The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-02
EVENING STORY
The Test.
(By Earl Reed SAvers.)


seashore for exactly thirteen days.
Her vacation was rapidly approach
ing its close and Eleonor was trou-
bled. She did not want to go back
again to the hustle and hustle of the
city; she wanted to stay at Seacliffe,
where she could see Ned Stanley ev-
cry morning, noon and night. For
Eleonor had begun to care very much
for Ned, and in her heart of hearts
she admitted to herself that she hoped
Ned had begun to care for her.
1t had been wonderful week.
During the first part of her stay at
Seacliffc Eleonor had simply sat
around the hotel porch, dressed in
the proper gowns, doing the proper
things in the proper way. But just
a week ago Ned had appeared, and
after that things were different. He
had taught her how to dive thru the
ocean waves and enjoy it; had shown
her how to ride horseback without
feeling that the end of the world had
come; had demonstrated several new
steps which had changed the whole
aspect of the fox trot. In fact, Ned
Stanley had changed colorless exist
ence into colorful life.
Eleonor gazed thoughtfully over
the sun-kissed ocean. She and Ned
were to spend the evening at the
direct, but sitting for the most part
in the corner of the porch. She had
something to tell him She looked
rather hopefully up and down the
broad piazza, but the object of her
thoughts was nowhere to be seen.
He was late for supper, but directly
after the meal he met her on the
steps of the hotel. He was dressed
immediately in blue serge coat, spot
less flannel trousers, white socks and
shoes
Hello. little lady IN white" was
his method of greeting. What shall
we do tonight?''
Just stay around, 1 guess Her
blue eyes rested questioningly on his.
Don't you want to?"
Il sure do There was the slight
est hint of laughter in his voice. 1T
means the last time we will be to-
gether in Seacliffe"
We've had a wonderful time. have
MT we?" She seated herself behind
him on the porch.
Just fine" He spoke enthusiastic
cally- 'But We're going to keep right
on having good times, aren't we?''
do you mean after we go back to
the city?"
iOf course
Il don't know" She spoke slowly
Don't know WHAT"
THAT Wen see each other much,
after tonight"
He looked at her wonderingly.
.'Why?"
She smiled little twisted smi,e
which bOrdered on the pathetic.
'.Oh, you know how things always
are after summer vacation. People
forget"
But we're not going to-" He
spoke earnestly. Surely we'h see
each other in New York
Are you coming to see me when
you get back?"
Il certainly am"
but how about all the girls you
have told me about; girls in your own
set, like Gladys Romaine and Beverly
Baldwin,"
He WINGED.
'They don't count now" he said.
but they will count" she persisted
you'll want to go to dances and
house parties just as you used to, and
you'll forget all about this summer
and me-"
He smiled-away her doubts
q couldn't forget about you" he
said.
''An right, let's don't talk about it,
She laughed lightly, but her eyes were
troubled. There goes a one step;
want to try it ?'
Side by side they made their way
into the ballroom, and it was not un-
til after midnight that Eleonor re-
verted to the conversation of the early
evening. They sat together in a far
corner of the porch, and a late moon
hung suspended over the throbbing
ocean.
This is our last time together" she
said softly.
What do you mean?' He looked
up quickly
after tonight you mustn't see me
any more She tried to speak casu-
ally, but there was a tremor in her
voice which all her attempt at bravery
could not conceal
'Oh, you don't mean that" he pro-
tested. 81 thought we were going to
see each other lots
mo, I-guess it's all over, after to-
night
But didn't you say I could see
you?''
Yes, but-you just can't she fin
ished weakly.
He rose and stood so that the light
from the moon shone directly into her
face.
Il don't understand" he said "Why
can't 1 see you?''
you just can't. It's all for the
best, she continued fervently. I'D
rather not tell you why"
Are you engaged?" There was a
hurt look in his eyes.
NO"
He sighed relievedly
Ihen there isn't any reason why
can't see you"
There is Won't you please take
my word for it anu not try to?" she
pleaded.
He glanced down half angrily Her
eyes We're bordered with tears, and, IS
he watched, one large drop uuiyered
in the moonlight and rolled down her
cheeks. In an instant he was sitting
beside her, her head pillowed on his
shoulder.
"Oh. you mustn't see me any rnore,r
she soDoed. My name isn't Eleonor
R1leIgh at all: it's just plain Ellen
Reilly. and I'm a stenographer down
town.
He raised her face to his.
And do you think that will make
any difference?"
Yes. it will" Her hand rested on
his arm If you were only like peo-
pie know, things would be all right