The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-23

Don't look so sad, 8illy-Im not
dead yeti
Hello. ANY; 1 didn't expect you to-
day. Gardner went to New York. but
he sent YOU a message at the last min
ute-you must have left before it got
there?"
at did. You don't seem overjoyed
to see me yourself-don't let me keep
you. What have I done to you, Billy.
that you should be SO horrid to me?
Don't you dare say you're not-you
are."
I'm sorry. AMY told you 1
wasn't cut out for. society in the first
place, and 1 always make a mess of
things. l wish you'd understand all
the things can't tell you. I wouldn't
have wou think meant to be a crab
for the world-you of all persons.
thing I can do for you. I want you to
tell mel want to be a real brother
to you. If you'll let me-"
81 don't know whether / want any
brothers-Ive been an only child so
long. And I'll be going now, Mr.. Lane
I'm sorry to have detained you SO
long"
"Amy!" cried Billy. miserably.
But by the thine Amy was half way
out the front door and she pretended
not to hear him. There was a lump
in her throat besides, and sh~ did not
want to speak to anyone just then.
Gardner came back from New York
the next morning, and in the after
noon he took Amy to tea at the most
fashionable hotel in town. Gardner
liked to be seen at smart places
especially in company with a good
looking girl.
"Billy's sailing tomorrow" he said
casually. in the course of conversation
where to?" asked Amy, with ap-
parent indifference
France. He's going in aviation
over there. That's really why he came
east, you know. I've got to go down
town and fix up some things for him
as soon as we leave here--you won't
mind IL I send you home in the car
alone. will you?"
"Of course not, Gardner" Amy was
trying hard not to choke on the de-
licious piece Of French pastry which
she was doing her best to swallow
Then she received another shock
Gardner leaned over the table and
began to speak in a lowered voice.
"Amy-will you marry me? I've
wanted to ask you for long time, but
I've never had the chance before
There's not another girl I'd rather
marry-no matter who she is. Tel
me that you will"
"Is this a surprise party" gasped
Amy, who was trying to gather herself
together.
"I shouldn't think you would be sur.
prised-I made up my mind some time
ago.
But I didn't know that and a.
much as I've seen of you lately, II
| never for a minute entered my head
tina. you loved me. And 1 don't think
you really do, either. Gardner. Ths
| more think about it the more sure
am, too. You just like m. ornamen.
talness and my youngness and thai
nf thing nd 1ynr1'1l find hot "
lots of other people that you'll really
| like much better than me, anyway.
| like you, but I don't love you am
| more than you honestly love me. AND
1 want to be friends-you're a better
| friend than you would be a husband
don't you truly think, Gardner?'
Gardner smiled in spite of himself
where did you learn so mucf
about being in love. little Amy?'
II learned the little 1 know from &
very poor teacher who didn't ever
want me for a pupil I'm sorry, Gard
| He doesn't even know I exist-ha rdly
| Forgive me. but it's the truth. Ant
you'll still be my friend won't you 2
You can be perfectly sure abou
| that" returned the rejected suito
promptly. And now I'll have t.
make my ungraceful exit If you'll ex
cure my tearing you away SO shortly
The cars outside"
| I'm going to walk, II you dom
mind-Tm getting shockingly fat 70
one of my delicate years. Goodnight
| Gardner"
Amy waved her hand to him ar,
then turned and walked rapidly in tn
opposite direction from her owl
house. Her head was dizzy and II j,
| feet seemed 70 travel too slowly. Sh
dragged herself YEARLY up the step
of familiar house and rang the Dell
I T II -
the man who answered her ring.
| I'm the library. Miss"
Don't announce me. then-TH g
right in"
Billy was sitting with his back t
the dot- writing. Amy walked ...os
the room before he saw her. Then i
dropped his pen an sprang to -lis fee
| amazemen..
Amy" he cried. HAS something
happened? You want Gardner"
NO, 1 don't want Gardner-Tv
just fused 20 marry him. jus
want to know why you are going ava
without saying goodbye to me-afte
you promise to be a nice brother t
me. too. It's Unbelievable"
DO you mean to tell me you're lao
going to marry Gardner? Why not :?
ITS really none of your bushes.
but I'll tell you. For the simple rea
son that I don't hap en- to care fo
| TIE ldTTylnE way ar
ing. NEAL"
What way is that?"
Il didn't come here TO talk to yo
about marriage. Mr.. william Lane.
only came to tell you how horrid
think you are-I think I almost hat
you"
And love you. love you. love you,
he told her for about fifty times in a
many different ways. Look mel
the eyes and tell me you hate me-"
But Amy was too comfortable {
look up, so she didn't even answe
him.
After a little while Billy looked a
his watch and found 1t was a quartz
| to eight.
VIII you go to dinner with me thi
time, Amy darling" he asked her
1T looks as If I'd have to. Yo
don't know how much I wanted to g
with you that day. Billy. Let's ge
| out of the house before Gardne
comes. I think 1t would be better t
break it to him after you've been gon