The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-09
EVENING STORY
TemperamentaI Peggy.


the curtained French door shut be-
hind her. She had seized the first
opportunity to get away from the hot,
crowded drawing-room into the invit-
ing cool, green recesSeS.
But she was disappointed in her
search for solitude, for man in
stantly rose from the depths of a
wicker chair an bowed courteously.
Il beg your pardon, painted Peggy
81 didn't mean to disturb you. l
thought the place was untenanted and
it looked so cool and tempting from
the other room 1 couldn't resist"
Don't apologize, please! It's pleas
ant to be disturbed, sometimes And
from the scenery if you wish to be
alone"
NO, don't CO." she begged and
smiled so prettily that Jack Park
needed no second invitation to re-
main. The applause started again and
grew so insistent that Peggy held up
a hand LISTEN. They want another
encore. Aren't they greedy"
II wish Gardner would give it to
them to keep them quiet he said.
II don't believe she will" she
answered settling in a low chair be-
side a fountain full of gold fish and
dabbling her hand in the water. Sit
down and let's talk. This is more
fun than their stupid old musicale. L
don't care if you are host You prob
ably are, you appear to be SO very
much at home.
He came over and sat on an India
stool facing her. 1t was quite half
minute before he answered for he was
stamping on his memory picture or
a fresh-skinned, simply dressed girl
before him, her soft white dress con-
trasting strongly with the violent
stripes of the over-dressed audience
beyond, and her hair, soft chestnut
brown and drawn back in loose knot
at her neck, fascinated him.
II am at home, but not host" he
answered finally. II hate nusicales.
too! I'm Jack Park and have the
Jessie is Mrs. Crixton-Payne."
The clamor had died away, discour-
aged, and now the soft strains of
violin came to them family.
There's KliHgler," said Peggy. He
knows how to play. Don't you like
him either?"
He spread his hands deprecatingly.
Don't ask me! 1 guess l like music
all right. but l don't understand it.
If ne would play When It's Apple
Blossom Time in Normandy I'd throw
up my hat, and if Gardner would sing
'Mammy's Little Alabama Coon I'd
join in the chorus, but this grand OPP
era stuff is beyond me-" He shook
his head. Il don't understand how
people can lose their heads over music
and musicians Theys a queer lot,
anyway"
Polly was laughing. Your taste,
isn't bad, only you want to come for
ward a few years Your apple bios
SONS and pickaninnies grew several
years ago and in the meantime we
have had several very good crops of
up-to- date stuff
Can you sing?''
"Oh not to speak of 1 can lit
tie"
Twill you sing Alabama Coon for
me- SCnA dave
"Gladly.' Then, suddenly looking
out over the grounds she exclaimed,
who is that funny fat old man.
He followed her eyes. THAT is, I
think, Gardeners business manager"
Really What a bore to have to
travel around with an uninteresting
person like that. L suppose he domi-
neerS over her and won't let her eat
this, that or the other thing while he
stuffs himself, and makes her walk
five miles every day While he rolls
around in automobiles, and makes her
accept engag ements which she hates,
and insists upon her practicing when
she'd rather be out playing tennis,
and altogether makes himself a gem
eral nuisance"
No doubt" laughed Jack Il sup
pose she detests him.
lust Think" she went on. There
he is now out there lolling around in
that delightful place while his poor
opera singer is enduring all kinds of
agonies m this hot house.
Awful declared Jack. Lets go
out and give him punch and dump
him into the lake.
Peggys eyes twinkled s'Graciousi
What hair-trigger disposition you
have! Poor little Dutchmani" Then,
suddenly jumping up! But I'll go
out with you just for a lark. 1 feel
it exactly-but I'd like to do some
thing awful I've been shut up pretty
| much lately working hard. Don't look
SO surprised, it's true. And I'd like to
break loose and do something uncon-
ventional.'
Jacks eyes kindled. II get you. 1
feel the same way myself. Let's sneak
out this way. move we give Herr
Dinklespiel a ducking.''
Peggy giggled. Maybe he'll be
gone when we get therei'
Jack held the door and they soon
found themselves on the terrace
''All right, then we'll find something
else Want some chocolates?'' He
took a box out of his pocket II get
them for the kids. Jessie doesn't al
low them to have any, so 1 have to
smuggle Them
Peggy broke the seal and fished out
she exclaimed. admiringly. ST adore
any one who has courage to DEFY the
laws of conventionl"
Jack bowed appreciatively. I'll
commit murder instantly. There.''
He stepped on an ant my reward.
please.
Peggy held a chocolate cherry to
his lips and he devoured it eagerly.
They came to the end of a pergola
and below them spread the lake. On
bench a hundred yards or so away
sat the little fat man putting a cigar.
The lake was directly beneath him
''Sh." whispered Peggy, drawing
back. Don't let him see us,''
| Shall I?'' asked Jack eagerly
She hesitated, then nodded impul-
sively. Yes, yes, it will do him good,
I've heard how mean he is to Gard
ner.''
So. tiptoeing through the shrubs,
] Jack grabbed the bench in both hands,