The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-19
The Euening Story
Antoinette's knight.
(By Keith Kenyon.

to the floor as her fingers relaxed
their hold. Her head leaned against
the window frame as she gazed
dreamily down the green vistas of the
old rectory garden.
1t was June and the sun lay warm
on the roses and enticed the rich fra
GRANGE from their hearts. Bees boom
ed in and out of the prim hollyhocks.
A thrush sang on the topmost twig OF
the pear tree.
Time moved back 800 years. An
toinette Carey was not the rector's
pretty daughter-she was Lady Betty
F'raire of the romance she had been
reading. Sitting in her oriel window,
Lady Betty had waited for her true
lover to return from the wars. She
had given that bold knight a red rose
| to wear against his heart, and any
day he might return in triumph to
Lady Betty and lay his honors at her
pretty little feet.
Antoinette could almost see him
striding up the long walk between the
bonair, smiling, sweeping his plumed
hat to the ground at the sight of the
beloved face in the window.
Hello, girlie!" called a tender voice
and Antoinette's dream fled as her
lowered glance encountered Bobby
Ortlepp's frank gray eyes. Thinking
of me?'' he asked softly, as he stepped
under the window.
Antoinette stared at him resentfully.
Bobby's plain face. rough tweeds
and villainous old pipe were a rude
awakening from dreams of a Sir Gala
had of romantic charm.
whats the matter?'' asked Bobby
quickly.
"Oh. nothing-only I'm tired OF
everything" sighed Antoinette.
Except me- added Bobby, rush
ing blindly to his fate.
Antoinette was silent. Her brown
eyes were staring into the dimness of
the hedged path.
Bobby's mouth looked grim.
Except mel he repeated signifi-
cantly.
Silence and still that rapt, PARKWAY
look.
Antoinette was twisting ner engage
ment ring around her slim finger. The
diamond flashed and almost dazzled
Bobby's quick glance.
Except mel" he repeated doggedly.
At that moment the ring slipped
from Antoinette's finger, touched the
window sill and then bounded into
the bed of forgetmenots.
"Oh!" cried Antoinette, forced back
into the disagreeable present.
Bobby's face crimsoned and then
went gray as ashes.
He bent down and searched the for
getmenots for the lost ring. At last
he found it and held it toward her.
There was queer expression in his
honest eyes.
Perhaps you'd rather not wear it,
Antoinette,'' he said.
Antoinette thrilled with the excite
ment of the moment. Their engage
ment had followed a lifelong intimacy.
There had never been any doubt of
their love for each other, and their
engagement was ar occasion for de-
lighted congratulations from both
families.
No wonder Antoinette felt as
though she lived in a real romance
when Bobby asked her this moment
Gus question:
Would you rather not wear it
again, Antoinette?''
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp of perversity whispered in her
ear.
Really managed to assume
a slightly bored eally,
Bobby, L don't especially CAR
VERY we1l,'' cut in Bobby, turning
Bobby, 1 don't especially care
He strobe toward the hedged path.
passing the splashing fountain With
the sparkling jewel into the air, to fall
and lie hidden in the water that filled
the deep basin.
MY ring" gasped Antoinette. star
ing after Bobby's form as he tramped
down the path. He did not turn
around. His broad shoulders were set
resolute1y and his firm chin did not
turn the fraction of an inch as he
the path and vanished.
Resentment followed swiftly upon
Antoinette's dismay.
There goes a twentieth century
knight" she laughed shakingly.
Fancy Sir Galahad going off in a pet
like that!.'
Bobby did not stay long, dear" OBJ
| served the rector as they sat down at
dinner. He was a m11d-eyed, mild
hammered man, and he quite ap-
proved of Bobby Ortlepp.
Mrs. Carey looked concerned.
IT suppose he had to be at the hos
pital on time she said.
"fHospital?'' asked Antoinette. go
ing quite pale for no apparent reason.
.'Yes-he told you, dear, of course"
"No-o-o,' said Antoinette. He
didn't stay long. Is he ill?"
The rector shook his head. mo,
child, but you know young Henry
Blair, the foreman in Bobbys fac
AS a last resort, they are going to
try TRANSMISSION of blood. Bobby of
fered himself and was accepted. He
came in and told us and then said
he was looking for you. He wanted
to tell you about it,
HE didn't say a word said An
toinette, family "1s-is-there any
danger, father?''
a big, strong chap, but of course
there's always a risk. Bobby isn't the
sort to let that brighten him." he end
ed heartily.
lis it to be tonight?" asked An
toinette tiInidly.
1T was to be at 5 o'clock. 1 must
telephone the hospital and find out
the result said her father, finish
ing his coffee.
Antoinette, sick with fear, followed
her mother into the library. She
heard her fathers voice at the tele-
phone.
II am very glad to hear it doctor,,