The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-13
Eoening Story
AS in a Dream.
BY FREDERICK HART.

padding in the back of his easy chair
! The room was drowsy. Sleep stole
upon him. His eyes closed and his
head dropped.
The bishop dreamed a dream 1t
seemed quite natural that he should
be talking to his brother, James. Tho
they had not seen each other for a
long time-nOt since that violent part
! ing seven years ago-still, if James
| last man in the world to deny him
hospitality, under certain conditions
If he needed money, now He
addressed his brother.
why have you come back" he
asked coldly.-
- IF it is about Marian-you can
not see her.
"Oh, L know-she can't see me, of
course; but I did want to talk to you
about her-about her and that young
Edgar Stevenson"
The bishop hardened.
That scapegrace has been under
this roof for the last time" he said
sternly- when you-went away 1
, was appointed Marian's guadian, and
I have striven to do my duty toward
her as 1 saw it; to give her some of
the care and love that she could never
expect from her father. I take a
supervision of her companions to be
a part of the duties of guardianship
Edgar Stevenson is not fit companion
for my niece, and I do not choose that
he shall continue to see her.
Il know" repeated James I've
watched her since-Fve watched her.
and you, and I know that she loves
you dearly, and that you have given
| her all the love and care that 1 might
have given her. You can understand
that her happiness is my foremost
consideration -
1T was not your foremost censid-
era tion when
The other WINGED.
You needn't have said that. No
one knows it better than now. But
time and things have changed with
me. l have-Other interests than my
Former rottenness; and I assure you
that l have now no higher duty or
hope than to see Marian's life made
as happy as possible. That is why /
thave come back tonight to talk to you
about Edgar Stevenson
There is nothing you can tell me
about Edgar Stevenson 1 do not al
ready know. and nothing of that but
is to his discredit. Marian seems to
be fascinated with him-a man of his
type has a certain power OF attraction
for a girl of her age-and I have for
hidden the intercourse. That is final. "
James stood for a moment in ST.
lence. Then he cleared his throat and
spoke.
LAS my brother. you must hear me
out: as one of the two people who love
Marian most, you owe 1t to yourseit
and to her to listen to what 1 say. Do
you remember her mother?"
1T is hardly good taste, James. for
you to recall the name of that saint
you. who broke her heart so that she
died grieving for you. The blsnop
voice was very hard.
But hear me out! Her mother
Ethel-brother. you are wrong.
you remember my marriage? You
said 7 had fascinated Ethel, carried
her off her feet. and perhaps I did.
Won are convinced that Edgar Steven
I son is doing the same thing for Mar
IAN You are wrong Stevenson mas
wild tendencies. I will admit: but his
love for Marian is the one thing need
full 10 snatch that brand from the
burning. Step between them and you
viii break him-you will make of him
what I was at his age. Marian and
ha belong to each other-her love can
save him-has already saved him. II
is the rock to which he clings- You
shall not destroy his hope!
"James!" The bishop started to ms
feet. then he reseated himself IT
will admit" he went on, with bitter
IRONY. that YOU of all people are hest
qualified to Judge mans character
when that man is what Edgar Steven
son is; but I will not tolerate your IN
reference in the affairs of my niece
1,bar vor have given up all rights
which YOU might once have claimed
as her father"
renowned I have in some sort re-
gained. I wish to tell you that II you
do not allow Marian to marry Edgar
S ST. YOU will set in motion a
train of ruin and despair that VIII
carry on past the uttermost limits OF
your imagination
"I married Ethel and wrecked her
life here; but Marian remains as hV-
ing blessing on that union 1t is her
happiness that is paramount in my
mind now. And her happipness is the
happiness of Edgar Stevenson"
- The bishop looked long and keenly
at the face of the man before him,
How do you know this?"
His brother smiled for the first time
that night
"Ethel-she is dead"
Ethel" went on the other as tho
he had not heard. Ethel agrees with
me. 1t is my wish-and hers"
I The bishop sank back into his chair
And suddenly he knew. tho the knowl-
( edge brought only a great wonder and
no terror, that his brother James had
| died four years ago-given his life for
/ 5 IN d lire SOiiic little
town in the south; and he knew that
I he had been dreaming. He started
and the movement woke him. His
dream left him. Two white hands
were on his shoulders. and a pleading
i voice spoke in his ear-EtheFs voice
! no. Marian's.
/ Uncle. darling-Tve asked Edgar to
/ come up tonight and see you. Please
1 don't say no-pleEse, uncle dear"
/ The bishop sat up. His voice was
very gentle.
My dearest girl, I will say-yes.
! And God bless both of you
Two hours later Marian said to Ed
gar, I'm afraid that Uncle's mind
wanders a little When he kissed me
good night he called me Ethel instead
of Marlin Wasn't that a strange mis-
take?"
! copyright. 1920. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.1