The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-02
EVENING STORY
On the Road to Braddock.
(By Susan Claggett.)

Tenant failed them. When he heard
this Grahame found that important
business would detain him in town
and handed his car over to Lawrence
Brooke, who was not pleased with the
turn of events. He and the girl who
was to have been the fourth in Ora
names car were in trouble, and when
it comes to taking sixty-miie drive
with an iceberg sitting beside one it
is not surprising that Brooke was in
a state of mind not describable. AS
for the girl-what she thought was not
evident. But she had whitened sud-
denly when Dorothy's message reached
them. The others had gone on ahead.
There was no time to fill the vacant
places, and pride prevented either of
the two from Withdrawing from the
trip.
The situation was awkward, but it
was carried off by the girl, who seat
ed herself beside Lawrence and
spared no pains to make general talk
This she could do, for she was more
than girl She was a woman who
had travelled and read extensively and
had the fortunate gift of being agree
able without touching upon the per-
sona1.
When it is known that the misun-
Outstanding between the two had re-
suited In the breaking of their en-
gagement it will be seen that it re-
quired both pride and tact for her to
keep to her policy of treating the man
beside her as newly-acquired ac-
quaintance to whom she was making
herself entertaining. Women can do
this thing-men. never Lawrence
was in a state of bewilderment, which
was fast becoming anger.
FINALLY, 1t was anger that held him
In an iron grip, that had grown to
white heat. That she could ignore
be so indifferent to past relations
w hi d..
was determined to know the reason
back of the letter he had received
from her.
1t was coldly worded letter and
gave no explanation as to why she
broke with him. She had merely
stated the bald fact that she had
changed her mfai
IF she thinks she can Keep the
conversation in her hands until we
reach Braddock she is mistaken" he
told himself grimly I'VE viii have a
reckoning before then" He volun-
teered no remark of his own, and no
matter how brilliant a conversations
alist one may be the continued 81
lence of ones companion will event
ually control the situation
So it was with these two. The talk
became spasmodic, faltered, then
ceased altogether. Then he spoke 70
her.
Il have been wonderi ;, Mary, how
long you would be able to keep it up:
wondering when you would sense the
tact there was something of infinite
ly more Importance than this trip You
have been telling me about. No doubt
it was interesting, but the important
topic to me just now is ourselves.
cannot follow the intricacies of your
womans mind and I have sought in
vain for an explanation of the letter
you sent me. You did not answer my
rote, refused to see me. I would not
have forced myself upon you after
that but fate seems to be having a
hand in our affairs, and I should be a
fool not to take advantage of this
opportunity / want to know the rea
son you broke with me, and be sure,
Mary. that I will know the real rea-
son. not a make-believe one. There
must have been n powerful one back
of It. What was %
The road was so filled with vehicles
he had not looked at her. Even now
he did not turn his head, but his
voice was compelling
She did not answer his question. She
could not. Her voice had failed her.
There were tears in her eyes.
Il am very much in earnest. Mary"
he said. after long wait.
AS she did not reply, he drove to
the side of the road and stopped the
car. 1t was then he caught a glimpse
of her quickly averted face. The sight
softened him, but did not alter his
determination to reach an understand
ing. Before he again spoke she said:
Il should have told you, Lawrence,
but I could not. Even now it is diff
ficult for me to speak. You know
Mrs. Endicott, do YOU not. Mrs.
Charles Endicott. of Boston,"
''Well?"
''She called upon me some days ago.
She had a little child with her-a
very handsome boy. She told me his
name was Lawrence Brooke and that
his mother was alive
Still. l don't see" he began,
perplexed. Then his face whitened.
Il understand. Mary" His voice
was harsh. But don't you think it
to me?"
"She showed me letter-a marriage
certificate"
For some minutes he did not speak
Then he slipped his hand into an in
side pocket and withdrew a letter Il
do not know how Mrs. Endicott came
into possession of the paper you men
ton or the letter, but this one is from
the boys mother. Before you read it
l must tell you there are several men
bearing my name. 1t is a name that
is given to the oldest boy in every
branch of our family and more than
once has caused trouble. The father
of the child is the black sheep of the
Brooke family. / do not often speak
of him. but this comes too close to
me- Lawrence deserted his wife three
years ago 1t is an ugly story.
Il prefer MOTTO go into details. but
I have just secured her freedom. She
is one of those women who believed
what God has Joined together no man
should put asunder. and l had diff
Guilty gaining her consent to the pro-
ceedings, but it was the only thing
to do. 1 hope you will be friends with
her, Mary, for she has need of friends
Will you read her letter? She men,
tions you.
1t was short letter, but came from
the heart of a woman who had seen
deep trouble At the last she wrote:
You must bring her to see me.
Lawrence, that sweetheart of yours
1 can hardly wait until then. You have