The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-22
Euening Story
Anne Rose.

ing eyes. He had loved the mother of
Anne Rose and she had been denied
him, but when he saw the lovely young
daughter he knew that PREPARATION
would be made for his lonely life. He
was very rich and the years had
brought him prominence in the finan-
cial world and much social distinction.
He was still handsome, with fine eyes
and slightly grazing hair; he was tall
and straight and active as boy. Anne
Rose was only twenty and she was
wondrousIy fair-and the poor protege
Of frivolous aunt.
She's a dear. isn't she, Roddy?'
dubbed Mrs. Chaffee, with a nod
toward her niece. Looks a lot like
poor Mamie
''She is Nannic,'' returned Cortland
with dreamy eyes on Anne Rose, while
slow red crept into his face and then
vanished, leaving him white and tense
with suppressed feeling.
Poor old Roddy," smiled Mrs. Chat
fee, patting his coat sleeve, then she
added mischievously: why not little
Anne Rose?"
why not?" he retorted lightly; but
the thought made his pulses leap.
Weeks afterward he met Mrs
Wayne. He had known her of old,
selfish scheming woman. but with
disarming manner that was very fetch
ing. Cortland found himself beside
her at a dinner party.
Il haven't seen you in years." she
exclaimed; do come into the library
and give me a bit of advice"
Il am always at your service, he
said courteously. but he was annoyed
he had wanted to go to Anne Rose
as soon as he could get away. Anne
Rose was wearing a blazing solitTe
now.
When they were alone, she dropped
in to-a chair and appealed to him.
Its about my nephew Hal Brayton
he's as poor as a church mouse b 1T
the poor dear is frightfully in love with
that charming little niece of Mrs
Chaffee's-Anne Rose Graye."
"Yes?" he asked stiffly.
THE poor things have been in love
for ages-and they cannot marry-Hal
is wild. She is receiving much atten-
ton and he is afraid she might marry
for money. Girls want SO much
nowadays. I have thought you might
use your influence to get him posi-
ton"
so that he may marry Miss
Graye?'
Yes. Young things like that have
a right to happiness
"Of course" he agreed drily. II will
do the best 1 can for Hal"
Il knew you would not fail me-" she
gushed, but as he left the room a hard
look crept into her eyes.
Anne Rose stood in the middle of
Mrs. Chaffee's drawing room, trem-
bling. She seemed like a dewy,
breeze blown rosebud.
You startled me, Roderick," she
explained. lifting her flower face to
his.
He did not kiss her. He held her
hands tightly and looked over her head
toward the dim windows
You never told me that you knew
Hal Brayton," he said in a strained
voice. 1t seemed to him that he waited
ages for her answer; her hands grew
cold In his grasp. and the chill seemed
to creep up his arms and grip his
heart.
You never asked me-" She gave
the aged-old answe. of women in a
small, weary voice.
Il heard-tonight-tha you were
engaged-befoce you met me. You
are not marrying me from pity. dear?"
You could mott would not let
youi" he said grimiy
She slowly released her hands. from
his grasp and stepped back until she
leaned against a table. And suppose
I heard-that you only loved me be-
cause l was the shadow of an old love
of yours-that you were making obla-
wavered uncertainty.
We'll. and suppose 1 did?" he de-
fled her
"Ah" Little gusts of sobs shook
her slim shoulder and a rain Of tears
sprinkled the rose of her cheeks She
drew off the engag cement ring and
forced it into his reluctant hand.
She brought out a lovers knot of
platinum and gold and put it on her
third finger.
free" What was it Olive Wayne had
said-'they are young, and young
| things should be happy" he won
dered if just being young was not hap
piness enough-and why middle age
and old age should not share in the
magic potion?
Anne Rose" he said suddenly, 81
love you-no matter how much-it
will take the rest of my life to tell 1t;
but if you loye Hal Brayton 1 will free
yon and--I will help you all can"
/ The girl lifted questioning eyes II
do not love Hal Brayton," she denied:
"but there always has been-it was a
sort of inherited love, 1 think-fos-
tered by an old miniature that be-
longed to my mother and which con-
tanned your picture-I became a hero
worshipper and measured all men by
that standard-and that is why" her
voice dropped deliciously and her
trembling hands went out to him,
that is why it is so easy to love you
now"
The telephone bell tingled impa-
tiently and stopped from sheer weari-
ness Mrs. Chaffee, trailing her
draperies into the room, paused a mo-
ment and then noiselessly disappeared.
Amaid came in to replenish the fire
but she scuttled. away.
Cortland had his Anne Rose at last!
| Copyright. 1920, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate-)