The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-27
EVENING STORY
A Difficult Mission.
(By Napoleon S. Zarick.)

hOnOred me with their confluence
Even when we were chums at school
was the repository of their secrets,
the mediator in their quarrels.
knew that Rowley squirmed under his
exclusion from the football team-a
fact concealed from every one else;
while the keen sorrow which his fall
ure to get into the rowing eight had
awakened in the bosom of John Hart
was to me an open secret.
1t was one day when I sat by my
studio window that Rowley and Hart
arrived together at my door. Now this
was strange. Although equally my
friends themselves. Whenever they
sought counsel. they had sought it
singly. 1 waved my hand toward the
sideboard You will observe that
a man of few words. But neither
Hart nor yet Rowley was in mood
for it. Unrefreshed. they sat down.
Rowley looked at Hart. Hart returned
the compliment. Silence ensued.
Boys" said I. at length. you had
better toss up for who speaks first:
They grinned uneasily and then
Rowley, who is, perhaps, just a thought
quicker than Hart, opened the con-
versation.
Jack" he began. you know Miss
Annie SEYMOUR"
1 nodded affir,natively.
We'll" he continued. its about
in love with her"
lover head and ears" interpolated
Hart
1--WE met her at the same party
have known her for the same length
Of time. and-so far as 1 can see
ia - q r
tention."
"And she?" asked.
Hart took up the thread. She has
Eeen nice-vcry nice to both of us.
he said. I'm fact, Jack, we cannot de-
eide which of us she prefers. And we
don't want to take any unfair advan-
tage."
That's it," Rowley exclaimed. mo
unfairness-no underhand work. A
fair field and no favor. That's why
we've come to you"
But" began.
at, Ell? Well. I'll explain. If Hart will
allow me. We just want you to be
the sa me kind old Jack you've always
been. We want you to-to-well.
dash it alive want you to find out
for us which of the two she really
"Goodi" calculated Hart. ''It viii
be the best way out of the difficulty,
ana we're sure yeu won't refuse, Jack.
VIII you? 2"
sat. up. and lit cigar.
You see, boys" said I, there's
little difficulty in the way which you
don't sesm to have considered. Miss
Annie Seymour barely knows me-"
"Oh. but she does, and likes you,
too" This from Hart.
"Only last night heard her speak
of your strong character You are
the very man to discover her pre-
objections" This from Rowley.
Boys" said 1. its a ticklish mis-
sion, but promise you I'll do my best
the sideboard. This time the tacit in
vitation was not declined. Rowiey
and Hart rose with alacrity and drank
twin glasses to my very good health
Thus I was formally accredited am
-bassador extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary to the court Of Miss
Annie Seymour.
I Dear me, Mr.. winton! You have
been an unjustifable time about call
ing
set lightly about important functions"
And 1 am a Junction."
"a very delightful one, Miss Sey-
mour. But, really, you know. am not
much of a caller"
You call on the muses. daily, am
told"
I but they are never at home. as
sure you
81 wish I were a muse" remarked
Miss Seymour with an adorable smile.
"'But you are" 1 protested You
certainly are-the tenth muse. The
"Of afternoon tea. of course. Won't
you have some tea, Mr.. Winton?'
seated myself by the tea table. and
entered upon my mission.
BY the way" was my first shot,
st saw John Hart yesterday"
Indeed? Sugar, Mr.. Winton?"
both together
Really! Cream, Mr.. Winton? ]
think it is so stupid to put the cream
in first
Both of my shots had failed! For
young woman supposed to be deep
1y interested in two young men. Miss
Seymour's matter-of-fact reception OF
those young mems names seemed sin
gular indeed. There was no telltale
blush when I spoke of Hart; no tremoT
appeared at the mention of Rowley 20
shake the white hand that held the
cream pitcher. Either Miss Seymour
had all the nerve of a gambler-or
else she was not in love with either OF
my two friends.
1t were useless to detail our CONVEX
sation. Suffice it that. although I re-
turned again and again to the charge,
1 filed to arouse in Miss Seymour the
slightest evidence of interest either in
Hart or Rowley. 1 spoke of their sterl-
ing qualities, recalled instances OF
brain, Drawn and bravery in school,
in college and in the busy world. Miss
Seymour listened, sometimes COM
mented, occasionally expressed mild
approval. but always managed to
change the subject
And the odd part of it was that she
changed the subject from my friends
affairs to nine-dispIaying indeed, a
flattering. if unaccountable. interest
in all my humble doings. In the end
I became desperate. Daring tactics
4 1 felt, were the only means at hand.
Miss Seymour" 1 said, you do not
seem to be enthusiastic over either
Bob Rowley OF John Hart?''