The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-13

in the mud She gazed ruefulIy at
the rubbers. Then:
why should 1 care? Horrid old
thingi"
was surprised to find her rescuer on
the telephone. !
Miss JONES'" he said when 1 saw
you home this evening l realized that
you live next door to me, and should
like to run over now and talk to you
about the music, If you have fully re-
covered from your fall. May I?''
'Why-yes-yes, indeed" Maize
was confused.
She thought: "Horrid old man. he
wants to return my compositions so ]
won't bother him at the office again.
Nevertheless she went to her room and
powdered her nose before the mir
ror of her dressing table and felt sure
that her gown was most becoming.
She smiled as she glanced at the silver
slippers which matched it. Then
going back to the drawing room, she
was quite ready to receive the ogre.
II shall be dignified in spite of him."
she thought.
The maid announced Mr.. Gran
ville." and he followed Immediately.
Good evening, Miss Jones'" He
bowed most graciously. holding the
music in his hand
Maize was stunned with surprise. for
here was a very different person from
straight, had a pleasant smile and was
without spectacles-
"Oh-oh-I thought YOU were an
old man." she exclaimed.
We'll, I am rather-that is, I am
thirty -four, which is a great deal older
than you
II am twenty four" Maize replied,
but thought when I saw you in the
office that you were as old as my
father You don't loo,i at all old to-
might, tho"
Perhaps I am more human than I
was the other day"
Perhaps" said Maize freezingly.
Seeing he was on dangerous ground
he changed the subject
Ma zie stole glance at him and was
glad she looked in her mirror.
II find like your music very much,
but would like to suggest a few
changes. May I show them to you?
You see this is from the standpoint
of the market" he fastened to add.
You are very kind. Yes, 1 should
like to have your criticism"
well, hardly that" he replied. but
I think if you would change this it
would go better pointing to a place
in the score.
Maize saw at once that the changes
he suggested were an Improvement
cuss modern music in comparison with
Tom Granvine~arose to go. I'VE
haven't finished going over the music
May I come tomorrow night?"
"Oh. yes" Maize answered. IT am
so happy that you are going to pub
lish it. One is so foolish about ones
creations, you know"
The next night he took the music
with him to have it published.
There were many things to be seen
to in the next few weeks which neces-
Lei
calls in the evenings-many of them
Very soon they were calling each
other Tom and Maize.
Maize loved the outdoors and she
and Tom took long walks in Central
park and along Riverside drive: they
which swept over the Hudson. Toms
muscles began to harden and he soon
lost the flabby SLOUGH OF the office. In
fact he was very good looking and
very happy. Maize had forgotten her
first impression. and to her he seemed
a great, big, splendid hero.
They found they were most con-
genial, for not only had they their
music in common, but both loved pic
lures and visited the art galleries to-
gether whenever Tom could leave the
office and Maize her studies. These
days were eagerly looked forward to
and became a part of their lives
At last the time drew near for Ma
zie to go back to her home in Ohio.
Only one more afternoon for them to
be together. They were very silent
as they seated themselves on bench
near the big fountain in Central park.
'Willryou marry me, Maize? 1 have
loved you from the moment you
scolded me in the office
What if it should become a habit
with me? You wouldn't like to be
scolded again, would your" she asked
smiling roguishly at him.
Yes. yes. by all means scold il 1
ever become such a boor again. I
was settling into the worst form of old
bache ,orhood when you startled me
out of my complacency. Please mar
ry me and save met"
Mazie's worshiping look was turned
full upon his handsome face as she
replied:
II will marry you, but 1t will be
because 1 love youi
Copyright 1920. bv the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)