The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-27

But it isn't real love- 1 tell you. when
fellow does find the real thing he
knows the imitation
Yet Gwen gazed musing1y at the
two figures circling the island shore.
They kept very near to each other,
bending over to search for shells
among the driftwood and seaWeed at
the hightide mark Then, as if he had
caught her wireless, Flick raised him.
self and looked back at her to wave
his hand.
of a boy Mr.. Habbeton is, she said
Larry was telling me how good ne
was to him all the year He's very
unselfish, 1 think. You can almost
he is, can't you?''
Flick has a very open face" re
piled Dolf guardedly. He seems TO
be catching the epidemic all right"
he would be just satisfied with a
filtration somehow. He seems deeper
than that. He told me that girls just
seemed to represent certain apstract
qualities to him. He thinks that &C
counts for the momentary attraction,
don't you know"
wait till Joan finishes with him."
Dolf limited darkly. You can see IL
starting up now
Gwen looked meditatively down at
the beach. 1t was not at all as she
had planned, and yet it was. She mad
felt sorry for poor, good old Flick
She had invited Joan up to give him
a new interest in life, to divert him,
so to speak, and yet now that she saw
them together, in proximitous pro-
pinquity, so to speak, with all it's at
tendant dangers, she felt curious
thrill of resentment. Did Dolf com
penSate for the loss of Flick! Doll,
who, by his own confession, had loved
Joan?
1t was Larry who carried the weight
of conversation, with Aunt Helen's
help, when the party gathered in the
bungalow. Even Joan seemed thought
full, and when she met Dolfs steady,
accusing gaze she flushed ever
slightly and turned to Flick. And
Flick deserted his colors shamelessly.
He sat out on the railing with Joan
and sang in the moonlight. He took
her for a stroll in the same moon
light When the girls retired the lit
tie oldfashioned sprig of wild pink
that Joan had worn in her hair was in
Flicks buttonhole. Dolf smoked
apart and let Larry babble on the
good old days at college. But the
next day he took up the challenge
trotted after Gwen, and Ovens eyes
followed the two. who seemed to find
the very lonesomest, cosiest hooks
among the rocks to sit in. Somehow
Dolf palled. She began to wonder
how she could ever have overlooked
Flick's sincerity. That was what
in a man. 1t wasn't geniality
and a perpetual smile. 1t was some
thing deeper. something that lay
closer to the heart. Yet she had asked
Joan to keep Flick busy, and Joan
was surely doing it.
1t was the end of the weeks visit,
a gorgeous night when the whole sea
seemed gun metal tint, and big
moon came UP to turn
it golden. Gwen sat pensively watch
81 f,,r
houette across the path of gold. 1t
was dark on the veranda. She sat in
the shadow of the vines and saw Joan
and Flick-no, it wasn't Flick, it was
too short and chunky for Flick; it
was Dolf himself. They came out of
Joan were being pursued. At the rail-
ing she stopped and backed against it.
'Dolf Cramer. you ought to be
ashamed of yourself. Let me alone"
Il won't" said Dolf. doggedly. I've
stood this as long as I'm going to. Am
to stand around helpless and let a
cub like Flick Habbeton walk off with
the only girl 1 ever loved right under
Flick doesn't care for me that
way" Joan replied softly. He's sim
ply wild over Gwen"
Gwen started to move, but hand
closed over hers from behind. and she
felt FIick's presence The shin had
passed out of the golden path now.
but every upcurling ripple on the
beach was gilded
You do care, don't you, joan"
begged Dolf, desperately. Remember
the old times back at Richmond? How
many times did I propose to you
then?''
Every hour" laughed JOAN eff
Flick had one hundredth part of your
Dolf, Gwen would never
have wavered."
Around Ovens shoulders stole
Flick's disengaged arm, and she did
not draw her hand away when he |
found it.
He hasn't talked of anything else |
ever since 1 came" Joan went on. Its |
been, deliciously funny. He's been
oractlclng on me, and he's scared to
Heath of Gwen. She's rather-weIl-l
Dolf?"
81 don't want to talk of anybody
out you" murmured Dolf tenderly. |
Gwen hasn't treated me to anything |
out descriptions of F'lick's noble ex-
preston and splendid. depths. Joan, |
nave l got an able expression, too?' /
after week of poor old Flick" Joan
said, thankfully. Did give you back
your ring the last time, dear?'
Dolf's answer was inarticulate. The
Wo shadows had merged one. Flick |
said nothing. All his wooing had been
lone for him by his rival. He bent
ow over her, leaning his head against
.ingertips he held-(Copyrighted
1915. by the Mcclure Newspaper Syn
1icate.)
RAll0TING RFGINH.