The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-18
The Euening Story
The Fate of the Four.
t.By Louise Oliver.)

1
but she had way with her, way
that made every one in the world,
| especially each of her suitors, feel that
he was the only person upon the globe
who amounted to much.
| The suitors just mentioned consisted
of Tom, Dick and Harry. 1 could say
Harry, Dick and Tom just as we'll, for
| it really happened that Harry Hamp-
| den, Richard Ingraham and Thomas
Perrine were the names of the favor
ed ones. Then there was Monsieur
Beaucairei
Probably it was the nickname by
which her intimates referred to her
frayed friend that appealed to Lily's
contrariness Cor PITY to the extent
that she always staunchly stood up
for him.
They called him that because he
was mystery. Not only was his i'm
macu1ate linen fringed and his one
suit and topcoat visibly mended, but
he had presented a card bearing the
remarkable name of Stuart Remark
Dryton Sennly to the family the day
he brought Lily home after a fall on
the ice.
Some day he'll come in gold
buckles and ermine, and flap his
| feathered hat at the rest of US fell
lows" leased Tom Perrine, land say,
Here, you little shrimps and tadpoles,
all of you must scoot now. I'm the
Knight of Ump-de-Ump, the Prince of
$3.50, and also Lord Helpus. Git! The
fair Lillian is mine"
Lily's sister laughed. st don't be-
lieve he would talk that much in a
year. When he comes, Lillian has to
get out all her overtures, etudes and
nocturnes and play for him all even
ing. He just sits and eats her up with
his eyes,
81 think you are all hateful. He is
smart and we'll educated, and it's a
shame to make fun of him because he
is poor"
When Lily and Tom were alone the
subject was dropped.
Lilly, 1 want to talk to you serious
ly.' 1t had come. The corners of her
| mouth went up for an instant. Then
she lowered them hastily and looked
thoughtful.
"Seriously?''
Eyes. Lily. It's time we had an I'M
Outstanding. Don't put me off any
longer. 1 just can't stand it. You
know I love you madly. There isn't
any reason that we can't get married
right away if you will only say, Yes
You know they gave me a boost at
the bank and we can get along in
great shape. You are the only girl in
the world for mel"
Lily puckered her brows. "I can't
tell you today, Tom. I must have
while to think
We'll. All right. I guess I'll have
to wait
That night much the same CONVEX
sation took place with Dick Ingraham.
rich uncle. He had a nice, gentle
manly position as clerk in the water
Office He knew he could not under
| -ake Lily on that, and he put it as
de!icately as he could about his uncle.
Lily was very kind
You are a dear boy, Dick, but
really I'd like you well without the
money. But can't you wait a little
while? Really 1 don't know"
Thus encouraged, Dick promised to
wait.
Then came Harry, who also agreed
1t w&s really time she decided on
which enc Of the three it was to be.
She liked them all. Did she love one
of them enough to marry him? There
were times she was sure it was each in
turn. They were all dear boys.
But there was something-Snc could
not tell just what it was. In the last
few weeks It had seemed hard-s~ than
ever to make up her mind. Could it be
one of the others? For there were
others, dozens, who had offered them
selves as candidates. She thought
Tom, Dick, Harry, Or She flushed
and looked into her startled eyes in
the mirror.
Then she turned out the light and
jumped into bed.
The next day Lily crushed her hand.
1t was all very terrible and she had
to have anaesthetics and doctors and
realize what had happened, her room
was full of flowers and the nurse pre-
sented the envelopes that had come IN
the boxes.
One by one, Lily read the letters
with a puzzled frown.
One was from Tom. Dear Kiddo,''
| it said; II sure am sorry about the
around? No hurry about the other.
Take your time. Yours, Tom
Another, from Dick, ran: Dear
Lillian. my but 1 am sorry about the
little hand! I certainly hope it isn't
so bad as the doctors say. Don't
worry about your answer. 1t is too
bad i bothered you. Take your time.
| Tho one from Harry was quite long
an6 tactful, but from what she could
| gather Harry was Withdrawing his
p1 oposal for the present. 1t also had
the continued-in-our-nex tone.
| Monsieur Beaucaire had sent flow
ers, too, and a note.
Dear Miss Lillian, please accept
There is something of the greatest i'm
portance that would like to tell you
as soon you can see me. I hope
that you will soon cease to suffer.
Yours faithfully. Stuart senn1y.''
Lillian was astonished. The little
token was three dozen American
Beauties with stems as ITALIA she was
Then the nurse handed her the morn
/ ing paper, which gave an exaggerated
account of her accident, adding that
amputation had been necessary.
Her face famed. Immediately she
understood the wiling releases that
had been extended 10 her.
/ But instantly came a softer flush
and the snap died out of her eyes. The
otheri Here was real sympathy and
he had loved her music. Now that she
was facing bare facts, it came to her
that he must have loved her loved her
for her music. Would he care for her
now?
The next day came more flowers
from Stuart, but none from the trio.
/ Indeed as Lily conyalesced she saw
Tom, Dick and Harry from her win
rNfI