The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-09

thing to do-best of r.h happiness of
ALL We two are not the only ones
concerned. Yesterday afternoon l got
Letter from Howard Vance--'
Here Alice interrupted. Il knew he
was back of it all
Patricia thought of the letter she
had delivered to Ada. and sudden
memory recalled the story she had
heard of a sutton of Ada'S of whom
her family diSapproved.
He still cares in the same old way.
And-oh.-so do l. I thought I'd got
over that, but when 1 read his letter
knew 1 hadn't. But 1 didn't have
the courage to tell Fred: 1 was a cow
ard. But 1 kept hoping and praying
that something would happen to save
US at the last ditch. OF course,
didn't want anything bad to happen to
I-ed, and I'm sorry for his trouble
but, oh! I'm glad to be free!''
But, Ada, the criticism, the COM
ment, weakly deplored her mother.
Besides, We don't like Howard Vance
any better than We ever did"
| He has faults, l know, but he'll
overcome them with the right woman
to help him-anyway, 1 love him-I
| love him!' Ada ended in incoherent
tears. 1t was some time before they
could sooth her, but it last, when she
was more calm, Patricia slipped away
t" her own room.
! Soon, however. the quiet became in
| tolerable, and she went downstairs.
She wanted to learn whether Fred had
returned, and if he was going away
that night. There was no one in the
/ living room, SO she went into the Ii
brary off the hall, where she could
watch for someone VINO might know
II can do Notwithstanding. can't
even fully express my sympathy with
| out being misunderstood"
| She laid her head down among the
sofa cushions, and tears relieved the
grief that was in her heart. She did
| not notice when the front door opened,
/ nor was she aware of someone stand
ing in the doorway, until voice said:
Why, Patricia, you here?"
She sat up in confusion. II stayed
! to hear the outcome of your trip to
the station" Furtively she wiped her
wet cheeks. glad that the light was
! we'll shaded.
He sat down beside her. when I
got there, 1 found a night letter.
Things at the mine aren't so bad as
they were first reported" She could
tell by his voice he was much cheered.
Il find on talking to the agent that
I make better connection by waiting
for the limited tomorrow morning. So
| I'm not going tonight
Pm very glad things seem better
In her effort for self-control Patricia's
voice sounded almost cold. But he
1 didn't seem to notice.
There was a moments silence. then
he said: Perhaps this isn't the occa
sion to speak-but in times like this
we can lay aside conventions. Prob
ably you know Ada's found out she
cares more for the other man-and,
well, 1 care more for another wo-
man" He smiled, but his eyes were
pleading and tender. You are first
with me, Patricia. you were from the
beginning, but you were $3.50 re-
served didn't think there was any
hope" There was another moment of
tense silence, then he continued:
Sometimes, Patricia. the dead past
comes back and gives us another
chance Will you turn back, dear, to
where We stood before misunderstood
inss separated u.s."
She did not speak. She never could
in moments of strong emotion.
"If you'll marry me tomorrow. I'll
take you to San Antonio, and then
when things are more settled on the
border, we can begin life again to-
gether. VIII you come ~. .f..,,.
Still she did not speak, but by way
of answer, drew down his tired young
head until his cheek rested against
her shining hair.
Though both knew that the hasty
wedding would bring surprise and dis
approval from some who were dear,
, and life in the frontier country
stretched before them in an uncharted
sea; yet neither regret nor apprehen-
! sion marred their peace, or dimmed
the gladness of this flaming moment
that was all their .-(Copyright,
1918, by the Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate.)