The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-07
Eoeni7g Story
The Accusing Eye.
81 CLARIssA MACKfE.


was buried in her soft palm. Then
she stared at it with dull resentment
in her lovely eyes-the plain gold band
of the inner circlet looked like a we'd
ding ring. With a swift, ruthless ges-
ture she tore it from her finger and
sent it spinning across the room.
From a dark corner of the rich car
pet the jewel giowed at her like an
angry accusing eye-a Questioning eye.
| Why" it seemed to ask, why did
not love him? Why did you accept
this ring from him and promise to
marry him? was il because he is rich
and influential and you were afraid to
wait for Paul-Paul with his fearless
courage during the war-his medals
of honor-his crippled foot-Paul
coming home from war with joyous
heart to find fallen fortunes and to
learn that his promised wife had
changed her mind and was going to
marry an older man-one safe and
sound, rich with the making of war
time profits?"
| .No-no-no-" whispered Elsie,
covering her shamed eyes with her
ringless fingers; but I couldn't ham
! per Paul with my support when he
| had to begin all over again"
The eye winked derisively- Tell
that to the marines-but not to Paul
Browning" it seemed to say.
Elsie regarded the jewel with rebel
I
a man entered. Your mother said
you were in here" he said cheerfully,
as he leaned over and kissed her un-
willing lips. You look awfully In the
blues. dear. Come and drive with me
IL want to show you a house in West
chester"
II don't like westchester, James.
Long Island is much smarter. and be-
sides there are some lovely old places
there"
TOO old. some of them
az love old places" she said defiant
lily Little old-fashioned houses hug
ging the water, with quaint gardens
land giant 1ocusts-and@
you are describing the old Brown
ling place, Elsie" he said coldly.
There was silence between them for
a moment until his glance found the
glittering ring in the corner
Your ring?" he asked with lifted
brows as he brought it to her.
at slipped off-no-I threw II
there 1 am sorry-but I am cross
this morning-forgive me, she cried
penitently. He smiled and kissed her
but his eyes were troubled as he put
it on her finger.
Presently they were gliding along
the Westchester roads under glor-
ious summer sky. Elsie admired the
\ beautiful house her lover had chosen;
it was so perfect in every detail thai
| only a carping spirit could find fault
with it and Elsie was sore-hearted
not mean.
T"Now we are going to look at q
place on Long Island" he said as he
turned the car toward the city. First
we will have a bite to eat"
Elsie was surprised when they
stopped before a modest restaurant or
a crowded thorofare. James Meade
usually patronized the best hotels and
when they lunched it was either in
-
fashionable hotel restaurant.
you will find the food particularly
good here" he apologiZed as they en-
tered, land the service is unsurpassed
we won't have to wait"
This proved to be the case, but Elsie
ate little beyond the first spoonfuls oil
soup; her eyes caught sight of IA
miliar figure across the the rooms
straight young form CARRIED as g
waiter. but with a pathetic limp
The accusing eye winked at her AGAR
as she dropped her spoon with a sick
ening realization that Paul, her SPLEEN
did young lover. had come to this!
Fortunately, he did not see then
and later when they were again in the
car she turned to Meade with blazing
eyes. you did it Intentionally. James
how could you?" she demanded.
at is better that you should know
and see things just as they are" he
said gravely, but the girl only smiled
bitterly and turned away her head
She did not speak to him again fol
a long time, as they threaded the city
streets crossed the bridge and finally
emerged upon the Merrick road
Then she closed her eyes to keep bach
the tears that wanted to come. Al
one moment she yearned to give
Meade his ring and hasten back tC
Paul-Paul Browning, a waiter in g
restaurant-Paul who had fought fol
I I,er r. t,A 4 ,f1
like her-she wanted to snatch hin
away and work for him; she wanted
to do some mental labor for him
Here we are" cried Meade cheer
lily as he stopped the car. but wher
| Elsie opened her eyes she could not
see until the tears had brimmed over
Meade pressed his handkerchief tc
her face and at last she smiled waver-
ingly at him. II am such q goose, >
she said.
"A dear delightful goose" he agreed
as he lifted her down and pushed
open a white painted gate. And what
do you think of this. Elsie?" He
| stood apart with folded arms and
watched her face change from sweet
gravity to wonder. and then joy The
joy quickly faded to resentment.
Not this place, James-not Paurs
old home
You love it?" he asked.
For his sake" she said bravely. 81
| would leave my own luxurious home
ii would give you up, with all that
means-only to be with him and wait
upon him always don't care. how
poor-how lowly-forgive me. James
dear, I am so unhappy and 1 have
/ been very wickedH'
He held her very close in his arms
| until she had sobbed out her grief
and while his voice was brave his eyes
were hurt. He truly loved Elsie and
| he did not want her without the love
that she had to give some one, and
above all he was generous and he
| wanted her to be happy.
81 couldn't buy this place If / want
! ed to, dear" he. said at last. your
! future husband has too much grit TO
let it go-rve tried to buy him out
thru my agent and he wouldn't sell
Unknown to him-rve had an open
| ing made for him in my cousin
! bank-and the ring-that is my wed
/