The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-28
EVENING STORY
On a Salary.
BY IZOLA FORESTER,

Mrs. Vernon Rigsby paused some
what nervously and looked at the seii-
possessed young person pehino ls
long, narrow center table. Tnere was
a very attractive display on the taole
--choice laces and embroider1es, ana
some exquisite bits of Chinese hahoi-
work, carved ivory fans ana perfume
holders, and odd little squat images:
The tapestried walls were bare or
ornament or display. Over the Louis
Quinze chairs We're thrown Few rare
shdwIs and Mandarin coats In one
corner { high Manchu jar held shag-
gy mass of tnwny chrysanthemuns'
deep wine color, gold edged.
"Florrie wrote me about it" she
went on. in her soft, Misunderstanding
voice. voice that held pIalntiVe
appeal II it, as If it's owner were per-
petually throwing herself on the hear
cred 1t her duty to-er-to me-
yes said Anne, encouraging1y-
81 am Sc sorry you had the long
journey. Mrs. Rigsby."
"Oh, / don't mind, tiff it's not
too late. Do you think it is. my dear?
Be perfectly frank with me-"
Anne smiled, glanced at the little
green l:ather-encased clock over on
her desk. and sat down.
Lets be comfortable while We talk.
It's early yet for any of my custom
ers to he stirring
Mrs. Rigsby looked around her ap-
praisingly. you have a very dainty
little shop"
IT'S hardly that" answered Anne.
smiling. ~ have a morning display
twice a week here and over at the
Ponce ue Leon. I represent a New
York house.
"Oh, les, certainly" said Mrs. Rigs
by. rather vaguely. Florrie had said
interested in kept a shop or some
thing, down at Palm Beach. She had
not specified what sort of a shop.
You sell things for them? It's so
clever OF you: and you are young, too,
aren't you? l was half afraid you
might be over 35, and a widow. don't
you kncw?''
Anna flushed slightly at the per-
sonai touch, but she kept her head
She had not been looking forward to
this situation for week without some
mental preparation.
Il am 26, Mrs. Rigsby.''
Are You, really? You look young
er. And I don't mind admitting one
bit. my dear. that you are wonderful
ly attractive Courtney always did
have good taste. It's such a relief to
IND you as you are, don't you know? ?"
Il suppose So Anne assented gen.
tly. After all, even if she did put one
on a psychological pinpoint, so to
speak, for analysis she was Court
ney's mother.
Somehow, tho. I felt that 1 could
come to you and speak directly and
that you would understand. Court
ney seems to be in love with you, but,
OH, my dear, If you only knew Court
ney as do. He is the most irrespon-
sible boy alive. He doesn't know his
own mind two minutes at time How
far has it gone? Is it Just a filtration
or has It got to the proposing stage p"
Anne laughed at this, remembering
Courtneys desperate struggle for ex-
preston when he had reached the
proposing stage" 1t had been quite
two months ago She had deftly held
him at arms length. 1t was not al
together pleasant experience, being
wooed by the most eligible young man
at the resort; especially as she wanted
the good will of all the women, who
might turn out possible customers
But Courtney had put up a splendid
chase He had not dogged her foot
steps nor worried her during her bust
ness hours. But he had found her
down on the golf links after four. and
after a game they had taken a long,
restful stroll back to the hotel Then
he had found that she loved to ride,
was fairly astir. there had been two
horses waiting, and a swift, gorgeous
run down the beach and back before
breakfast.
You know. Anne" he had said,
back in those first happy, unconscious
weeks of their acquaintance Il don't
think I'm going to fall in love this
time, honestly 1 don't 1t such a
bully comradeship, this affair of ours,
don't you know, and the minute YOU
start in making love you always lose a
good pal. You're not in love with me,
are you!'
Not in the least Anne had as
sured him merrily.
Then there had come a day when
her horse had taken fright on the
bluff road. She had not realized at
first that it was actually running
away. until it swerved from the road
and started over the rolling downs,
straight for the edge of the bluffs
1t was a sheer drop of hundreds of
feet to the rock below. Just for an
instant a wave of sickening dread had
swept over her as she thought of the
plunge downward, and then Courtney
had seized her bride and it was all
over. When he had brought her horse
to a standstill, trembling and covered
with foam like boar frost on flanks
and shoulders, she had slipped down
into his arms in sheer relief. There
had not even been words, or the need
of them. He had held her close to
him, shuddering and unnerved, and
just for once she had been glad to
feel another's strength. For many
years she had depended on herself.
And after that it had all come about
lnaturally-their realization that life's
particular meaning for them meant
love and companionship.
But you'll nave to be mighty sweet
and patient with me, pal o mine,
Courtncy had told her. I've been a
pet all my life. while you, bless you.
have been worker. If my father had
lived perhaps it would have been diff
| ferent, put. you know. love can weak
en- when it is misdirected. The mater
| loves me to death, but she's always
given ne7 my way. And she hasn't be-
| lieved in me. Anne. That's what I
| love about you. You do believe in me.
When I'd start telling mother some
of my ideas and what I would like to
dc to be of some use in the world and
a grin on life she'd tell me NOT to