The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-09
EVENING STORY
Mary Changes Her Mind.
(By Louise ,oliver.)

AS the train pulled into Meridian,
Jack Painters thoughts were also fin
ishing long journey of retrospection,
a period covering five years, the exact
time he had been away from home.
The thoughts had much to do with
a girl a girl whose picture fitted in
the back of his new five-hundred-dol-
lar watch. When he had left Meridian
the photograph had adorned the case
of a one dollar watch. Thus had Jacks
fortunes changed and he was wonder
ing whether or not the change was
good one for him, and he was doubt
full about the wisdom of telling of his
luck
To be plain, Mary had said she low
ed him but had refused to marry him
unless he made some money. 1t all
came back as the train roared thru the
culvert and over the bridge from
which he could see the very spot
where he and Mary had been walking
that beautiful October evening before
he went away.
Yes, Jack, 1 do love you and I'm
willing to marry you-but not now,
! she had said.
'Why?" he insisted.
Because you can't keep me very
we'll"
I'D like to know if I can't. I've
bully good place in Reedems office,
and when he dies all the law business
hwill come to me-"
That's a long time ahead. And,
anyhow, old Mr.. Redeem never made
much Why, his wife has done all her
own work always. And, look at her
what a plain little mouse of a woman
she is with all the spunk that was in
her knocked out"
We'll, 1 wouldn't let you do it,
Mary, dear"
nd
don't intend to be second Mrs.
| Redeem"
you don't love mel"
st do. 1 love you so well 1 don't
want to learn to hate you because I'm
played out, and 1 don't want you to
begin to despise me because I've lost
my looks and spirit.
II can't make more money than
am making now"
| yes, you can, or I don't know you.
If you can't. shan't marry you, and
| I'll die an old maid. I'll never marry
anyone if I don't marry you"
He thought it over. then took his
savings out of the bank, said good-by
| to Mary and left town.
The train slowed down and stopped.
by Jove, I'll do it," Jack had
thought over plan of finding out a
few things for himself, and as he pick
ed up his overcoat and bags he decided
to carry it into action.
He took a bus to the Commercial
| hotel, the poorest and cheapest of the
| three hostelries in town, and breathed
| with relief when he found the lobby
empty save for Old Man Stebbins him
self
Hello, theret Bless my heart if It
amt Jack Painter. And look how he's
all lit up. Heard you struck it rich.
Jack! My, you look fine! Thought
you'd forgotten this old burg for good
Ssh" Jack put hand to his lips.
| ''Give me a room, Stebbins, will you
and come up; 1 want to have a talk"
And after a while the old man came
down and telephoned for Steve Lovall
Steve came around. went up to Jacks
room and before long came down with
a big far check in his pocket.
That day Mary Fielding was read
| ing in the lawn swing when Polly Mar
shall drove up the walk and ran in
excitedly.
oh. Mary. have you heard the
news? Jack Painters home and he's
working in old Mr.. Reedem's office
again. It's all mistake about his get
ting along so well and 1 guess he's
! glad to get back. Mercy! What's
| wrong, Maze? You look like a ghost
There wasn't anything serious, was
there, between you and Jack?"
"No-oh, no! I'm not feeling very
well, that's all. Polly. What were you
saying about Jack? That he's back in
Mr.. Reedem's office? Well, that is a
surprised"
And that's not all the news!' de-
clared the gossip with importance and
meaningly. Maybe you'll be more in
terested in this, since you've been see
| ing go much of steve. Some lady died
and left him heaps of money. l don't
himself. I'll bet he'll be buying an
| automobile and everything nowi''
That is news, Polly. He'll be
good catch now. All the girls will be
| after him, won't they"
But not with your chance, Maize
| He's crazy about you
Polly left, but Mary sat silent and
thoughtful. looking out over the road
/ that led across the tracks and down to
| the river. She was thinking of the
| sent Jack away to seek his fortune.
And now he was back-but poor. She
| had heard he was getting rich!
She waited two days, but he neither
came nor called up. The third morn
ing she walked past the dingy old law
office, and as luck had it, Jack was
just leaving for lunch.
/ Hello, Mary! Gee, I'm glad to see
you.' he held out his hand.
You seem to be. Have you forgot
| ten where I live?"
NO. but-well, you see I didn't
think Id be welcome"
You used to be, didn't you?"
Yes, but L didn't know how things
were Besides 1--we come back poor,
Mary
"oh. we'll" pretending not to get his
meaning, you're just in style in this
town Come anyway
He looked down at his shabby
clothes "All right. But maybe I'll
run into Steve.''
No. you'll not run into Steve"
| But he inherited a fortune!
I Il don't care 1 told him not to
Fcome any more
| They had walked unconsciously to