The Topeka state journal., 1916-11-18
EVENING STORY
The Way of a Man.


sisters interrogative comment con-
cerning the too evident state of af-
fairs between her and Owen and as
Betty was never of the wallfiower va
riety of girl, her remark seemed suf-
hciently explanatory
Better not carry that sort of thing
too far, my dear" advised Mrs. More
land, with an ominous air of wisdom.
Having assumed Betty as RESPONSE
bility, she naturally desired to add
eclat to the bare performance of duty.
Its a risky experiment. There are
always other girls, you know"
They are welcome to Mr.. Owens
attentions, I'm sure" remarked Bet
ty. eoolly. "A few other people are
nice to me-
Now. Betty, what's the matter with
you z? demanded Mrs. Moreland Sc
verely. You gave US every reason to
believe you really intended to marry
Mr.. Owen, perfectly suitable match
And it's time you married somebody,
unless you mean to settle into a hope
less old maid. You can't keep up this
trihing forever"
Betty was trying a new style of do
ing her hair, and at that moment was
much absorbed in achieving the
proper twist. She took up a hand mir
ror and carefully surveyed the effect
OF her labor in the long glass that
reflected an image to justify her satfs-
fed smile
What trifiing, dear?', she asked po-
i1tely, when she had assured herself
upon the correctness of her coiffure.
Betty farleigh. you're enough TO
exasperate saint declared the indig-
t1ons you have carried on and lust
Wnen we really thought you were go
ing to be sensible, to flare up like this
IN way to bring about another brok-
en- engagement Such nice man. too
u a hi q c-I, Il
other thing for you socially; and 1
can tell you, my lady, if you ever
mean to marry, you'd better make up
your mind about it soon. In a few
chance
Let us hope for the best" consoled
Betty, with provoking equanimity.
I've never yet gone begging
You will soon if you don't watch
out" was her sisters vicious retort.
Determined to jab her little darts deep
enough to reach any sensitive nerve
that might underlie Betty's invincib1e
armor, she volunteered a little fiction
| she thought calculated to produce
| that desirable effect
Already people are saying that Mr..
| Owen has been won away from you by
Hester Alloson's blond beauty and big
| fortune
"Who are 'people?' ;" inquired Betty
TRANQUILITY, but the involuntary catch in
| her voice and the sudden flash of her
| eyes were not lost on her tormentor.
Min" she continued evenly, ct don't
see how a refined woman like you can
be so vulgar as to be always thinking
of marriage as an investment"
1T is a very important subject, -e-
Tended that lady with composure,
| Especially when one has girl like
you on her hands.
You do it for my good, of course,
said Betty with fine sarcasm, ''but you
are giving yourself a lot of needless
/ Il, f.4 Il
not justify. Since you insist upon taxi
ing him seriously" she went on with
a peace-at-any-price infection in
her tone, ct will tell you some things
about him that you evidently do not
know. Mr.. Owen is simply a very COR
rect gentleman who is eaten up with
| egotism, and who has favored me
with a mild and uncertain admiration
which in its initial stages he mistook
for love. He is beginning to realize
his little error now that his tentative
affections are again occupied with an
/ old sweetheart recently become a
widow. He has told me himself a long
romance about her, declaring she was
the only woman he ever really loved.
tho at the time. of course, he made a
| polite exception of me.
| Shall l enter the lists with this par
agon? Shall I run after him? I think
/ l see myself On the contrary, I have
lust sent back his ring with a polite
| see him again before leaving for my
long visit to Mabel Dacre. So, as they
say in diplomatic Affairs. I hope you
| will recognize that the Owen incident
is closed, and won't worry yourself
any more about it. I'm sure 1 shan't.' -
This unwontedly long and sober
speech from Betty was a genuine sur
prise to her sister, to whom jealous
or neglected Betty was novel and
incredible idea requiring effort to
assimilate.
Perhaps you would Letter manage
it in your own way, my dear, she
said meekly. and withdrew to adjust
her mind to this novel situation.
But Fate-and Owen-refused to
consider the incident closed. That
very evening when the last visitor had
departed from Betty's parlor there
came a quick imperious ring at the
door bell. Thinking her visitor had
forgotten his cane. umbrella or other
of his belongings, Betty opened the
door to admit him. He was a
harassed, appealing Owen, whose
heart was in his eyes. and who held
out both hands eagerly in a way very
different from the correct nonehalance
of his ordinary manner.
. I've been hanging around here for
an hour waiting for that fellow to
leave" he burst out impetuously- "Oh
Betty, I didn't know l could care sc
much for any woman living. What
ever I've done to offend you, and
swear I don't know what it can be
won't you forgive me2 Tell me what s
wrong won't you ?''
! Betty gazed at him with wondering
eyes. and her lip began to tremble-
Il thought you were still in love
with that hateful June and wanted &c
be Free she confessed humbly-
What rot he declared rudely. %
can never be grateful enough to hel
for preferring Hart, poor fellow Won't
; you take me back, Betty? It's my
only chance to be happy
And Betty, with a queer tremulou:
5 smile that almost turned to tears, an
: swered in a way that doubtless was
r perfectly satisfactory to Mrs. More
t | i1and.-(Copyright- 1915, by the Nc
L ~.