The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-10
EVENING STORY
Apple Blossoms.
(By Earl Reed Silvers.)


Smith poignant memories of a late
afternoon three years ago when
in that very orchard Edgar Gillian
had said his last goodby. The scene
came back to her with startling vivid
ness; the pink-white blossoms making
a yeritable bower OF each low-nang-
ing tree. the moss-covered seat in the
very center of it all, and Edgar stand
ing before her, his sun-browned race
suddenly white, a look of infinite pain
in his frank blue eyes Anna sank
down upon the bench and covered ner
face with her hands.
She and Edgar had grown up to-
gether. Living on adjacent farms, 1t
had only been natural that Edgar
should drop over an evening to SIT on
the broad porch OF the smith resi-
dence. Their relations had always
been impersonal, more like brother
and sister than girl and boy friends,
and Anna had begun to look upon
Edgar very much as if he had oeen
her brother.
The Gillian farm was one of the
most prosperous in that section of the
state; the Gillams themselves were all
that could be desired socially and
Edgar, as the only son and heir. was
much sought after by the girls OF the
village. He was a tall, outstanding
Young man, with light, curly hair
which invited stray fingers. and blue
eyes which looked at one with fear
less frankness which was almost dis
concerning.
But there had been a deep hurt in
those eyes when he had last said sooa-
by to Anna. The day had started off
much as other days, but at noon Ned
Howell had phoned over from the VIII
lage and asked Anna if she would go
auto riding with him that afternoon.
And Anna, rather flattered by the IN
Cd 11ad
East to college for three years and
was spending his first vacation in his
home town. He had gone from Glen
dale a rather nice young chap, looking
forward to college as a place for study
and companionship. But during MS
study was only q small part of the
life of the university. and he often
drifted into the kind of companionship
which is too often associated with
undergraduate atmosphere. In other
words, he had fallen in with the
wrong crowd and had become fast"
His vacations had been spent mostly
in fashionable seashore resorts, but
after his junior year his father had in
sisted upon his return to Glendale,
for a week at least. And so he had
come back with his college pipe, his
car.
Glendale hadn't known exactly
what to make of him. The older peo-
pie had looked him over rather dub
iously and had suspended judgment;
the young fellows who had always
nourished visions of New York and
Broadway took him up eagerly and
listened open-mouthed to his tales of
social adventure; men like Edgar had
shaken his hand and marveled at his
clammy grip, and had thereTpon
placed him in his proper category.
But the girls, spying him first as he
raced by the CHURCH in his car one
Sunday morning, had instantly pro-
claimed that he was wonderful" and
had hoped in their heart of hearts
that they might sometime be his COM
panion in that big red car.
Anna had first met him after
prayer meeting. He had come in the
car evidently in search of amusement,
and had sat in the back seat. a bored
expression on his willful face. Anna
had glanced at him out of the corner
of her eye and had caught his gaze
full upon her. She had blushed
prettily and had turned her attention
at once to the hymn book, but when
the meeting was concluded Ned had
come up to her at once and had asked
if he might see her home. Edgar.
she knew, was waiting at the door,
as he had done for the past two years,
but she had nodded a happy accept
ance to Ned's invitation and had pass
ed Edgar with the barest smile.
Ned had taken her home in the car,
but they hadn't gone directly to her
wen take a little spin,' he had
said. It's much too early to go home
yet"
And so they mad rolled along the
country roads while Ned told her of
the life at college, of dances, football
games and weekend house parties.
He had been perfectly decent about it
all, and altho his glance had often
searched her appraisingly, he had
given every attention to the car.
Perhaps you might be able to come
East to one of the Dances" he had re-
marked just before he left her ct
would be pleased to have you come
you know"
She had been flattered, immensely
flattered. at the implied invitation,
and when he suggested that they take
another ride the next evening she had
readily consented. In the afternoon
she had gone into the orchard to think
about it all. And then Edgar had
come. There had been a light in his
eyes winch she mad never seen be
fore. a huskiness to his voice which
gave her vague premonition that
something was wrong. He had stood
before her as she sat on the bench,
What time did you get in last
night % he had asked abruptly.
She had looked up, surprised
Before 12," she had answered.
''Why?"
Were you out riding with Ned
Howell all that time?"
yes"
Edgar had cleared His throat.
Don't you know" he began calmly
enough, that Ned has changed a lot
since he went away"
'Of course he has; he's a college
man now, and he talks of different
things. and acts more like an easter
ner-"
st didn't mean that"
What did you mean?"
ct mean that he fell in with the
wrong kind of men at college; that
has rsed IN pirIs who drink conIr+aiIs