The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-04
EVENING STORY
The Homely Man.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

1.-The kind of girl he would marry
would not marry him and the kind OF
girl that would marry him he wouldn't
have, SO there you are" Donald Mac
beth could not help overhearing these
words as he sat in a quiet corner of
the clubroom, unnoticed. A feeling of
re ntment 70 in his heart for tina
men were discussing him. He took
more careful look at them. They
were the two he had thought, Ian
Vining and Lorne Miller, two club
men with whom he was fairly inti-
mate.
But why?" questioned vining.
Hes clever and moderately well-off.
He's considered one of the painters of
the day"
yes; but did you ever see a home
lier man? That scar on his face
makes him positively hideous," Miller
declared.
Beauty is only skin Deep" argued
Vining, who wasn't handsome him.
self
$50 it is but disfigurements cannot
be overlooked. There is generally
something pleasant in a homely mans
face to detract from bad features"
IT am sure his eyes are kind and
sympathetic. Have you ever seen
picture of him before he had that
SCARF"
mo; I thought he was born that
way" Miller said with show of in
terest.
vining led him to a group picture
on the wall. There he is. there" he
pointed out. Cant you recognize the
eyes? He was handsome then"
Yes" Miller agreed, "he was. /
| can hardly credit that it is the same
| man. But even that is no argument.
He is as homely as sin now, and is
| the only man / know of in the club
who is doomed to bachelorhood. Inn
| man like that"
"1-e might find it hard to get a
wife. at that" vining said after a mo-
| ment's thought. Lets leave that to
him, tho: How about the theater to-
night? Marguerite r'orton Is playing
her farewell before going into the
| movies. She's a dream! Will you
Gomez"
| . Miller need no second invitation.
After they had gone, Donald Macbeth
got up and went to the group on the
wall. 1t was a long time since he had
looked at that picture, and as his eyes
rested on the smiling. handsome face
| that had once been his, he wished he
had not looked at it. What was the
| use? 1t only made it harder to bear.
The light behind him reflected his
features on the glass and he turned
away with shudder. No. he had no
right to ask any woman to marry such
| a homely man as he was. He would
give Marguerite a chance to break her
engagement that very night - the
night she was leaving the old life tG-
| hind and was going into something
new. In a few months she would be
as popular, universally. as she was in
the city.
He arrived at the theater Just after
the curtain had gone up. From the
moment Marguerite fitted onto the
stage he was entranced. How adorable
she was. Where was there an actress
who could eclipse-even equal her. II
there was one he had never seen her,
and he had seen all of the good ones.
| How proud he was to think that she
had promised to become his wife. But
there his joy faltered. He had decided
that that was impossible. barely an
hour before, and here he was building
upon it, rejoicing at the thought Of 1t.
With grip on the arm of his seat, he
pulled himself together and watched
the play with interest. He would not
let anything mar the pleasure of see
ing her, at any rate. He would give
her a chance to be free after the play
In another part of the house Vining
| and Miller were watching the play
and were almost as enthusiastic over
it as Donald. Miller had not been a
follower of Marguerite's, but this play
appealed to him.
After the play was over he per-
suaded vining to accompany him be-
hind the scenes.
I'm going to meet that little lady
and take her to a little supper. If it
costs me a million in tips" he said.
But even generous tipping couldn't
get him any further than behind the
scenes.
Miss Morton doesn't receive visi-
tors" the man at the door told him.
but I will take your card to her."
Miller hoped she would connect his
name with his fathers millions. 1t
had always proved enough introduce
ton to the other actresses that he had
honored with a visit. What would his
father say if he married an actress ?
He would not object to one like Mar
guerite Morton. Wouldn't they make
a handsome couple? He twisted his
moustache before a mirror on the
wall. He was handsome, there was no
denying it. He had reason to be con-
ceited. he felt Vining watched him
about his lips. Some day. Mr.. Man.
you'll get shock to your vanity" he
said to himself, land I'd like to be
around when you get it,
The man returned with the card.
Miss Morton can't see you, sir" he
said politely.
Miss Morton considers herself too
only an actress after ALL"
You'd better not say anything agin'
Miss Morton here, SIR the man eau
toned She's mighty popular with
us all. There's a young man in there
4 now who fought a lion to save her
life, and he won out, too. She's going
to marry him, tonight. sir. She just
informed me. He's fine young man
and she's a fine girl-the finest in the
land, and I wouldn't mind fightin' a
lion for a girl like her myself, tho ]
amt got much beauty to get spoilt."
The men were still talking when
Marguerite's door opened and she
| came out, her arm linked in Donald
Macbeth's. She was looking up into
his face, smiling sweetly. noticing
nothing but him. Macbeth caught q
, glance of the two men standing there
with incredulity written in every fea-
| ture. There was a smile of victory or