The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-20
EVENING STORY
Curly Locks.
BY HILDA NORRIS.

straight treSSes she possessed mass
of short auburn curls which substract-
ed, about six of her twenty-five years
from her appearance Every one else
thought the curls very becoming, out
Peggy. who had felt that her long
braids were her browning glory, sim
ply detested them. She could hardly
wait for the day when she could brush
them out to sufficient length ana wear
her hair done up again. So she
was glad to spend the summer In the
country at a rather quiet resort where
she would meet few people.
1t was early in May when Fesgy
went to Edgehill Farm, and for two
weeks she was the only boarder. she
loved the country, the long rambles
among the hills. rowing on the httie
lake and long hours with her beloved
books. She enjoyed being alone, too
Never before had she had such a de-
lightful opportunity to be alone and GO
exactly as she pleased. So sne, was NOT
at all glad to hear that another boaro-
er was coming, a young man. She re
solved to ignore him compieteN anu
spend her days alone as usual
However, it was impossible not 10
start when she saw him that first
evening in the dining room. II was
Carter Ferris, whom she had known
at the university. She had never
cared much for men and dances during
that Carter Ferris cared for her II
she had wanted to encourage him in
the least
Now. however, he was looking at
her with at politely curious yet lmper-
sonal gaze. quite as If he had never
seen her before. Peggy checked the
erecting that was on her lips, and felt
herself turn red. SheA took her seat
in silence, just opposite him, ana IL
was not until Mrs. Adams, the proprle-
tress of the farm, hustled in to MIRO
duce them that either one lookeo
again at the other.
e"NIiss Avery. this is Mr.. Ferris sne
nrocIaimed. I hope the biscuits are
all right Do you like honey or 9ahi'
Lam" he mumbled, his eyes on the
girl opposite. Il wonder IL i WI, w.
meet your siste~ at the univ ersitS. Mias
Avery? 1 knew a girl who looked
LOT like YOU. little Older
IT flashed across Peggy in minute.
Of course those wretched curls were
to blame; she didn't in the least LOOK
like the same person. she wore
sufock and short skirt, too, ana hao
dispensed with the bone-rimmed spec
tacles she used to wear IN e9ii ta,.
Still. he should have recognized her'
if he really cared. II would serve
him right not to tell him at ALL" Z
II dare say You did know my SIS
| ter" she returned coolly. Her name
is Margaret Avery. and she was grad
uated two years ago
..Where is she now?" he asked Gag
erly. I've never heard what she Gid
after graduation. Teaching?"
No, writing. She lives in sew
York"
| OH
! Carter Ferris subsidized for a mo-
ment. evidently to think over. TINS
| piece of information. And before he
had time to ask any more Peggy
the weather and the beautiful country
| about Edgehill. Then she excused
| herself and left him.
| II wonder whether you would care
| to so rowing up the creek with me
this afternoon, Miss Avery? It's a
wonderful day." said Carter the next
morning at breakfast.
| Peggy thought that she wanted to
| refuse, but she did not refuse. After
| ward she told herself that it was just
| because she wanted to hear him talk
| more about her sister" that she had
| accepted. And she did hear him talk
| about her sister. 1t was curious how
many things he rem embered about
those days in college, little things that
she herself had forgotten. And how
many things he remembered about
| Margaret Avery. Why, even the time
she had taken part in a freshman play
years before, and the dress she used
to wear to class in her sophomore
year. In spite of herself Peggy found
that she was warming a little bit
| toward Carter Ferris.
AS the days went by Peggy and
Carter Ferris became very good
chums. They were chums in the rea
sense, for they appeared to like the
same things. They had long walk.
together, picnic luncheons. fishing
trips, discussions of books. And evel
recurrent was the topic of Peggy
sister Margaret"
One day they sat on the bank of the
peared to be summoning courage tC
tell her something and Peggy waited
DO you know he said at length
Il used to care a very great deal fol
yo-r sister. She never seemed to care
about me, but 1 have always remem
bered her. I never thought that
could love any other woman, but
I've grown to care for you, Peggy
more than I ever did for her. Why
from the very moment L saw you
Peggy was silent. and presently ht
went on.
at seemed somehow as tho I hat
known you always. At first 1 though
it was just because you were so mucf
like your sister, but 1 know now tina
| it isn't that at all; it's you l love.
don't suppose that you care, Peggy
we have not known each other long
but If you could 1 want you to MARI,
me-"
Peggy had been sitting with he
curly head buried in her hands, ant
when she lifted 1t there was some
thing like the CLINT of a smile in he
eyes.
. Wait she said, I'm not sure tina
/ it isn't my sister that you love, afte
all. Perhaps if you saw her agail
j., you would choose her. She is comm;
here tomorrow Before you ask M
to give you any answer you must NEE
Margaret
And so it was a very anxious youn;
man who came in to dinner the mex
: evening. He did not want to NEE
Margaret Avery. What he wante,
was to have dinner alone with Pegg,
, | opposite him, as he had done ever,
. evening for several weeks.