The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-26
EVENING STORY
A Fight for Happiness.
(By susan E. Clagett.)

pocket before answering the question
of his friend, then he said deliberately:
81 had nothing to offer, Jack. Nat
urally, under those circumstances did
not ask her.
What fools you conscientious men
make of yourselves" the other said
irritably. did it never occur to you
that YOU owed her something after
such a summer? Why, man alive, you
were always together. If you were not
riding you were rowing or walking or
sitting on the beach. If she had been
like the rest of the crowd 1t would
have made no difference. but there
are girls and girls, and Sarah Norris
is one by herself"
There was a note in his voice that
made Marshall look at him with
thoughtful eyes.
you too. Jack?"
f.Why not? She refused me long
ago. 1 took it pretty hard at the time.
Then Kate came into my life. She
knows and doesn't mind and Sarah
and 1 are the best of friends. Because
know her so well, know how abhor-
rent to her is this da1lying over the
most sacred thing that can come into
the lives of men and women, / am
Disguised at the stand you have taken.
Her money should make no difference,
but it would seem you put 1t and your
pride before her happiness and your
own.
Her happiness? I never thought
What an ass you are. Did you ex-
pect her to proclaim her feelings for
your benefit 2"
: mo. / never thought she cared"
he repeated slowly.
His friend looked at him in exas-
peration. How old are you, Tom ?
life in the backwoods and knew moth
ing of women"
81 know very little. You forget the
life of an engineer is not spent in
drawing rooms. Last summer was
my first vacation since l left college
had talked with a woman of refine
ment. Building bridges and railroads
through unopened country does not
bring one in touch with dainty wom-
anliness. But I had seen her. She
came to Alaska with quite a large
party when we were working on the
Copper River & Northwestern railway.
A very gay party from all heard. I
saw her several times, but did not
meet her. I never forgot her. When
we met in Maine thought my chance
for happiness had come. Then heard
about her money"
He stopped short. ...-.......-.,..
s"WeI?" - ~
What is the use of talking about it?
I'm out of it. 1 am making it my
business to keep as far away as pos
sible. I suppose in time I will forget.
After all, old Father Time is the best
friend we have. and when ones every
energy is needed to carry through such
an undertaking as we have on hand
there is little opportunity to indulge
in personal feelings. At night I am SO
weary drop into a dead sleep as soon
as touch the bed. In daylight there
is no chance for thought"
The two men were sitting upon
pile of lumber in the government rail-
way construction camp in Alaska. In
the roadway, a mile from shore, a
yacht pulled at her anchor. Nearer, a
motorboat was rushing through the
water toward the landing place. AS
Tom Marshall watched it absently, one
of the two women in it waved her
hand to him.
He turned inquiringly toward his
friend.
you did not tell me you had any
one with you.''
Kate, only. and one guest" Jim
Chapman answered. flicking the ash
from the end of his cigar. Kate did
not care to came alone and felt her
self fortunate when Sarah Norris ac-
cepted her invitation. Neither of
them knew you were here. 1t is your
chance. Don't let any of your fool
notions ruin the situation. The girl
has right to happiness. So have you.
She may or may not care for you, but
you owe it to her to tell her how 1t
stood with you when you left without
word after weeks of constant COM
partnership. You never wrote, I pre-
sume?'
| mo"
well, we will be here several weeks
as 1 have interests that must be
| looked after. Later on, we go to
/ Nome and up the Yukon. Ask for
leave and come with us. There are
wonderful possibilities in the intimacy
of yacht life he ended with laugh.
Marshall shook his head, his face
grim.
you have played me a pretty trick.
Jim. l will never be known as the
husband of a rich woman. People
shall not say l married her for her
money, even if she would have me,
which is doubtful
BLAST the money and blast such
damnable pride! What difference
does 1T make which has it ?''
"All the difference in the world to
me-" Tom Marshall answered and for
a moment silence rested between them
as they went forward to join the two
| who were now standing on the beach.
l. They picked up their friendship
where 1t had been dropped the sum-
mer before. only Marshall was more
silent than the girl had known him.
If she wondered over it she gave no
sign, but now, as then, they were to-
gether whenever 1t was possible for
him to get away from his duties. The
days slipped by so rapidly he did not
realize the length of Jim Chapman's
stay until she told him one evening
they would sail the following morning
This is our last evening" she said
to him, unless you will come with us
Jim says you can get away If you
WISH
Yes he replied somewhat heav-
ily ..but 1 think it best not to 60"
"will you tell me why you feel
that way?" she asked presently.
s His face hardened with sudden re-
| solve.
II think you know"
| Tell me-"
| b.. Because of ych.'
IT cannot believe that. If you con-