The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-10
EVENING STORY
A Sleeping Beauty.

book in hand. Johnny halloed again
his answer was the silence of
ciousness-clearly Louise Mar
tin did not mean to admit that she
had ever responded to the name of
Muggins. Johnny grinned cheerfully,
and scuttered up the winding walk, to
pause at the steps, doff his hat, and
say with an elaborate obeisance: rs
the-ah! ahem-lady of the house at
homer"
Not to-vagabonds," the rocking
chairs occupant returned TRANQUILITY,
its eyes still down. Next minute two
warm hands fell over them-the head
holding them was drawn gently back
and kiss planted upon pair of soft
red lips.
That's how you wake a sleeping
beauty, isn't it?" Johnny asked guile
lessly. Louise had risen and faced
him, furious scarlet flooding her
checks. She dared not speak-if she
did, she would either laugh or cry.
Either meant triumph for Johnny, the
lawless-she knew of old his capacity
to torment her. Silently she turned
to go inside-then Johnny caught both
her hands, and sat her down, not very
gently, saying: mo, you don't. Not
in this company. What ails you, any
way, Mug? Used to be the best sort
of sport, you did,
You mean-I was a barbarian the
same as you," Louise burst out. well,
have learned better manners. I'm
less you can do the same-pIease keep
away from here!"
"H-m! Is that true word-or
just make-up?" Johnny asked, the
least shade of seriousness creeping
into his face. Louise glared at him.
Will you never grow up?" she
stormed: You know, you must un-
derstand, my position here in my un-
cle's house. His wife is the very prop
f. -yxyif a loo 1iT1cr 70
ways under the rose. If she had heard
you say 'Muggins' should never have
been anything else to her-of course,
in strict privacy, she makes Uncle Ben
think her a sort of grown up Snow
White. Already she hates me, because
see thru her. If she knew anything
of those mad. happy old days when
we were p1ayfellows. thinking and
knowing no evil, she would have a
whip ready to her hand, and would
use it to put me thru my PAGES"
She shan't know. girl. I'm willing
to kick myself mile!" Johnny ex-
ploded. 'I ought to have thought
of course. the neighbors know some
thing-of the dual personality of the
new Mrs. Benjamin Martin. Still, 1
honestly didn't dream of making you
trouble. Forgive me all my imperti-
nence and let me know if 1 can help
you in any way"
"Only ina very hard way-for
me-" Louise said. signing. THAT is.
by staying away until-be sure I'm
not here for always. Uncle says Mar
tin blood forbids my working. I have
another notion as to that-Td rather
scrub floors for a living than stay here
much longer
You need not stay a day-remem
ber?" Johnny began significantly.
Louise looked over his head, flushing
depely. Don't let's think of impos-
sibilities," she said. but sighed as she
said it. Johnny laid brotherly hand
on her shoulder. asking: Haven't
you got over anything?" In reply she
could only shake her head and turn
away. biting her lips.
Johnny strobe up and down the
porch, his face dark, his brow deeply
furrowed. Thus Mrs. Martin came
upon them and smiled unpleasa ntly as
the pair. So did the man in her wake,
who was by appearance neither young
nor DID, good nor bad. but tremen-
dously we'll groomed and well tailored.
as redolent indeed, of affluence az
the perfectly appointed car which had
brought him and his hostess. At sight
of him Louise hurried away. to be re-
called imperiously, then hidden in a.
velvet voice please to order tea and
serve it. Johnny must stay for it, of
pleasanter. Moreover. he had been so
long in coming over. he must be spe-
cially well treated in hope of a re-
turn. All this cooingly, avid eyes the
while measuring his six foot one of
vigorous young manhood, his hand
some tanned face and vital close
cropped curls. Mrs. Martin, fair, forty.
languishing, approved all of them
thoroly-al1 the more that he made
her escort, Franklin Ware. seem so
faded and meager. She looked at
Johnny indeed, with much the same
gloating expression that Ware gave to
Louise. Johnny saw and shivered-
not for himself, but for the prospect
before Louise.
He got no private word with her.
tho he fingered to the last allowable
moment. He could not even watch
over her. Mrs. Benjamin was too
wholly bent on his captivation- But
he had a sense that she was suffering
deeply from the glances and compli-
ments of Ware. Small need for Mrs.
went half way down the walk with
him: Matters are arranging them
selves so beautifully. We shall have
a wedding before We know it. Louise
will make the most beautiful bride in
the world"
He galloped away. ready to swear
at life and things. If only Louise
would forget that cursed Melville and
marry her faithful Johnny all things
would come right. He was sure she
did not love the real Melville, but
rather an image she called by his
name and set up in her hearts inner
shrine. 'She really is a Sleeping
Beauty" he said to his heart. revert
ing to the happy audacity whose mem
ory made him tingle. "Once she
walked up, she'd have to know life and
things wonder how I shall do it
After three days of pondering he
hit upon something that made him cry
aloud: THE very thing" Then write
a letter, hasty but full of details
After he had dispatched it to a dis
tant address he gave his whole mind
and time to haunting the Martin es-
ia ablishment, bent on knowing all that
passed regarding his beloved. There
was need of his constant vigilance.
Franklin Ware was a desperate wooer,
and ably seconded by Mrs. Benjamin,
who, of course, brought her husband
to seeing with her eyes.
Therefore 10 eail -