The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-22
Et'ening Story
Attaching a Can.

Ruth Arnold's impulsive friend pre-
cipitated herself in a chair and said
gayly: Ruth, you dark-eyed witch.
you have the male hearts at this inn
in captivity; but 1 know the one
among them you are going to marry.
Wonder of wonders, Lucy, 1 don't
and besides" Ruth began.
And besides" Lucy proceeded. '.you
don't ike to talk about such things
I'll say that for you. But, listen, 1
happened to be in a canoe last evening
near the Point, and 1 overheard some
of the men talking; and 1 distinctly
heard that handsome Baltimore fellow
Lee H4rgrave, make a wager that he
would be engaged to you before you
lefti''
Ruth's establishment and disgust
thing to say? Lucy, IL you love me,
don't spread this any farther-''
There he goes now." Lucy ex-
claimed, and Ruth looking up saw
Hargrave. handsome and serene in
white f1annels walking across the lawn
She recognized him Immediately, for
he had caught her attention the day
she and her mother arrived at their
favorite summer place. She had made
up her mind that there was no more
conceited man on earth.
Hes coming here!" Lucy whis-
pered. 'T'll get out!''
Come he did, in-his serene, assured
fashion. Ruth watched him with hid
den interest. So here was the man she
was to marry--on his way to begin the
winning of his wager.
He seated himself at her invitation
and promptly sought to engage her for
a yachting trip that some of the Young
people had under consideration. She
started to refuse. then sly purpose
crept into her mind. Why not give
him a good lesson?
She accepted as graciously as she
could in view of what she knew.
Offensive as the affair was, it held
some amusement for her and besides
she might teach him a wholesome
lesson. She refused other invitations
but never his. He began q wear a
slight air of possession which pleased
her. He began to grow a bit serious
and she let him.
She was puzzled. He never talked
about himself even when she tried to
lead him on. Only when a gray haired
man pointed him out to another as a
mining engineer who was remarkably
successful did she gain any informa-
ton about him. He was always one of
the first to take hold of work Incl
dental to any of the good times. and he
was certainly thoughtful of others.
Really" she had advised herself
after one pleasant time, he is quite
likeable-" She stopped short What
If should fall in love with him-after
that wager? Gracious!''
The next day telegram called him
away, and it was lonely day for her.
Lucy coming with a merry query, was
very coldly treated. But the day gave
Ruth time for thought. She came to a
decision.
81 shalI-let's see what's cruel way
10 say it-tie a can to him when ne
comes back" she said brutally.
He returned looking a bit weary and
haggard, but with his calm self esteem
as fresh as ever. He sought her soon
after his arrival that evening, and,
shooing away others that tried to join
them, took her away on a walk along
the shore.
TITS coming" Ruth warned herself
and tried to smile. She was bit
frightened, for he had found, sensibly
she acknowledged it, a place in her
heart-a small. wee corner anyway.
Where the sea swept away from the
high bluff he halted. Ruth, my work
carries me into rough country, and l
some of the best memories of my life.
wish. too, I might take-take one
other memory with me-"
She tried to say to herself, How
easy! Ny promise. my kiss. and then
never to meet again!" but something
III his FOlCe CIleapeneQ the WOTQS- her
heart jumped as she wondered if he
had made the wager in fun, and then
really fallen irNlove with her.
He went on. II can't say what I
would like to say in the way want to.
But am desperately in love with you"
His calm assurance aroused her.
There is a good reason why you say
that" Then she told him what she
knew about the wager.
He listened in silence. his face
turned to the moonswept sea. When
her hot words ended with, These
shores have heard just such tales.
many times. A real mans love means
too much to me-" he was silent for a
little; and then he spoke so evenly
his voice did not betray his mood:
II have only three weeks off in the
year. 1 cannot meet you elsewhere.
am sorry I impress you as being
egostical. 1t is my way. that's all. At
heart, am sure I am not; for from