The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-01
Euening Story
A New Years Resolution.
BY 4. w. PEACH


She, looked at Marsden with dark,
tender eyes filled with determination.
1--WE must not talk about it any more.
I am sorry. for I do love you, you
know. But have had dreams. since
a mere girl of doing wonderful things
with my music. So I have made up
my mind. Today is New Years and
1 am going to begin to work for just
one end, PHIL
"A New Years resolution, then"
he answered gently. "A sad one for
me-
II know-you have been good to
me. but-but it has reached a point
where-where-I get to thinking OF
you" The rose in her cheeks deep
ened. .'And a home with you. Now
must put such thoughts away. Think
how my friends and father and moth
er would fell They have such plans
for me. To marry and settle down
I can't-no. I can't think of it! So
you must promise to say-say no more
to me about-about loving me"
He rose to go. Beth, if t troubles
YOU will
at doesn't trouble me, Phil. l
have loved to have you. But my mind
is certain. Tomorrow I am sailing for
Italy,
"No," he said hurriedly. You don't
mean that
Listen, she SAID tenQeflyr mus
leave you now or later. And 1 want
it to, be soon. It will be easier"
He stood staring at a future with
ont her-her merry, sweet voice that
was finer music to him than to any
one in the world. Her bright head,
her dark, tender eyes, her ways, every
one familiar and dear to him.
She read his thoughts and put one
white, slim arm around his neck
phil, you dear old chum, think how
proud you will be of me, one of these
days, when return and you come to
hear me-
He smiled down into her eyes. 81
know where I would rather hear you
sing-in my home, some evening,
some little song such"
"Hushr'- she said quickly, drawing
from him, her eyes pleading for his
silence.
go with me to the concert at the con-
servatory. VIII your"
'tWil1 II" She gave him by way
of answer what, under other circum-
stances, would have developed into a
hug.
homeward to his apartments. The
world had suddenly gone to ashes
about him. Off for Italy with that
birdlike voice of hers. He had often
thought of her as a thrush lover
of hidden secret places; almost
within his reach yet beyond it.
He found his chosen friend and
boon companion sprawled out in a
big chair in his den smoking and
reading. Stevens jumped up at the
sight of his face.
whats the matter. old chap" he
calculated. y
Seating himself Marsden told the
story-a story punctuated by whis-
tied comments on Stevens's part. At
the story's end Stevens leaned back.
"Phil, that is a blow. I had just
begun to count on having a real nome
to drop into-yours and the lady's
with the merry eyes. Ye gods, that is
a. stunner'!"
Stevens drew on his pipe and unused,
looking now and then at his silent
friend in the club chair who seemed to
be far away in some distant valley of
his own thoughts.
Suddenly Stevens struck his pipe
with decision against the CRATE of the
fireplace and jumped to his feet. ct
suppose the party is on tonight at the
ut is Marsden said. "I'u see you
and Alice there"
You bet" was Stevens's answer
as he hurried out.
AS if with a plan already in mind
| he hurried down the street, boarded
a car which whirled its way into the
residential part of the city. Before
a quaint. rambling apartment house
he alighted, and went to the door.
He searched for a name, and a little
| later found himself shaking hands
| with short, pleasant-faced italian.
''DonaluZzi. 1 have a tale for your
ears" Stevens announced.
-"All right" the Italian answered.
ANY man who plays cello as you,
can tell me any tale an I nsten'
Stevens told him swiftly of the stu
Z
he whole-heartedly loved. Now, here
is the point: Beth is your pupil. 1
! have a plan"
He proceeded to unfold it. The
italian alternately blinked. shook his
i head, gasped, refused, and finally
nodded. You say she really loves
him and he loves her?" he asked.
MAN, it is the love L would die for
if I could have it," Stevens said
firmly.
Consider it settled" Donaluzzi an
swered.
At 8 o'clock. Stevens and Alice, the
girl who might some day marry him,
as she said, when he takes life seri-
ously enough to propose without work.
ing in a joke" Marsden and bright
haired Beth were in their seats
The concert began, but Marsden's
thoughts were not on the music but
close to the bright head at his Shout
der; and she, too, glanced up at him
once in a while, shyly, quickly
In one Of the intermissions, an Ital-
ian voice came to them saying softly
to some friend. Yes, Miss Ellsworth
has fine voice-yes, but not a voice
to-to-train for the operate stage.
the great role, all. no. To sing at
home-before friends. yes. But that's
ALL"
The singer on the stage began.
Marsden was conscious of a tense lit
tie body at his side and of his own
establishment A nudge in his side