The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-13
EDening Story
Verify the Gods.
BY A. ". PEACH.

IIlGuQ. w nat W LA1AAAhr SAAoAA
think you out of your mind il you
don't calm down."
ssWen, YOU will be out OF your mind
when tell you that there's a man 60
ing to marry you" Edith went on
Beth smiled moderate smile. II
hope there is-somewhere; and I'll
grab him IL he meets specifications!'
mo, really. Beth Blue Eyes, a man
has taken out a license to marry
my DEAR" the cool voice answered,
you are de1nented. The man
But I'm not crazy. His name is
Mardon Campbell"
81 never heard of him-honest In
jun"
Never you mind. he knows you.
He has taken out a license, and it
gives your name and address. You
know the Star is printing the names
OF those after a license; and it must
be you, your name and address. Sect"
She thrust the newspaper in front of
Beth.
Beth put aside her needle and calm
face, and under il a brief run of type
which said in effect that Marden
Campbell, a young engineer who had
invented a new mining process, was
stopping in the city long enough to
wed Miss Beth Mills. ETC., and thas
South America where he was to be
employed.
'Hum-m-m, a honeymoon in South
America. and have always longed to
roam: verify the gods understood Dad
used to say, I ought to marry viking
or a hobo. I wonder which he is"
Beth commented.
Her staring friend burst out, "You
cold-blooded witch. do you know
him %
knew him, never heard of him!" was
the brief answer. "Ah, there's the
telephone; suppose
A gay voice. touched with the tone
that is suggestive of manhood, strength
and determination, spoke to her. Did
she recognize him? she was asked.
The spirit OF mischief and daredevil
try that had been the bane of her
mothers life and the quiet joy of her
fathers, took possession of her. Yes,
she recognized him; yes, she would be
glad to see him. He could come right
over.
When Beth reached her room the
open mouthed Edith was there; and
in ansWe- to the unspoken question
Beth replied. HE is coming. Now
Wen see what he is likei''
Beth, you certainly have the nerve"
Edith exclaimed impolitely.
mo, my dear. he has-not I: and
want to see what breed of man he
is"
But when the excited friend had de-
parted, Beth felt her courage ooze a
bit, She picked up the newspaper and
looked long at the cut of the man who
expected to marry her. 1t was a strong
face-of that there was no doubt; the
face of a man accustomed to have his
own way.
Good heavens. suppose he has
NJ n a I'm h r.,
to marry me; really believe he would.
He certainly looks like the kind dad
used to call a herman"
She made no special preparations
to meet him, nor did she plan any
campaign; for she realized that such a
situation might work out in too many
ways to be arranged beforehand She
had heard of men impulsive and i'm
petuous whose methods were not COM
mon ones; but this specimen-he was
unusual.
When word came that he was down
stairs she was decidedly nervous for
a moment; then she laughed it off
neers, facers of the unknown. Look
him overt"
She stepped into the room and
closed the door. He doomed before
her, tall, brown of face, his eyes smil-
ing. His gaze was direct and frank
the sort of gaze she liked. He made
no impulsive step toward her as she
entered.
The smile vanished on his face.
Pardon me, came to see Miss Beth
Mills"
She nodded and said, ct am Miss
Mills" and smiled as his face went to
blankness, establishment, then to an
expression her keen eyes could not
fathom. Only she knew that behind
the fact was a swift-working mind.
His face relaxed. "But-but this is
a deuce Of a situation!"
She laughed, for the expression was
a favorite with her father. She
stopped when she saw a new interest
light in CampbelTs face.
But certainly am engaged to Miss
Beth Mills at this address," he said,
a faint smile on his face.
He seems to take the disappoint-
ment rather lightly" was her sug-
gestion to herself then size said aloud.
please sit down, and perhaps we can
unravel the mystery"
He obeyed willingly enough, and in
the frank way of men. who live bravely
and openly and have nothing to con-
ceal he told the story he had to tell.
AS he went on his grave, steady eyes
upon her, she felt a stirring within her
such as no man had ever caused be-
fore. After all he was her breed
the man of the open. battling with
great obstacles, clean-lived, OPEN
souled, and "a honeymoon in South
America" was the phrase that came to
her mind"
1T looks as II somebody had put
something over on me-" he said with
out trace of bitterness. "You see, my
work is with things that play fair, and
some men and women don't"
She nodded agai- MY father was
mining engineer too"
He looked at her with eyes a bit
wistful. Then you understand"
She nodded once more. 81 think
understand, and 1 think I know the
explanation, and.
Never mind; was going to keep
my word with her-the one I met; but
this releases me-" he said quietly, re-
lief in his tone. He rose to his feet.
But II would like to see you
again.
Deep in her soul she smIled and
helped him out. II can talk mines
with the best of them; and I will be