The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-03
Eoening Story
IaIIa.
Lalla.
BY CLEVES RUDYARD

a smother of foam. She emerged,
gloriously alive, her golden arms
flashing thru the water. her orange
colored cap glowing like some bright
tropical blossom on her lovely head.
The receding wave left her painting on
the sands.
Mrs. Mcrdaunt looked up from her
book as the wave broke, and SO she
received a faint shower of spray that
brought the salt SAVIOR of the sea to
her delicate lips She smiled imper-
sonally at the bit of flotsam left by
the wave and would have resumed
her reading but the girls low, thrilling
voice held her attention.
"Merci!" she exclaimed. ut is the
broken shell, madame, see, have cut
myself" She sat down, displaying a
small wet foot, with a crimson stain
chief She shrugged. and reach
ed for a wisp of sea grass.
Take this" said Mrs. Mordaunt,
graciousy tossing a snowy bit of linen
into the lifted hands; II believe
out another handkerchief and watched
the girl deity bind the little cut. ty-
ing the corners OF the handkerchief
in little outstanding ears. The girl
laughed.
you so much for your kindness, and
the handkerehiefs-I must return
them some day"
"It does not matter. I hope the
wound is not painful"
VERY slight. thank you. May 1 sit
here in the sun for awhile: am
rather tired?"
do not go until you have rested.
Are you stopping at one of the hotels
at the point?"
Yes, the Harraden."
did you swim all that distance? ?"
yves NOT hii p-OUiV the
surf Is strong here-and I fought it.
love to rise above obstacles. when
can"
Mrs. Mordaunt studied the firm
cleaning teeth, the soft brown eyes,
and her glance fingered on the lovely
contour Of brow and cheek.
II have friends stopping at the
Harraden,' she said at last; 1.-The
Sandersons"
"Ah, yes, have seen them. but I
am not acquainted; they are very rich
and fashionable, and L am a poor,
little mouse"
"They are delightful people" she
hesitated and her fine face colored
painfully. Miss Amy Sanderson is
The girls face seemed to grow
smaller as the happy light died out
of it: Miss Sanderson should be very
happy" she said with wistful eyes
far out at sea-
'fWhy?"
so well-beloved-so welcome as a
daughter
Mrs. Mordaunt laughed kindly
81 am sure you will be as gladly
welcomed some day" she said gra-
ciously.
'I am afraid not" said the girl
slowly. 81 am quite humble per-
son, Mrs. Mordaunt.'
you know who I am? ' asked the
older woman, startled.
The girl nodded. 'I have seen your
picture. I am what you would call
an actress entertain children of
the rich-children of your friends.
perhaps, they love me-they love my
stories and songs-my people are
French-heroes. many of them
honorable all of them-and I come
here, and fail so foolishly in love with
a young man"
what is Jour manner" asked Mrs.
Mordaunt.
'Lalla?" The older woman's face
paled, and her eyes grew cold. DO
you know my SOM"
yes, madame. we-we-love."
anthony" her voice shook-she
bad planned so much for Anthony.
tressed; have told him I could not
marry without your CONSENT have
PRIDE" but with a winsome smile, IT
much desire your consent"
You came-here-to ask it?"
"No-no-please do not believe it;
your son does not know you are near,
He would come to you at once-but
1 was swimming out and weary and
came here and recognized you, you
are so like him, but much too young
to be the mother. of such a great
man." she ended naively.
Mrs. Mordaunt smiled, but her
heart was cold toward this girl who
had spoiled her plans for Anthony's
future. Anthony had written her
Of some girl. Lalla, but his mother
had thought little of 1.-THE girl
was fine and open and honest-but
no match for Anthony; still Anthony
was quite capable of marrying with |
out her consent.
Her face had settled into stern
lines and Lalla, see:-g it, was abashed
and silently rising made for the water.
She would have vanished had not
Anthony's mother suddenly missed
her and FOLLOWED.
watt" she called.
The girl turned a weary face. IT go, !
madame-thank you for your kind
ness-and allow me to wish you much |
joy in your sons wife" She gave her
self to the embrace of great wave
and went floating away with a white |
smother of foam streaming out be-
hind like a wedding veil.
Mrs. Mordaunt felt pang of re-
morse; she thought of the times she !
had snatched her son from death; |
she had watched over all his illnesses |
from baby hood, and now was she to I
snatch him away from happiness?
"Come backHs sic called. "Lalla, |
come back to me-"
The girl swan around and came
near.
you called, madame?"
yes, my dear-ten Anthony to |
bring you to see me tonight" said |
Anthony's mother.
The girl waved : joyful hand, ami
now the foamy wedding veil became
a path of airy bubbles that reached /
all the way from Anthony's mother
to Anthony himself.
Copyright, 1891, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)