The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-06
EVENING STORY
Reserved.
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

There were six seats in the box.
Don had left the filling of them to
Mrs. Galloway. providing she reserved
two for Bah Seward and himself.
Fourth time in two weeks, Don,"
warned his aunt Are you really sure
this time?"
And Don, standing on her hearth
rug, six feet one, athletic. stubborn
and altogether her favorite, smiled
down at her teasingly.
isn't she all right?" he demanded.
Now, honor bright, Aunt Kitty, isn't
she thoroughbred? ?"
Dear lad, how should I know"
laughed Mrs. Galloway. shes pretty
and charming and a great favorite
with everybody, but would she wear
well? The trouble, Don, with most of
our 'debbies' the past few years, they
are like racers trained for the big race
of matrimony, or to look well at the
show, but when it comes to living life.
just everyday life, 1 don't know what
they would be like"
Don frowned. He knew what lay
under her words. There was the big
old house down home in Maryland.
and his chances with the new aero
plane company he had sunk every dol
lar in. After that all he had to offer
girl was himself and his inheritance
some day of his aunt's property. And
she had brought him up ever since the
death of his own mother, and mao
lavished so much love upon him that
he felt she had indeed right to voice
an opinion. And he felt he was deeply
in love with Bah. She was so gay
and vivid, so full OF enthusiasm anu
spirit, and he knew she had refused
any number of men far better OF than
he was.
ed Mrs. Galloway, changing the SUD
iect tactfully and his brow cleared
instantly. 1t was seldom, since her
marriage. that he had a chance of see
ing his sister.
my best and tell her to let me come
up to the hotel for breakfast with
her. I'm bound for Bab's now"
The telephone bell rang as he passed
down the broad stone steps, and Nam
MES own voice called imperatively.
"Oh, but I'll have to bring her, dear,
of course. Don will understand. Shes
little. She won't take up much room.
I can squeeze her in anywhere. 1
went to school with her, and her IA
theirs been a missionary in China or
Armenia, or some place where they
fairly chewed them alive, you know,
and Tess is adorable. She's just back
home and 1 must bring her with me.
You'll love her, Aunt Kitty"
Don was late. Bah kept him wait
ing, and came down The curving stair
case with most provoking leisure. She
was in black, with a red fan of heavy
ostrich plumes, and the Seward rubies
in her dark hair. He frowned. Mrs.
Galloway had said it was not quite
good taste for Bah TO wear her
mothers jewels while she was still a
debutante. Old Seward would have
given her his own head If she had
asked for its
II hate summer shows" she said,
YEARLY. Were going on a short
cruise, Dad and about eight of his
friends Sorry 1 can't ask you, Don"
Sorry 1 couldn't go If you did, he
swung. back pleasantly. "Nannie's in
town. SIN bound out to Fairfield with
her and Grant. You know her, don't
your"
Bab laughed.
we used to scrap all the time at
Miss Baring's school. I'm sure she
doesn't like me yet"
The interior of the box was in
shadow when they arrived, but Don
could see there was only one chair
vacant, and this next to his aunt. Bah
sank into it ungraciously while he sent
the usher after another. and Nannie's
hand pinched his arm in the dark.
Room down here" she whispered.
All my fault, Don, you poor old dar-
ling. Forgive me, won't you? Tess.
this is my big brother"
And suddenly Don found himself
looking into the most surprising pair
or eyes, eyes so large and dark so
fllIed with a tender, velvety softness
in expression that they knocked away
all thought of Bab's perversity from
his mind, and left him a willing victim.
squeezed uncomfortably between Nam
ME and the side-railing he found he
could whisper across her to this girl
from the distant east, with her Per-
san mothers eyes and manner and
FRANK Warren'S smile. the father who
had given his life in the big struggle.
cure due to breakfast with US
Don, remember" Mamie said when
they parted. Nine sharp"
Don nodded. caught one last glance
from Tess's eyes, and listened for the
call number of his car absently Bab's
voice recalled him abruptly once they
were on the way uptown.
isn't it odd that Nan should have
Kept up that acquaintance? She was
such queer little thing at school. but
Nan always was rather predetermined.
wasn't she? Her father 1 mean DR..
warren. was a kind Of missionary"
he was martyr, and a splendid
cnnp, Don told her, briefly. Tess
VIII stay with Mamie for some time.
imagine. My brother-in-law is her
guardian
How very Interestingly" murmured
BAD And still the hidden sting missed
MIN, and he smiled as he leaned back
IN the car The softest, darkest eyes
ne had ever seen and a voice so
filled with sympathy and tenderness
he could feel the thrill of it yet He
heard Bah saying something about
the Ladds going en- the yacht Chester
Laid was in fove with her. he knew,
and still he did not care. The whole
society game seemed trivial after the
snatches of tragedy he had caught
there in the shadows from the lips of
this girl who had come alive thru the
furnace of fire.
The following morning he break
tasted with Mamie and Tess. Later in
the day he took them down in his car
to the shore cottage Nan had taken