The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-22
The Euening Story
Pastel Shades.

one man In her set was nearu " say
in speaking of Priscilla, ''she has
personality that is of pastel shades
why, links, you're waxing almost
poetic. That's one of the pest tnlnSs
ever heard you say" laughed rom
Royden, slapping him on the back
Eyes, Priscilla is made up of pastel
shades, now that think or II.
Thus, since the artistic mind always
favOrs the soft tones in nature, tne
half shades of life. Priscilla was most
of her social set
You can stand such a lot of Pris-
ella Walker" another man had salo
of her. "She never bores you W,ti1
brilliance nor lulls you to sleep WITH
her lack of presence. She is just COM
Portable; the more you know OF her
the better you like her.
Hire a hall and make a speech
about her, why don't you asked
Tom Royden again; for it was 10 him
that the second remark also vas made.
-Or write her about it, l never heard
so many eloquent compliments :pout
any one little drab-colored girl, he
said with some heat.
Never drab- colored, Tom. Any
thing but that
That's SO, Bill; old maids are drah.
aren't they?'
And, thereafter, in spite of himself.
he was drawn toward Priscilla He
told himself it was only to find gu.
what it was that Bill Hayden and Bon
links were always talking about. But
the more he was thrown with her
the more he danced with her, dined
with her, talked with her-the moi
he had to admit her fascination.
Her personality seems to be al
fits into my mood Now, what both
erS me is this: does she fit in this way
to every fellows notion? Does every
fellow think she's just the right girl?'
Tom pondered these questions
L, L, frr1f
length he became a frequent guest in
the home of Priscilla's parents in
their country place on Long Island.
And it was during visits in her home
that he began to gather, through close
the, reasons for her per-
Sonality.
Her father, an unusually successful
business man, was bluff and noisy,
self-centered and very proud of his
achievements in the material world.
Her mother was the antithesis of the
father; she was diffident, quiet. re-
sweet Priscilla, born I'M
selfish, had tried all her life to please
both parents. She had listened to and
admired her father on all occasions,
drawn him out on his favorite topics,
Hattered him a little. With her
she tried to be as interesting
as possible; she attempted to make
the little woman feel that she was
a part and parcel of the world in
stead of a retiring, almost Subdued
creature. And Priscilla succeeded in
bringing more color into her mothers
personality thanlaDy one else had
ever been able to do. Mrs. Walker
was almost at ease when Priscilla was
about. sy
Priscilla" Tom asked one night as
they sat at coffee before the log fire
in the dimIy lighted living room, lis
there anythingiyouican' do-anything
you are not interested IMP" 1.
Priscilla, laughed softly and studied
the black coffee in the tiny cup she
held. 'Why-yes, 1 suppose there are
many things 1 can't do"
For instance ?"
81 can't vote" she laughed
and don't want to. I hope" added
Tom, testify.
"Oh-h. but do. I'd like very much
1t is hardly my way to-well, to get
out and fight for it," she said
Next" persisted Tom.
ooh, don't force me to talk of my
self; it isn't an interesting topic
Not to you, perhaps But, Pris-
cilla," Tom leaned toward her lit has
become the most absorbing topic for
conversation and considera-
tion-to me-"
Priscilla only smiled a sweet, nom
committal sort of smile.
Did you hear what 1 Said?' he re-
peated..
Priscilla nodded. 'why-yes, Il
think 1 did," she admitted.
Girl. don't you know most girls
would have olushed-if they weren't
past blush1ng-or simpered or looked
shocked? And yet you receive that
you know very well is
only the forerunner of more and Sc
rious ones as if l mad said it was a
pleasant day. Priscilla, look at me-"
Priscilla turned her soft blue eyes
full upon him. Slowly smile dawned
in them even as she looked at him.
''Well?" she asked. What them"
What then? 1 love you. 1 can't
stand it to be away from you for
day. And yet 1 have that awful feel
ing that you are all things to all men
to all people in the world And 1
Jealous; I want you to be mine
alone"
Button" she said, calling him
by the familiar title for the first
formality with her. What makes
one %
"Oh, the fellows are always making
poetic remarks about you; they're al
ways looking at you; always wanting
to do something for you. And the
girls adore you! So where do come
in? Can you tell me -? Or is it against
that tantalizing policy of yours to tell
me, Priscilla %
You come in-just where you
ike, she said with characteristic
quietness.
Tom jumped to her side. "Pris- |
cillaI Say it againI You love me |
You really care for me?" he asked |
her face. II did not dare |
to hope, and yet-oh, 1 wanted you |
So
Priscilla leaned up against him as |
he sat on the big leather arm of her |
chair. And I've wondered for a long |
time when you were going to tell me |
known T
she said. hiding her face in his |
eve.-(Copyright. 1915, by the Nc |
Clure Newspaper Syndicate
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