The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-15
EDenirg Story
A Different Plane.
BY R. RAY BAKER.

In a moment of indiscretion, when
the romantic side of her nature was
set aflame by glowing words of senti-
ment from two masculine lips. AIDE
laide Whitman consented to become
the bride of the young man who ut
tered them.
And now she regretted the rashness.
For Gilbert Claxton was not the man
for her. He belonged to a different
plane of Efe-a lower plane, she felt
convinced She was the belle OF
Brockton. and her father was the
mayor and one of the wealthiest citi-
zens.
Gilbert was a dreamer. He lived in
a world of imagination and lacked the
practicalness that makes for success.
He received a /small wage for his Ia
bors as a clerk in the offices of the
Oceana Portland Cement company,
and outside of working hours he
Isdreamed and wove the dreams into
stories that never sold.
Gilbert was writing a book, he told
Adelaide.-but she had no faith in him
or his works. He was a good looking
man with a~fine vocabulary, but that
was the sum total of his assets. He
did not know how to act in the best
society, and he never looked well
groomed, and his tie never was tied
just right, and the collar he wore
somewhere. This was Adelaide's ap-
praisal of the man she had promised to
marry, said appraisal being made
when sober, sound reasoning came to
her rescue the next day.
SO Adelaide sat down and wrote a
note to Gilbert, explaining the situa-
ton. She could not tell him in person.
Tor fear that his fascinating personal
ity would undermine her resolution.
am very sorry this has hap
pened," said the note, hut L realize
was not quite myself when Il made
that promise to you. Really I'VE were
not meant for each other. We belong
to different planes of life. and we
never would be happy Please forgive
me-"
Gilbert received the note that after
noon. 1t came with three long, heavy
lenvelopes, and when 1T first he saw
1t he took it for al acceptance of some
of his work.
Jerry" he called, holding up the
| small envelope. Here's somethins
different for a change"
| Jerry was the slim. brown -hairet
girl seated at a table reading a manu-
script. She had lived with Mrs. CIax
| ton since the death of the girls fathe!
| some years ago and was considered
one OF the family. Jerry was great!
| interested in the manuscripts which
Gilbert was forever sending away am
getting back, and one day she has
asked permission to look one over
She had read it and offered a helpful
criticism which resulted in sale of tn
story. After that Gilbert always lie
Jerry peruse the product of his brail
before sending it away.
Il never could write anything my
self" Jerry confessed, but somehow
seem able to tell what is wrong witt
your work"
So Gilbert had placed the girl on hi
staff" and when she was not attend
ing to housework and getting meal
she usually was engaged in readin
manuscript. Just now she was help
ing Gilbert with his book
Her eyes frightened when Gilber
held up the small envelope, but hi
4 face took on a puzzled look when h
noticed the penmanship of the ad
dress. He tore the envelope open il
silence and read, and then he went GU
and took a walk without saying
word. Jerry's eyes followed him thf
the door, and they were full of sym
pathy-or something else. She nodde
understandingly as she resumed read
ing.
A year rolled by and Adelaide Whit
man had not yet met the emaculat
man with the high ambitions; an
neither had Gilbert Claxton made hi
mark as a writer. However, they say
no more of each other except whe
they met by chance. After that not
from her Gilbert made no overture:
If he suffered as a result of her actfo
he suffered in silence. No one coul
look into his Inconsistencies it wa
iJerry.
Then came a great day for Gilbert
|, What made the day great was a sir
letter from a book publisher, and
invited him to New York for con
sultation regarding the book that wa
to be published.
Gilbert went. and as the train too
him out of sight middle-aged woma
and a young girl turned from the sta
ton.
when he comes back he will be
) success" predicted the middle-age
woman at know his book will wiz
altho I have not read it,
"It will win. all right" said the girl
"I have read 1t, and know it is good
To herself she added. somewha
sadly:
yes, he will be a success. and thel