how you dare to do this,
Courtney Towne. They are my
friends and if I choose to go with
them it is absolutely my own affair."
sDear. you are not quite 49, said
Courtney gently. ''Halbert put you in
my care and can't conscientiously let
you chase down the coast with Peggy
and have her marry you off to any
other crowd"
You mean Kent ?" The color rose
in her face quickly.
Courtney hooded.
81 know the whole thing, Wanda. I
heard Kent bet that he would marry
you before you returned to England
You know as well as I do that old Hal
bert is in debt to him badly. 1t was
part of his game to make him SO. 1t
gave him a surety of his consent to
his winning you, and I couldn't stand
that sort of thing. I think perhaps
Halbert had it in mind when he placed
you in my charge. Now do you I'M
derstand ?''
Wanda stood before him. white now,
her hands clenched at her sides. 1t
had all been a lark, her wanting to go
with Peg. She had not really cared,
but when he had made an issue of it,
it had amused her to win the point
over him. Even though she knew
Kent Paxton was going, she had not
realized what it might mean
you see, dear" he went on slowly,
cit isn't just for Halbert's sake, either
It's for your own. You know that.
don't you, Wanda? I haven't been
able to get word out to your brother
yet, but there's been a little run of
luck for him some money out of a