The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-12
The Euening Story
Clearing the Coast.
(By Faith Robinson. }

Clearing the Coast.
(By Faith Kobinson)
Mrs Lawrence read over the note
again with her little smile of under
standing.
Poor old boy" she said. And I
did want him to come SO much"
who, Amer"
"Fennimore Diggs''
There came a sudden movement
from the hammock Bah threw her
book across the Veranda and sat bolt
upright, eyes sparkling. color rising in
her vivid, changeable, young face.
when did he come back?"
"Oh, lately, 1 believe" her sister
answered with sigh. DO you feel
like having a storm on the spot over
it, Bab?''
Bah sat irresolute and mute for the
moment 1t was early morning, just
after breakfast. The green willow
table stood between them still with
it's tray of quaint Nuremberg ware
Down at the end of the drive the
waves rolled in, blue and foam-edged-
1t had been just a year since Fenn1-
more had been there, and he had said
he was going away forever.
ST wish the world were not round"
she exclaimed, passionately. They
never go away forever. They just go
round and come back again. They
ought to tumble off the edge"
My dear Bab,' said Mrs. Lawrence
"
ter style. IT don't see why you should
feel anything at all over Fenn's re-
turn. He's nothing at all to you. You
threw him over without the least
provocation."
That's nice thing to say; nice
loyal thing, Anne, when you know the
whole circumstances. He didn't even
deny that he had visited at the Ray
mond's the same time she.iwas there"
They We're only tacitly engaged,
came out of college. Any girl with
any charm at all and tact can make a
college boy propose to her. They SIM
ply beg you to encourage them, and
she really was very pretty, Bah"
81 hate her. Bah declared with dig
nifty to the adjacent atmosphere. Il
had no idea that you would invite
him either while I was staying here.
Anne, I shall go straight over to
olives and stay with her till your
house party is over"
And all Anne's coaxing awaited not.
She would go. Anne might do as she
pleased about writing to F'ennimore
and telling him the coast was clear.
She piled a couple of suit cases, a
touseler Griffon and herself into the
car, and departed the day before the
arrival of guests.
1t was a run of twenty miles over
to Lyndhurst, and Olive welcomed her
gladly, sympathetically. They had
been chumS at Bryn Mawr together,
debutantes together, and close friends
even after Olives marriage to Fenni-
more's best friend, Murray Warner.
Lyndhurst was secluded among the
pines. Murray telephoned from town
he would not be down until Sunday,
and rest and talk over old times
She knew the whole affair over
Fennimore; had even known the girl
Marion Wallace.
nd ri a
old mummy with coolies of cash and
five grown children. So if she had
cared for Fem, she could have had
him when you broke the engage
ment.'
IF Fem had wanted her." Bah
corrected, tearfully. 81 never felt
really sure, Olive; only appearances
were against him. He needn't have
we were engaged He might have
known how it would make me feel"
Fem hasn't an ounce or intu1-
ton" said Olive, musingly. He
Why won't you see him now"
I'm afraid I'd be a little idiot and
forgive MIN the minute ne asked me"
Maybe he wouldn't ask you.
goosie.''
Bah flushed, her dark eyes wide
and indignant.
yes he would, too He never
Sunday morning she slept until I.
Olive never believed in breakfast
trays. She could hear her down on
the veranda talking to somebody.
and the car was standing outside the
garage, so she knew that Murray was
home. Dressed in a pink chiffon
morning negligee, with a pink lace
cap, lace edged, she stepped down
stairs and out on the veranda with out
warning before Fennimore, drinking
his second cup of coffee leisurely
with Olive.
st want to speak to Murray just a
minute, please Olive said hurriedly.
setting her cup down. Bah, dear,
will you pour for me 2''
Bah took her seat in ominous 81
lence. Then slowly, almost perforce,
! she raised her lashes and met Fenn's
eyes full of suppressed enjoyment of
the situation.
! you did this on purpose" she said
haughtily.
here"
Il left Anne's so she might have
you at her house party"
Most sweet and thoughtful of you
/ came here so that you might stay
with Anne without fear Of my COM
pany."
Silence. Bah poured herself a cup
of coffee.
/ You look adorable, Bah. If you