The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-09
The EDening Story
Thy Neighbor.

and often, yet the lessons of the past
had the most fascinating way of van
ishing utterly when they were most
needed, leaving her defenseless, vic
/ tim of her fancies and impulses.
So now, as she was mounting the
stairs to her studio suite and heard a
decided moaning behind the doors of
/ No. 8, she went straight up the hall
way and tapped on the door.
please, please go away" came a
smothered. fearful sort of voice from
within. Whereupon Elizabeth felt ca
/ pable and protecting, and she spread
/ her wings at once in brooding fashion
over the unknown neighbor in evident
distress.
Il live over you. Let me come in."
she urged. II can't go away and
leave you crying like that"
But I'm not i'll at all. I'm only
only wretched. You can't help; truly
you can't
But Elizabeth was gently, firmly in
sistent, and finally the door opened,
and she faced a most peculiar and in
volved situation. On the couch, face
down in its pillows, was her girl neigh
] Dor. Beside her on a table lay many
parcels, Enthusiastically store parcels,
unopened. and standing by the door
which he had just opened was young
man, gloomy and thoroughly resentful
of the intrusion.
why, I'm sorry thought you
were alone" faltered Elizabeth. She
was so large and dimpled and amiable
it was impossible to be cross with her
NO, I'm with her." returned the
young man, grimly. But she does
neighbor why have-No, 1 know the
way she does. No one man can ger
acquainted with her. She has lived
alone in this internal little dumping
ground Of art-and starved. 1 said
it-starVedi'
Elizabeth looked at him fixedIy, as
she would have at any strange new
specimen. He evidently was not ia
miliar with the spirit of let-aloneness
that pervaded this corner of the
square. She had not even known there
was a girl student in the room be-
meath her until she had happened to
see her at the door one day. Life
was too full of endeavor to waste on
cultivating ordinary social amenities.
The young man went on, almost saw
agely appealing to Elizabeth:
Il knew there was something wrong
and l came up to see how she was
getting along. When 1 found out she
hadn't eaten in two days"
Beast" came from the pillows
with thoroughly vindictive junction.
Elizabeth's mobile mouth had diff
Guilty in retaining its pleasant curves
as she heard it.
And she refused to let me take her
out and feed her up or lend her any
up things and brought them back, and
now she's insulted'
1T was brutal of you" The girl
sat up, and pushed back her hair
Really, she was awfully pretty at short
range. Her hair was fair and tan
gIed as a sleepy child's, and her eyes
were very dark. She fairly glared at
the young man. Did I ever give you
the least reason even to imagine you
could buy me groceries,"
IF had wanted help, I would
have found it,
"Where2"
With my neighbor upstairs, >
haughtily, but with a little smile at
Elizabeth who stood completely baf-
fled at the turn of things. Il know
Miss Dunbar would have helped me to
tide over temporarily"
"Oh, gladly" exclaimed Elizabeth.
We'll, that's all right, too" retort-
ed the young man. But what I want
to know is this-where do I stand ?"
ION your own feet, just as I intend
to stand on mine" came back his an
swer swiftly. you told me you
would never allow a wife of yours to
peddle pictures around magazine Of
fees"
Neither would T." came back the
decided answer. Even Elizabeth real
lied it was a masterful tone, too.
why should you? I have plenty for
us both, more than plenty. You may
paint and exhibit if you like. You
don't have to peddle.''
Il prefer independence in matri-
mony. So long as I have a special
gift"
But you haven't 1 appeal to this
lady, your neighbour. Look at her pic
tures!" he pointed around the studio.
Look at them. Seventeen thousand
other girls all over the civilized world
could paint just as well as she can.
That may be exaggerated slightly
but 1t is partly true. She is not a gem
ius. Is she ~
Elizabeth felt delightfully."- inclined
to laugh and agree with him. The
paintings and sketches around the
studio were lacking in everything that
Went Tor success And the girl was so
pretty and so fearfully sure of herself.
Cant you compromise ?" she asked
eagerly. That is, if you care for him
at all"
oh, 1 care for him." retorted the
girl scornfully. THAT is why he
knows he can come here and worry
me. I'm engaged to be married to
him. 1 can't escape him"
why not break the engagement"
She looked at the young man
thoughtfully. He stood with both
hands in his pockets. hopeful, but ag-
gressive.
she's tried that" he answered
briefly. I won't let her. 1 am apso-
lutely certain that she loves me and
will be happy with me ultimately
But. meantime, refuse to let her
starve.''
Then I'll tell you way out Marry
her. Let her keep up her work here.
Don't interfere with her. Fix up some
attractive home elsewhere if you like.
or take a hotel suite. And gradually
win her"
Elizabeth paused. fairly glowing
over her plan Romance had not
come to her She was rather plain and
too cl yer, but it was delightful to help
others. I'll go upstairs and start
making tea, and 1 want you both to
come up in fifteen minutes. Then Won
can let me know. But don't haggle
and worry each other. Either settle
it one way or the other. COMPROMISE
If you cam You know love is not love
when it seeks its own happiness, chill
dren. y she lauyhad n