The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-22
EVENING STORY
Broken Links.
BY A. w. PEACH.


down the dusky corridor and listened
there was no doubt in her mind that
her suspicious of the past week were
well founded. Thirteen years of city
iife-most of it spent in the boarding
house which had been her only home
had not hardened nor driven away
the deep, maternal tenderness which
had gone out to many a waif who had
drifted into the house.
She knew that in that room a girl
was -crying-weepins in the low. sub
dued, silent way that is ever significant
of a breaking or homesick heart.
She went on to the door of her room,
and then paused again. She remem-
bered the shy, refined. girlish woman.
who with her young husband had
come to the room early in the week.
Something was wrong, greatly wrong;
and quietly Miss Copeland turned
back, ready to meet the insolent word,
the dumb, impressive face of one who
welcomes no kindly interference.
She knocked softly. but heard no
answer; then she opened the door.
She saw the slight form of q girl
stretched on the bed, her dark hair in
disarray, her eyes covered with slim
hands. her shoulders heaving.
My dear. may help. you in some
way" Miss Copeland asked gently. IT
am simply an old maid living in the
house when 1 am not a business
| woman. I wish I could help you," the
older woman said, a bit eagerly, for
the beauty of the girl, her evident re-
finement, and her grief, appealed to
her.
THANK you-but you cannot help
me. I am afraid-ahd I must be
brave" The girl sat up suddenly,
brushing her dark hair into place.
But when Norman-he is my hus-
bands away. I have my blues out.
He is trying SO hard. and father has
been so-soterribly unkind!"
Miss Copeland spoke hastily. Now
suppose you tell me about it. I am in
charge of number of girls in a great
ofhce-almost mother confessor. See
II can't help in some way. will you ?"
The dark eyes were wistfuI. IT have
ne mother 1 can remember-and l
have wanted one SO much-to talk to.''
Then make believe I am your
mother; you see. I am an old maid
but I love children. You see-I have
| suffered little. 1 understand. So
tell me. My name is Della Copeland
| The girl c!asped her hands tensely
| RELAXED. TITS simple-it seems so.
anyway. You see Norman and /
| learned toto love each other. Father
was angry. You see Norman worked
In one of fathers mills. He said l
was too young-I know 1 am, but we
? | AotCo CdCh OlAef, anu the Years QOn
| count. do they?"
/ mo. my dear. Love knows no
years" Miss Copeland answered
family.
+. IT told father I would have more
t years to be happy with Norman. But
he-he was stern, and harsh, and I'M
j Kind. Then we learned he was plan
ming to send Norman away-to South
Africa. We've simply couldn't stand
I that. I wanted Norman to marry me-
right away; he wouldn't without faith
, er's consent, but father wouldn't even
see him. Then he told me he was
| going to send me away. l told him
L Woult. not go"-the dark eyes began
| to CLEAN, and the listener guessed that
the fathers spirit was in his child
that l would marry Norman. He told
me did not dare. 1 did,
The girl looked wearily.toward the
window. She went on, a bit more
quietly:
! I'VE were married. Father had
Norman discharged. He refused to
see me. I cid not beg, nor shall T.
tho 1 know he loves me. The worst
| is, everywhere Norman goes for work
in his special line fathers influence
| stops him from securing it. Norman
1-oh, he has been so brave, so kind
and so accomplishing. He is trained
in one kind of work, but he's trying
to do what he can and it's hard now y
y
give your Miss Copeland asked
hesitatingly.
The girls slight form stiffened and
the watcher saw the pride of race
stern on her features. Never! I shall
never do that! He must ask us to re-
| turn!'
| Miss Copeland pondered a minute
her hopes gaining as she thought
will you tell me your name?" she
queried.
why, I should have told you. Tn
proud of it. Miss CopeIand-Mrs. Nor
man Barker. My own name is Laurel
Jeffery-father owns the Wellstor
Mills"
A long silence fell between them. T,
was broken by steps that. approa ching
slowly, quickened as they neared the
| door. In came a tall, good-lookine
young man. whose gray eyes could moi
| brighten the shadows beneath them
He was introduced to Miss Copeland
by a-proud wife. Taking advantage OF
her first opportunity, Miss Copeland
slipped out and hurried to her owr
room. There she stood in its silence
and dusk, thinking. Finally she
| reached q decision.
1T is very foolish, very, very; blu,
I shall go and see her father. Those
brave, courageous young hearts mus,
not suffer-
With her decision made, she sat ir
the dusk near the window of hel
room, misunderstanding of los,
girlhood, an empty womanhood, anG
brooding on the gray and quiet years
that lay before her-lonely paths fol
the walking of lonely feet.
The maid at the door softened hel
voice. Mr.. Jeffery says that you mus
give your name and state your errand
please"
Miss Copeland smiled. "Ten him
have come over two hundred miles fol
five minutes of his time"
The maid hesitated, but went in. A
moment later she returned smiling
He is in the library. where you may
see him."
Thru the great hall she walked te
the door where the maid stood an6
oiJiafIv enfarod the rooro