The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-14
Euening Story
The Peak.
BY CLARIssA MACKIE.


was a slim gray form leaning against
the white pillars OF the porch. Her
large eyes were still troubled and her
fair face very sad. Viola's trouble
was a mystery to hin-she had al
ways been such a gay, irresponsible
creature, and now in the last five
years she had sobered into a woman
who went about as if her heart was in
some other world.
He had racked his brain to think of
some reason for her change. and when
he had chance to take a brief vaca-
ton he thought of his old classnate,
Jimmie Ladd, who had built a studio
in the heart of the wilds and had not
been seen by civilized man for several
years. Old Jimmie, once a wizard
guess at Viola's preoccupation.
What the deuce are you doing
here?" gasped Jimmy when he
gripped Travers's hand. Anything
happened? Everybody we'll and
happy There was a sudden sharp
Travers met the honest scrutiny of
those brilliant blue eyes. "All WELL"
he smiled
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sister?" Ladd
was bending to caress a beautiful col
Very well, thanks. No need to ask
you how you enjoy so!itude-youre
hard, and thin, and rugged-man,
you've worked yourself to a bone"
Work agrees with me. I'm very
fit these days. There. Sheila. lassie
run away-scoot." He ciapped his
hands and the animal leaped upon
him playfully. she belonged to my
young brother Bob-you know he
went to Flanders-never came back
- Ladd's face was hidden a moment
behind the collie's snowy ruff and
then suddenly lifted to show the eyes
dulied with pain and the mobile lips
grim and unsmiling. Funny thing
this life we live-one loves it. gforifies
it by heroic deeds and is snuffed out
while another who doesn't care a straw
whether he stays on or not has to fight
out his dreary round of days"
Not you, Ladder" Travers pro-
tested. TT
A smile crooked the painters mouth.
Il am a cheerful beggar these days,
van; first time I've seen you in years.
and I'm giving you an impression OF
perpetual blue Mondays. Forget it;
come see my camp and have a bite 20
eat. Then I'll give you private view
of what I've been doing lately. To-
morrow you can hunt or fish; today
is mine to gloat over you"
of course knew you had cap
tured the Wondrel prize"
Yes"
FAnd had room to yourself at the
big exhibition. ] couldn't go. but
Viola was there and bought one of
your pictures
"Yes?i'
1.-The Peak There's something
haunting about that picture, Laddie;
SO much snow, gray ice and such bleak
distances. Then the jagged white
| peak rising stark, alone, with the
north wind keen in its face, while the
sheltered life of the valleys below
moves on peacefully, not knowing the
bitter storming Of the peak: it is 1ike
] 7n4tr Nlarr - too -.
the world and seeing all that he loved
and hoped for pass by. It's heart
breaking!" TraverS's pleasant voice
grew rough with feeling
IT'S not a bad picture" said Ladd
simply, as he refilled his pipe
TraVers scrutinized his friends face
The old, happy carelessness had gone
The man had grown big and rugged,
| like the mountains which he painted;
his erect carriage and the deep ca
| dences of his voice made one think of
| vast distances. of snow covered jour
neys, long winter days amid ice and
snow barriers, always alone. Ladd had
| a way of suddenly withdrawing into
a chill silence. aloof from the busy
world he had discarded. Jimmy Ladd
was frozen. Perhaps the story Trav-
ers had to tell of Viola would thaw
him out-Jimmy and Viola had al
ways been good friends and so had
young Bob Ladd. A sudden thought
smote him like a Spang. Perhaps it
was Bob Ladd's death that had STRUCK
! the light from Viola's eyes. But it
was not until the evening meal was
over that Ladd awoke Travers from a
| long, abstracted silence.
Did you bring your troubles with
you. Van?' he asked.
Travers nodded. his thin lips tighten
| ing about his pipe stem Il brought
| them to you, hoping you might help
| It isn't tinanciaEthat's always been
| all right" He hesitated How little
could he tell and make Jimmy under
stand? He was ihcap able of deciding
for himself now, and Viola seemed so
remote from fiim-so inaccessible in
| her lone sorrow. He wanted to help
her to happiness. 1T is my sister," he
said at last.
Viola? What of herr"