The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-10
EVENING STORY
The Most Wonderful Dance

Whose eyes are these?"
Yours"
"Whose lips?"
yours"
"Show me-"
A crescent moon pushed itself over
the edge OF a silver-tinted cloud, and
peered down upon the porch or the
Country club. 1t saw two figures
creetly withdrew Neither of the fig
ures moved. From the dance floor
came the sound of soft music. Then
the boy-he was only boy, twenty
two and just out of college-spoke
again.
"Pm crazy, crazy about YOU" he
said.
Are you sure?"
1t was a girls voice that reminded
one of far-off singing in the depths
of dream forest.
Sure"
Positive"
"Pos-i-tive.''
A long moment elapsed.
And I'm always going to be-" he
added. Always and always"
The music died away, Slgnlfylng
the end of the dance, and footsteps
sounded on the stone porch. The two
people in the shadows became more
distinctly two people. A moment ago
they had reSembled one indeterminate
bulk.
one?'' the boy asked.
No"
Then we can keep on sitting out
here?"
Yes"
He paused a moment. Il want to
tell you something"
''What?''
"TH you know in just three min
utes.'
The music started again and the
t.r-.N he
doorway. The two were alone again,
so nobody but the girl heard what the
boy had to say.
Il love YOU he whispered.
A pair of round arm -encircled his
neck; cool, white arms which he had
dreamed about for ages
1--WE dreamed of this so often, ne
said slowly, that l must be dreaming
now. Am 1, DEAR"
mo" she answered. Butt must
end right this minute-for time, at
least
He drew away, surprised
The girl was silent for a moment
before she spoke.
Il hate to spoil this wonderful, won
derful evening"" she said, but L must
do it 1 simply must tell you some
thing"
What is it,"
Its about Arthur Thorp," she ex-
planned Her voice wavered a little.
He and l have-have known each
other all our lives. We've been very,
very good friends, and it's been gem
orally understood Tat we would be
married some day"
You haven't promised him, have
you?'
! mo. We never said much about
it; but all the time you, were away at
| college we went together steadily, and
| ho'S ga
But you're not engaged to him? ?"
NO: if had been l wouldn't have
done what 1 did tonight. But he
hasn't gone with any other girl for
| three years, and-and he cares for me
lots and lots"
But love you"
$50 does he, only he hasn't said Sc
| because he-he hasn't enough money
to marry me yet"
But if you aren't engaged to him
ward impulsively. Il love YOU" he
said.
hand on his arm. But don't you SEE
that I must tell Arthur first? It's
only fair to him; and if he-and If he
should take it in the wrong way, l
suppose that-that I shouldn't be-
come engaged to you"
The boy looked wistfully into the
distance.
! II guess it's the only thing to do
/ he said. When are you going to tell
him?"
"During the next dance 1 have ii
with him.
And how shall 1 know ?"
you'll know by watching us. AS
soon as the music starts, L shall tell
! him that Il care for some one else
II he holds me to my half-promise
we will go home. If he doesn't and
everything is all right, Arthur and
will dance the encore together
And if I see you dancing with him
I'll know that you are my g1ri-fol
always
Yes"
Both were silent. The lambent
moon had disappeared behind maze
of shifting clouds.
well, anyway. you're my glrl TOT
now" the boy said softly Nothing
can take that away Whatever hap
pens, 1 can always have these few
minutes to dream about"
Youths tragedy is always sincere
There was a world of wistfulness II
his tones, and the girl touched his
| hand
II love you,'' she said Things are
sure to come oat all right"
The music ceased, and she arose
'.I am going now
Thru the window the boy saw he
| meet the other man and smile into nj
ewes. After what seemed an eternit.
of waiting, the music started for thu
next dance As the moments sped on
| it seemed to the one waiting on tn
porch that the suspense was just lit
tie more than he could bear. And a
he waited. the two upon whom hi
thoughts were centered sat together il
another ROOM
Arthur" the girl said slowly. "
4 know now that 1 can never care 70
you in the way you want me to
There's some one else-ycu know VIII