The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-07

- merry-moclkines atouched -withal
With q purpose.
The house party turned out to be
Extraordinarily gay. but somehow Billy
made herself the star of it. Not OBJ
truslvely-rather she seemed to be
pushed into the lnneli6ht by chance.
MI. Lawrence Gordon, who at first
sight pronounced her insignificant.
decided next dSy that she had q
world Of charm. Perhaps because she
beat him at all his own games, tennis.
bridge, even antiQuated croquet-ant
strange to relate In his speciality
yelled filtration. Ostensibly she pass
60 him by-but gave him side glances
peared glad to sit out his allotted
dances. but in no way showed the
least inclination toward a monopoly
or his fascinating society. If she
monopolised anybody it was Dan. At
first Rosa sighed thankfully, feeling
that after all. Billy had come thus in
directly to her help. But. at the end
OF the first week, she was almost
ready to agree with Lawrence when
he said. Have you. thought your
she may be playing serious game
with your betrothed?'
"She wouldn't dare-even IL she
could bring herself to do 1t. She is
only helping u.s." Eosa cried, but not
with conviction. Already she had
uOtcu now Ian nuuS ABOUT Billy
how he smiled at her-and even
talked when the pair was out of ear
shot but in sight Of the rest. She
knew Billy was not mercenary. Be
sides having money OF her own she
had refused the best chance in the
country-for no better reason than
that he did not please her Suppose
Dan pleased her? Women were so
queer in their fancies. Besides. Dan
had improved wonderfully of late.
Since he had put on flesh and showed
q healthy color he was even distin-
guished looking. She began to con-
trast him with Lawrence. dark and
ruddy, and already limiting at portli-
ness. though he had not come to
thirty. The contrast was not pleasing
1T showed her she had been in dan
ger of very great folly. Suppose she
had been mad enough to elope with
Lawrence! He had only a small pat
rimony-hardly enough to keep him
above water until he was established
in his profession.
She began also to watch Billy
narrowly. In result midway the Sec
ond week, she sought her room at
bedtime, prepared to have it out with
her. 1t was empty-and far down on
the terrace, she caught glimpses Of q
white frock and the glow OF a cigar.
Billy and Dan beyond a doubt! Scan
uoIAACu, SHC CIcPt uPou tHcin anu III
8. e covert Of shrubbery heard them
chuckling. Dan had been saying
something-very shortly Billy an
swered him: "Yes-the backfire has
worked beautifully. II you please
sir. I want two pigs for helping you
instead of a measly one"
whole penful-if you'll take 'em,"
Dan returned again, chuckling. PRO
vided you tell me how you ever found
out 1 was so jealous Of that fellow
Gordon? hadn't admitted it-even
to myself-yet it made me angry all
through to see him with Rose-and
the way she looked at him."
"Oh. I'm a mind-reader," Billy re-
turned with a giggle. IT knew it
would be awfully hard on you-but
you've played your part magnif1cently.
Think you can hold out to the end of
called home in the morning."
''Why-Ive been thinking of hold
ing the party on another week." Dan
said guiielessly. = Hard! Why tits
the best fun 1 ever had--you know
I never ha the least chance to court
my Rose"
Make one-when we're gone,''
Billy counselled. Rose slipped away
| unseen. Next morning she was so i'll
the house party broke up instantly.
The breaking had a wonderful effect.
AS soon as the house was clear, she
popped into the library, where Dan
sat, a picture Of anxiety, to say: "If
you don't mind, we'll get married next
| month-and take a trip to Europe,
staying a year at least. '-(Copyright.
1915. by the Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate.)