The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-05

road tracks. And almost instantly
behind them came the long call of an
automobile siren. Greg Ivesson had
just stepped into his car when the
horse started AS it swung down the
street he followed, bending low over
the wheel, seeing, not so much the
swaying carriage, as the figure to the
right-Jessica Hayes. Just as they
came to the tracks there was the whis
tie of the down express. 1t did not stop
at Hollywood he knew. and the fren-
zied horse made straight for the cross
ing with ears laid back and starting
eyes. How he did it he never could
have told, but he turned the car di-
rectly across it's path as it reached the
lowering gates, and the two came to-
gether heavily, the car and the car
riage, but the express swept on. And
the figure on the ground was Greg's.
Jessica's stay had heightened from
one week to six. Every day she went
with Mrs. Dinsmore to call at the
hotel and ask after Greg. During the
first day she sat alone, thinking of
all her aunt had said. A woman
should be tie inspiration for a man
like him or Harley. She had not
been. She had always been self-cen-
tered, putting the weight of conces-
sion and privilege on the woman's
side in the marriage bargain. Now
she began to understand what it might
mean to stand side by side with the
one you love best and be helpmate.
And how she had always looked down
on Nellie as little INVESTIGATED hen.
When Greg was better, Mrs. Dins-
more insisted on his coming up to the
| Pines as her guest for a rest.
You know in spite of his success
he leads rather a monotonous life
Without home influence, l mean, and
he was always a home-loving boy.
think he'll enjoy it up here. You
won't mind, will you, JESSE" inno-
Gently.
"Oh, not at ALL" answered Jess.
I'm going Monday, anyway
But Sunday as she passed along the
walk to the street to join Dora she
heard her name spoken. Greg came
| toward her from the stables the fox
terrier puppies tumbling at his heels.
And eXcusing herself to Dora for the
afternoon meeting at the church, she
went for a walk along the bluffs over
! looking the bay.
/ You're changed SO wonderfully"
he said to her. Il remember you as
a girl here, 1 mean when you were
about IS. Perhaps you never guessed
it, but ! was awfully in love with you
then"
II never guessed it, said Jessica,
with a curious ~ smile. Il expect 1
was rather selfish
| GU were with Harley. He fairly
suffered for awhile, but Nellie was the
heart balm for him. 1 never found
| one"
He stopped short. She did not speak
or look at him. And after a minute
he went on. with intensity in his
voice that stirred her better self, this
new strange self she hardly knew
But even tho L never told you,
Jess. you became my inspiration in my
work. A real love is that to a man.
Perhaps If I had married you then, we
would have been untitled for each
other, and it would have ruined both
our lives. the bitterness and disap-
pointment, while now-well, I'm wait
ing Tor your answer, dear"
When Dora heard the news of the
coming weddi1 she gave little CRY
of make believe regret.
on, Cousin Jess, L lose the hope
chest, don't II"
ly.
You may keep it. dear. I'd rather
start out on new hopes than those
buried away in OLD lavender. "-(Copv-
right. 1917, by the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate-)