The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-27
EVENING STORY
Loves Shadows.
BY GRAHAM LINGFIELl

| BY GRAHAM LINGFIELD
When the barriers are broken down
and we see ourselves as we really are,
/ it is sometimes a humiliating specta-
Gle. This had. happened to the mas
| terful mar For years Henry Travers
had regarded himself as the hard,
cold, analytical business man to whom
/ the sentimental side of life did not
appeal This morning in his private
office he was facing bare facts.
Arriving at his office and crossing
to hang up his coat-a spot from
which a corner of the outer office
could be glimpsed-he had seen a
sight that had thrown down the bar
riers of his self-deception and shown
him an uncompromising truth. 1t
was nothing but a triviality, perhaps,
| but il was sufficient to make clear to
him more than he wanted know.
! Presently he rang the bell and his
! private secretary stood before him. He
did not speak at first, but sat at his
! desk moving the different objects
| from place to place. AT last he looked
up.
! Miss Deane" he said, 4 wish to
| speak with all restraint and Difference,
| but 1 must be frank. This morning,
| by mere coincidence. L happened to
see something take place between you
| and Mr.. Halliday on which only one
construction can be put-that you are
| engaged to him. OF course, that is no
! concern of mine; but you must real
iZe that during office hours such a
| condition of affairs cannot exist. We
are here for business, pure and sim
| pie -
He regarded the girl with stern
eyes. For the general efficiency and
discipline of the office" he went on,
| kindly see that it does not occur
again. He bowed in a grandiose
manner to indicate that the interview
| was at an end and bent over his desk.
That matter was disposed of.
The color rose to the face of the
girl. and for moment her eyes re-
garded him dumfounded, then with
out word she turned and left the
room.
Alone in his office Henry Travers
tried to concentrate his mind on the
business in hand. But he felt strange
ly disturbed. The little incident that
had just occurred insisted on occupy
put it from him.
He was not sure that he had acted
rightly. He realized, too. that he had
spoken harshly, when he had meant
and indifference were intended the
throb of passion had crept into his
tones.
In the six months he had been man.
: ager of the Worthwhile Glove COM
pany he had always found Julia Deane
a loyal and dependable lieutenant. He
had come to rely on her more than he
had hitherto realized. And the quiet
| self assured manner with which she
carried out her duties had made a
powerful impression upon his business
sense.
But there had been no other feeling
for her. In all his years he had never
allowed any lesser consideration to
blind the vision of his mental activi-
! ties.
Now, like a distorting mirror. flash
ed before his eyes, he saw and recog-
nized the leering face of jealousy and
: the canker had entered his being
!, Gladly would he have fired Halliday
! but be could not sink to the humilia-
ton of letting his personal feelings
overcome his common sense
| AS he sat at his desk, vainly trying
| to concentrate on material things. q
! knock came at the door He looked
up. The very man who was occupy
: ing his thoughts was standing there
AS he advanced Travers noticed the
= look of boyish gladness on his face
, of triumph in his eyes.
The older man steeled himself tc
meet young Halliday. 1t had been g
rule of the office for many years thai
, employees should notify the chief in the
event of an approaching marriage. A
! tradition duly observed. There cou1C
' be but one reason, then, for that look
of supreme happiness on Halliday's
face.
S THE time has COME said the
Younger man drawing himself up a
the desk when in accordance with
custom 1 have notification to make.
He hesitated. Travers nodded. Me
: chemically he reached out and SHOOK
the others hands.
Congratulations, Halliday" he said
II suppose now you and Miss Deane-'
;. He broke off. well, one mans loss
is another mans gain, 1 shall be los
ing the hest secretary / ever had" Ht
dropped his eyes from the young man.
face. Halliday stared at him mysti.
| fled.
why what's the big idea. Mr.. Trav-
ers? You won't be losing her thru
| me-
But III understood you were
betrothed," stammered the mana ger.
Say, Mr. Travers, what do you take
me fora polygamist?" laughed Hal
liday.
/. Travers looked at him sternly. HI
resented the flippant tones in thu
words.
Il take you for nothing but an hon
orable man. Mr.. Halliday. With YOU
salary, 7 presume you will not eXpec
your wife to wOrk?'
81 hope not, indeed" responded TIL
younger man, but in any case sir.
don't think it is likely to affect you
1 came to inform you that yesterd
married Miss Julia Deans sister,
he said. smiling.
1t was late in the afternoon wher
Henry Travers called his secretary t.
take dictation. No mention was mad,
on either part of the incident of tn
o morning. When the last letter hat
$ been taken down the girl rose to he
f feet. The feeling of restraint that ha'
= been felt all along was now raised t.
= a vibrant pitch.
/. The fall evening was blurrine int,
a faint outlines the familiar object
about the room. AS the secretar-
| moved across to the door withou
8 turning her head, she asked a CUES
: ton. shall l put on the light :?
= Travers. standing a his desk. idly fin