The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-08-12

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Cant l have a little amusement with
the only eligible man left in town.
DO you consider it amusement to
ruin a mans happiness and break his
hearth asked Esther.
"Oh. mems hearts are not so easily
broken" Laura answered. "He thinks
he is irresistible, that middle-aged
man of owe forty, and l nm going to
teach him a little lesson which he
sorely needs.
II have been leading him on and to-
night | expect he will call, and n little
encouragement win soon bring him to
the proposing point. And then l shall
rise and say, Thank you, sir, for the
honor you propose to do me, but | am
not taking any"
Laura - exclaimed Miss Rogers In
horror. Then, with rising indignation,
Il think it is dreadful of you to pro-
pose to break a good mans heart in
that way, and l don't want to know
any more about It,"
81 believe you're after him yourself,
Esther" sailed Laura, mockingly. But
Esther walked past Charles in the
darkness, SO near that she almost
brushed him, and he heard her con
yulsive sobbing as she went by.
Charles waited a few moments, hut
in those moments he experienced one
of those revulsiOns of feeling that urn
love into bitter hatred. And then,
haying regained his S%elf-control, he
went forward into the garden. Miss
Dean he called.
why, is that you, Mr.. Dawson7'
called Laura's voice out of the dark
ness. II was hoping you would call
tonight. Do come and sit down be-
side me, won't you, and tell me about
the West"
Charles Dawson sat down on the
seat. He could just see Laura's white
dress.
He cleared his throat. THE fact is,
l came to speak quite seriously to
you, Miss Dean" he said. 1T is a
subject / have thought over for u long
time. Now there is the n question
in my mind, and l must ask it,"
What is it," asked Laura, softly.
II am in love-" said Charles, taking
her hand in his. And l haven't the
courage to ask her"
Faint heart never won fair lady, y
said Laura, letting her hand rest in
his. who is she? But let me see if ]
can guess. l should say-well, Esther
Rogers"
You've hit it first time" answered
Charles.
Laura's hand leaped out of his
"Wh-whatY she stammered.
1T is Esther Rogers, and 1 have
loved her all my life" said Charles
do you think 1 am worthy of her
Do you think there is any chance fol
me?"
"Oh, yes" said Laura, Historically
81 suppose so. You are of an age, you
see" she added venomously.
Then l shall ask her" said Charles
rising. "Of course, a man with my in,
come has to be careful whom he asks
So many women have mercenary in
clinations in this age. There are lots
of the young girls about here who
would jump at me-but I'm not taking
any,"
How dare you, Mr.. Dawson! ~ be
gan Laura, rising, too. do you dar'
to ~insinuate that L"
."Oh, no., indeed; you misunderstood
me-" answered Charles. 'I-but per
haps 1 made an unfortunate state
ment. Good-evening."
And, raising his hat, he left Lauri
in collapse upon the bench and mad,
his way ~leisurely to Esther's house
His heart was singing, for he knew
now that youth turns to youth ant
middle-age to middle-age; and h
knew, too, that his love for Esther
deep in his heart, had been the guild
ing star of his life.
Esther, standing in the living room
looked at him ~piteously when he cam
in. She could hardly restrain tn
tears that came into her eyes. Sh
t had resolved to go away, never to Sc
him again. What was he saying
| She looked incredulously at him
5 she felt his arms about her and he
own heart beating and then the Ions
long waiting was merged into tn
= happy now.