The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-05
EVENING STORY
His Dollars and Cents
DIV Flora A. MONTH";

garden wall ana denDeraleiy liStehSo-
"Oh. come. Benson! She's not a
trump As to her being teacher,
she doesn't spread it on, and she's
absolutely human. and alive to a good
time The voice raised in protest,
was deep and earnest. Beth smiled
thankfully. Ned Gretons tones as
well as his words dulled the rasp of
the other.
$50 much the worse She'll be alive
to my money, and 1 won't be safe
from her minute. That's the trouble
of a fellow who is born to wealth"
He sighed in complacent sympathy for
himself.
well, 1 understand that there'll be
one woman of your class here-Miss
Mary LANCE. who is struggling thru
life trying to spend the millions her
father left her. Ned laughed as
eager interest forced off the bored ex-
preston on James Benson's face.
Beth left her hiding place. unob-
served. and Indignantly made her way
to her room. 1t was too bad-that
habit Mrs. Edmond, her hostess, had
of assigning beforehand to her men
guests the girls she expected them to
be nice to. Beth vowed that she would
veil herself in an icy courtesy toward
this wealthy Benson who imagined
himself a target for all unmarried
women.
She chose her 1oveliest gown for
her appearance at dinner that evening.
Be it confessed that Beths gowns
were few, so they were chosen with
that serious consideration that arises
from necessity, and they very deli
cately defined her charms. A soft
wistaria-colored taffeta enveloped her
with regal grace and her golden hair
made shining aureOle to crown 1t ALL
To Ned Greton's mind, she made
most satisfactory contrast to MISS
Mary LANCE, as the dinner guests as
sem bled in the drawing room for the
first introductions- Miss LANCE went
in for social settlements, political
equality, and advanced philanthropy,
and she looked the part Added to
this. she attempted to wear smart
clothes, and affected a coy manner
with the men, Both efforts were I'M
convincing. but, owing to the defen-
sive armor of her millions. she was
protected from the effect of her fall
ures and was received with a defer
ence that flattered her soul
Now, the few ideas that were born
in James Benson's mind passed thru
such q 'moneyed" atmosphere that he
simply could not grasp the fact
synonymous. So when Beth and Mary
sim ultaneouSly were introduced he
listened not for names, but delivered
himself of a reverential bow to the
wistaria gowned teacher and an icy
nod to Mary. He was so volubly af-
fable turnout dinner, regardless of
Beths reserve, that she was bewi1
dered, until in the course of the con-
versation he address her as MY dear
Miss LANCE" Then, without enlight-
ening him, she smiled an appreciation
of the situation at Ned Greton, who
had overheard the remark.
Later in the evening, when the men
Joined the ladies, James Benson di-
rected at Beth a fatuous look and
lisped, Miss Lange, do let me show
you the garden by moonlight" Beth
met hls look with disinterested stare,
and then turned away. while his right
arm was seized with insistent
clutch, and, with gratified simper,
the real Miss LANCE accepted his offer
His thoughts took a sudden mental
! turn and readjusted themselves to the
truth with difficulty as they passed
from the room. Mr.. Benson did not
enjoy that stroll in the moonlight
In the days that followed, the young
millionaire admitted to himself with
what he considered as liberal con-
descension the fact that Beth was not
a trump and that she was really enter
| tanning. And, finally, he became
aware of the fact that Ned Greton.
/ who had nothing but his good looks
and a small salary-though he came
of fine old family-was carefully in
Guiding Beth in all that he planned
and did, and that he, James Benson
resented Ned's attentions to her as an
intrusion on his own superior rights.
Beth proved to be an elusive little
individual. Her high spirits commu-
nicated themselves to her associates
and the hours were filled with gayety.
On the day of the picnic, she was to
go in the launch with Benson but she
developed a violent headache as the
boat was about to leave and remained
at the house Shortly after the young
! people had assem- bled on the island
| took in xUhi o1 n :, n
made the trip alone and started back
/ to the house@a proceeding which
reused a deep disquietude in what
Benson was pleased to regard as his
heart, Very deliberately. the latter
re-entered the launch. and put about
across the bay, arriving at the Ed
mond wharf some time before Ned
reached it,
AS he expected, Beth was wander
ing about in the garden, gaily singing,
her face showing no vestige of illness.
'Er-Miss Ainsley,'' he ventured
Beth whirled about at the sound of
his voice.
"Er-Is your headace better?"
Perfectly well, thank you" She
displayed no pleasure at his presence
| I'm so glad Really, / am I'm
quite interested in all that concerns
you" Benson was trying his best to
be convincing.
Beth's unbelieving smile irritated
him. and he seized her hands ITS
the truth. 1 assure you. It's a shame
for you to work for a living You
don't have to. you know. You can
marry me. None of our family ever
married a poor girl before, but I'm
quite fond of you Shall We announce
to the others when they return? ?"
Beth's eyes blazed. No" she an
swered bluntly.
His self-esteem made him misun-
derstand her refusal Il can't take
No for an answer. Don't be afraid
I'll make you happy
I'm afraid it's not in your power
to do so, Mr. Benson"
You mean that there's some one
else?"