The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-22
The Euening Story
Loves Cottage.

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tramping toward the golf links when
Ernest Weatherby overlook him.
Weatherby was inclined to middle
aged stoutness and under the burden
of his bag of clubs he was pink
faced and perspiring. His breath came
pantingly.
He clapped Jack Familiarity on the
shoulder.
BE the first to congratulate me-"
he gasped excietedly. I'm engaged
to Nancy Durwent."
Jack faced him with impassive
countenance, but he felt that some
thing within mis- breast grew cold and
still and then throbbed painfully.
You are indeed fortunate" said
Jack coolly, holding out his hand.
Miss Durwent is a charming girl"
Weatherby fell into step and bah
bled necessarily of Nancy and her
undeniable charm of person and char
acter.
Jack inwardly writhed as he lis
tened, for was not Nancy Durwent
everything Weatherby described and
much more? Wasn't she the only
girl he had ever loved-ever could
love? And now, to hear from Wealth
erby's lips that she was to marry the
popular clubman!
He gritted his teeth-wen, Wealth
erby was rich and Jack was merely
an artist only Just out of the Strug
Cling state and not yet quite arrived
at the pinnacle of success. He was
promising latest picture might
prove his arrival
But Nancy was beyond his reach
now. He knew the Durwents were
socially ambitious, but he had
thought the youngest and fairest
daughter was-different.
He tied off with desrerate swing
of his club. Weatherby watched the
ball sailing through space, suddenly
to disappear among little group
around the second hole. The group
broke and then closed again.
Great Scott, Loring!' yelled
Weatherby, dashing off at lumber
ing trot. ''Y ou've hit somebody with
that ball. I believe it's Nancy"
Jack followed him with ng strides
and they reached the second hole to-
gether.
Nancy Durwent was the center of
sympathetic group who were ex-
aiming a red bruise on her round,
white arm.
IT am sorry" said Jack, pushing
past Weatherby. i'tI7-I didn't see any
one about hope you are not bad
ly hurt, Miss Durwent.",
Nancy smiled and pulled down her
sleeve.
1T hurt little at first she said
sweetly, "'but after it is bathed in cold
water it will be better. Pray, don't
will happen on the links, you know!"
You are very kind, but L wish
there was something I could do"
urged Jack. II can fetch a doctor,
if you WISH
please don't trouble Nancy was
beginning when Weatherby elbowed
Jack aside and joined his fiancee.
Nancy flushed at his air of pro-
prietorship.
I'll look after Miss Durwent, Lor-
ing he said significantly, and Jack,
flushing painfully, bowed himself
away and went back to the teeing
ground. AS he followed the ball to
the hole he saw Nancy, escorted by
take the short cut through the woods
to the clubhouse,
Jack was in a suppressed fury the
rest of the day. There was to be a
dance at the clubhouse that night and
he had promised to go; but how could
he face Nancy when he knew that
now she was beyond his reach? He
told himself he ought to be glad-if
she was the sort of girl to sell her
self for Weatherby's money and
houses and motors, for Jack was sure
that Nancy did not love Ernest
Weatherby.
He su1ked in the veranda of his
pretty little bungalow all afternoon,
many minutes. He would sell the
bungalow and never come to Ingle
side again; he would go abroad
around the world, perhaps-and for
get false Nancy Durwent, who had re-
pudiated love and chosen money.
In that brief moment on the golf
links he had seen Weatherby's great
solitaire sparkling on Nancy's left
land. Jack laughed bitterly at the
thought that he had planned SO surely
tl,nf ba ho6 hoo hi Il or oI- 20
engagement ring. a beautiful sapphire
and diamond cluster, reset and refash-
Toned to fit Nancy's finger.
well. it's all over" he shrugged,
but the bitterness strengthened
The next morning he was in the
veranda reading the paper when there !
came the trot, trot, of horses hoofs
on the bride path that wound up to
the foot of his steps.
He did not need to lift his eyes to |
know that the early rider was Nancy |
Durwent. for he knew the peculiar lit |
tie clipping trot of Pedro, her horse. |
How altogether charming she look |
ed in her crisp, cool white habit Her |
and her dark blue eyes shone behind |
a filmy veil of long, dark lashes
Heavy white gauntlets covered her |
slim hands
Good morning. most inhospita bic |
of men," she laughed at him.
Good morning, Miss Durwent, he
returned gravely. Il am honored by |
your early morning CALI
IF you-smiled it would sound |
more sincere" she pouted.
Jack bowed, but he did not smile.
Thank you for the beautiful flow /
ers," she went on gayly.
II was relieved to be told there were |
no serious consequences due to my |
stupidity" he said
Thank you, it was really nothing" |
said Nancy A wistful look came into |
her face The flowers were from |
your own garden. / recognized them !
Jack shook his head sOh no. he |