The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-08
The Euening Story
Heroes and Others.


reflection in the hall mirror before he
pulled on his cap and went limping
paiL-ully away from the house.
Mrs Frake, the housekeeper, who
had known him from frail boyhood.
looked from her window.
Poor Mister WIFI" she murmured.
What a pity. after all his years of
suffering and all the operations, that
he can't be cured. There's his Cousin
Daniels big, strong man, like an OK.
and not needing so much-why could
MT Master Will have had just a wee
bit of that strength
Some one else was thinking that very
same thing at the very moment when
W.. limped along the path that Dor
cered the golf course and disap-
peared in the south meadow.
Alice Long, waiting while Dan Lin
strokes, drew a soft breath of pity
as Wills tall, gaunt form disappeared
from view. Not once had he turned
toward them, although he must have
heard her CHEEKY call-must have rec
ognized the piercing whistle that Dan
sent after him.
He's all in this morning" said Dan,
carelessly. It's a deuced shame that
DR.. Hardness failed to help him,
It's more of blow to Will than
we can imagine said Alice quietly.
Fancy having all the money one
wants and able to buy everything
save health"
''Health-and womans love-"
amended Dan, with a meaning glance
at the girls lovely face:
Money never bought the love of
remarked Alice, flushing under his
ardent glance.
Dan Linscott had plenty of money
Of his own. so he felt no jealousy Of
Dan was sure of himself-of his good
looks, his ability to please, his sue
cess at all athletic sports, his power
to win any woman he wanted for his
wife.
He was even sure of Alice Long,
whose people were victims of genteel
poverty; sure of her love and sure
Of her good sense in marrying such
able as represented by Mr.. Daniel
Linscott.
So he was in no great haste to put
the important question to the girl.
His weekend visit at his cousins
handsome country home afforded him
an opportunity to see her frequently,
and he felt sure that she was only
waiting for him to slip a ring on her
never had seen before-never dreamed
of wearing! ....
Alice glanced at her watch and
pleaded an engagement. She declined
Dams offer to accompany her across
the fields toward home. Nothing 10th,
he remained behind. He could walk
with Alice any time, and the course
was in perfect shape, thanks to Wits
poor chap couldn't play a stroke
himself.
AT the piano or violin he was a
wizard; but as for sports-one re-
membered he was an invalid and ex-
pected nothing of that sort.
Alice struck into the path and fol-
lowed it to the south meadow where
c q handing
above her tranquil blue eyes, she
looked for some glimpse of his gray
clad form.
But he was nowhere visible. The
meadow waved like the sea, knee
high with daisies and buttercups-
Meandering among the flowers ran a
narrow path. Trees were scattered
here and there. and over in the
d-brown cattle were grazing.
Alice crossed the stile and entered
the narrow path She was a strong,
athletic young figure, clad in spotless
ing a brilliant splash of color on the
landscape. A little song trembled on
her lips she went along, but all
the while her blue eyes searched the
field for Will Linscott.
She came upon him suddenly, lying
prone in the grass. his face buried in
his hands, the picture of despair.
Alice dropped down beside him and
WIFI she whispered.
A dull red surged into his cheeks
and left them drawn and white.
Even his lips paled and mis- eyes were
depths of agony and shame.
Don't mind me. WILL she soothed
him softly. why. we've been play
mates and friends for years and years.
Tm-Will, 1 cried myself to sleep last
night when heard DR.. Harkness's de-
cision.'
You're an angel, Alice" he NUT |
tered with downcast eyes Then he
added, with grim defiance, $50 did I
cry myself to sleep like baby just
because 1 couldn't have health. I'm
so jealous of Dan and his strength and
his good looks that I'm beastly cross |
to him. I'm in the deuce of a tenn |
per, dear. There's only one thing J. |
want in the world-it's the love of a |
certain woman and 1 don't dare ask |
her-to marry a clod!"
All the color went from Alice's face. |
her about Willis infatuation for Ruth |
C1arkson, the singer. OF course, SUCH |
a music lover-such d musician as |
Will, would love another musician; it |
was usually So.
Yet he was so dear in his helpless |
ness. He needed a woman who could |
love him sufficiently to devote her life t
to his happiness; woman whose love |
was above any distractinG art or pro- |
fession; a woman whose mission it /
was to serve and be happy in serving.
Dear Will" she said gently, you /
are not a clod-yOur cheerfulness in /
the face of all your trouble is a won
derful example of fortitude to all the
rest of US who have not much more
than rude health. Think of the good /
you did with your money-oh. we all /
know the donor of those anonymous /
gifts in Wellspring. If you had. had |
health like, say, Dan, you would new
err have had so much time to think of /
others And, besides. your music /
brings SO much happiness-if you /
would only try, 1 am sure you could /
become great composer