The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-08
Eoening Story
Ieft-Overs.
BIZ LILY wANDELL.

out of the corner of his eye. How she
basked in the continual sunshine of
admiration. 1t thrilled him to think
/ that he had won her. She was new in
town and immensely popular, and he
( hal always been too engrossed in fol-
/ lowing his vacation of professor to
bother about social affairs But De-
I borah, with her brilliance of a woman
in full bloom. had shaken him out of
his retirement.
a very young girl, too short for
CAMS taste, had seated herself on the
other end of the sofa. Cam glanced at
her and decided he did not like her.
She was too small, her hair too
straight and black, her skin too dark
and her eyes, slanting like an orien-
taFs, black and lips. conspicuous for
being small and painted very red. She
smiled family, almost timidly.
I'm your neighber," she ventured.
He did not like her voice either. 1t
was low pitched and -throaty. De-
borah's was clear and distinct.
Neighbour" then smiling a the
settee, "Oh, I see.'i
That was not what meant. ! am
visiting Mrs. Ingram, WHO livesa next
door to you. I've seen you loads of
times
1t sounded slightly reproachful, and
Cameron Daw. being of a sensitive ma
ture. felt then and there called to
make up for his seeming incivility.
Litter. before the party was over,
when she expressed desire to go
home, Cam accompanied her the short
way, simply as a courtesy to Mrs
Ingram, TO whom he felt indebted for
many little neigbborly kindnesses.
Somehow or other he got talking
about the stars to the girl, and when
he returned to the scene of festivity
the guests had left. including De
borah. He was amazed; he had had
no idea that he had stood more than
an hour explaining the solar system
to a slant-eyed girl. At any rate he
went home congratulating himself that
ne was engaged to Deborah and not
to Mrs. Ingram's young visitor Poor
little thing, he felt sorry for her. she
seemed so forsaken, a little different
from other girls Even her name,
Vashti, had a heathenish sound. quite
in tune with those dark almondShaped
eyes and painted lips.
The next day he fingered near the
party fence. This had nothing to do
with his neighbours guest; he was in
terested in a vine growing there, a
troublesome vine that needed no end
of tying and adjusting. And after he
had fused with it for quite while,
Vashti did appear and came over to
see what he was doing. She might
nave been a hardy little brown plant
herself. as she stood there in wood
colored skirt and sweater. adorned by
a single splash of red, a ripe berry
her painted lips.
He explained the vine to her, all
about its botanical family, and similar
wild vines that grew in nearby wood
lands. He suggested that after his
classes they might look for some.
1t was not on this walk. but during
their second or third jaunt- that he
learned about Bobsie. Vashti in con-
fiding whispers told him all about the
quarrel that had occurred the day be-
for ii iGfa ore IA RI II
was a senior. and from EashtPs de-
scription, very hard-hearted and un-
forgiving. He was not taking any steps
to make up he seemed to take a ma
licious enjoyment seeing her lonely
and forsaken. Vashti wanted to know
what to do about it.
Let's stir him up TO action" sug-
gested Cam boyiShly, make him see
the green-eyed monster-frighten him
and then" he stopped moment and
added slowly, I'm sure Deborah won't
mind 1t did not sound very posi-
tive.
.'Who on earth is Deborah? % giving
the name a funny little twist
why. surely you know Miss
Heath? I'm engaged to be married."
Vashti interrupted with a delicious
laugh III not be fooled. I don't
believe for a moment that you would
marry a leftover"
"Vashtil' cried Cam In a shocked
voice. really. you don't realize what
you're sayingi leftover Deborahs
not more than thirty-two or three
quite a bit younger than T.
But quite a bit too old for you."
mimicked the girl, laughing, and then,
with appealing sweetness, I'm sorry,
thot" And Cam did not know whether
she meant that she was sorry for him
or for her rude remark about left
overs.
He explained to his fiancee over the
telephone about his obligations to Mrs
Ingram and the very nice opportunity
he had of reciprocating by helping her
to entertain her guest. He hoped De-
borah would understand. She said she
did perfectly, and reminded him of
one or two dinner dates and about
making a list for the wedding invita-
tons.
Cam found himself squirming out
of different social engagements His
fiancee was very sweet about his seem
ing Neglect; he almost wished she
would be a little huffy and, more ex-
acting But she was very busy her-
self with dressmakers and shopping,
and all sorts of showers and lunch
cons Nevertheless, Deborah was
hound to notice how things stood: she
was clever. tho. and refrained from
nageing. and went on with gay prepa-
rations.
AS for Cam. he wondered why he
had ever insisted upon so short an
engagement period. Here was his
wedding coming off IN less than two
weeks, He could not believe it; it
could not be possible. He did not like
being hurried like this; he wanted
time to think Think about what?
Then and there he determined to
fight the thing out Why be cow
ard and lie toshimself? Why pro-
crastinate? He was wildly in love
with little vashti and. what was more,
he was ready to admit ito the
world. il necessary. Deborah was so
sensibIe-he thanked God for that
he could talk the thing over with her.
Tonight was a dinner dance; he could
talk TO her then. He could not bear to
meet her and act the hypocrite- So
he wrote her a letter releasing her
from her engagement to marry him
and seat it over to the Heath home by