The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-24
The Euening Story
An Old Mans Darling.
(By Martha M'Culloch williams.

| friend and social mentOr-the case OF
Reul Morris, Esq, widower. aged al
most 40, long on wealth, short on
grammar, alone in the world except
| for sundry grandchildren, who re-
garded him in the nature of an in
veStment.
He had fallen violently a victim to
Carolyn's charms-Carolyn. a daugh-
ter of the gods, divinely tall and fair;
also poorer than poverty from the
fact that with observation-disclosures in
come she had a position demanding
truffleS and champagne; also, again,
conscious that her charms were at
apOgee-hencefOrth change must
mean their waning.
That is to say, she was on the edge
of 80. Many men had loved her
half of them well enough to propose.
But the suitors who had been in ear
nest had not been the right sort. Well
enough, perhaps-if she had loved
them-but, lacking love, out of the
question.
There had never been a question
with regard to Henry Alban, who had
said in the beginning. I'VE dare not
love, being paupers.' The saying had
not hindered his hanging about Caro-
Ign until Mrs. Berwick was in despair.
Then suddenly Melva Lane, with a
million on hand and several others in
prospect. had been thrown in his way
with the result of a sudden secret
WOOAlS anu oil dSlOuI1uluS runaway Gu
Paris, where still the pair abode.
Don't you want a wedding trip to
Paris?" Mrs. Berwick went on, a lit
tie fearfully. She had never quite
dared to speak to Carolyn of Alban.
She did it now with malice afore-
thought and the best intentions.
Carolyn frowned the least bit. 81
was thinking of that" she said, sud-
denly sitting straighter. Il can go
if I choose. l can have half the world
if I choose"
''Then say yes! Dol" Mrs Berwick
entreated.
Carolyn smiled more family than
she had frowned. Il would-if 1 had
not a troubling sense of fairness"
she answered. My captive, poor old
everything, almost apologize over
his wealth-it is very much greater
than anybody knows. Told me-but
not in the way of making a price
by. the grandchildren-that is his very
phrase-yet leave me royalty rich
He doesn't talk thus early of leav-
ing your Mrs. Berwick cried, as
founded.
Carolyn nodded. HE has lost his
head-not his reason she said, snil-
ing bitterly. Ten years at the outside
he measures my bondage. After that,
with millions and the world before
me, 1 know he hopes, although he
age to nave been worth While.'
That's fine. I've no patience with
you-splitting hairs and haggling,"
Mrs. Berwick exploded
Carolyn got up slowly, in such
fashion that all the slender yet opu-
lent charm of her was manifest. 81
am his latest craze; he has come to
regard me as other men old and rich
regard their hobbies. He asks so lit
tie of me-only to endure him, let
him worship me and give me the set
ting he, thinks i Deserve lit hurts
me-here-" putting a slim hand to
her long, white throat. IF L could
either love MIN or hate him, I'd take
him in a minute"
You'd take him anyway if you had
never known that wretched Henry
A1ban," Mrs. Berwick flung back fret
fully. He is one reason I'm so wild
to have you make this match. Have
you heard that Melva's fortune was
all but wiped out in that railroad re-
organ:Za tion?'
mo. Poor thing, 1t must be dread
husband" Carolyn answered reflec-
lively. Then, as a big dark blue car
buried up to the door. she shut her
teeth and said through them: "Elinor,
you may congratulate me before the
fact
The wedding was the social
event of the season. All the grand
children came to :t-bearing gifts like
the Greeks of old. They went away
apDeaSed in 4 sort, but unSatisfied.
Grandad had spoken out through his
lawyers. Each heir presurnptive had
got a rich portion delivered in hand.
All that remained was settled inalien-
ably and in fee upon the new wife,
Mrs. Carolyn Enderby Norris-this
after her husbands death; while he
lived she would have only a large in
dependent income.
1t was all like a dream come true
Il
to count her pennies could, if it
pleased her, spend thousands. She
had, further, a husband who delight
ed to shower her with the richest
tently to find out the things she
cared most about and tossing them
into her lap, figuratively, of course
one cannot thus toss country place,
hunters, carriages with pairs and
equipped. town houses, opera boxes
and all that goes with them. Carolyn
seemed to be a Slorified Cinderella,
and, being very womanly human, was
joyous in being so.
Her husband, fresh colored, white
still erect and not too portly,
fitted into the picture-until he
opened his mouth. Then she cringed
in soul-he made such havoc with
the queens English Yet her sense
of fair play made her keep the cring-
ing hidden. 1t would torture him to
know what she suffered, and she
owed him so much. Having made
her bargain open-eared, she was
bound to stand by it. Therefore she
insisted upon his presence at many
times and places that did not i'm
peratively require it.
Thus it happened he was beside
her, and in full tide of speech, at
an afternoon function at which she
met the Adams. Melva had bios
into a grand dame OF Paris.
I lar r,N,r loI
Titan hue instead of their birthright
dingy brown. She wore also the
newest thing in complexion and a
gown that was the very last word.
Yet her husbands haggard eyes
found no delight in her. He strobe
to C.a, h Les. <afl