The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-31
Euening Story
The Lonesome Girl.
BY CLARIssA MACKIE.

MISE Ddl1O6 CdIu6 1Qly aOWn lu6
hundred wooden steps that led to the
beach. Above her rose the bold head
land thrusting into the sound its
sand-faced slopes, its crown of cedars,
oaks and locusts, where, hidden
among the trees was her fathers
places were scattered along the point
of land, the houses concealed in the
woods; long flights of wooden steps
wriggled down the slopes to bath
houses and lighthouses, each with lit
tie wooden piers running out to meet
the tide.
The tide was coming in rapidly; in
fifteen minutes it would surround the
big rock that marked the outpost for
safe bathing. The beach was de-
serted and cold wind was coming
out of the northeast, yet poised on
the big rock a girls slender figure
was silhouetted against the primrose
of the evening sky. Paula Dalloe
frowned.
Little foolw she muttered impa-
steps to the hard white sand; when
she reached the big rock, she drew
back from the flying spray as the
waves broke against the base.
Can you swim?" she called to the
girl on the rock.
The girl turned a pale, determined
face. Me- she said fatty.
''Then you must come down at once
you will be drowned"
1T doesn't matter" said the other
duly, and turned away to stare at
the far horizon.
''Why-how absurd"
The girl spoke over her pretty
shoulder. impudently.
Does it matter to yeu-particu-
larly?" - ,.. .,,,. 49,,
had better come down and talk things
over with me-you might change your
mind"
"Never-never-ne cried the
girl passionately. There is nothing to
care for-no one to care-it's my own
life-if I want to-go-that way; it's
my business
1--WE cannot shout at each other this
way-come down for while, and If
you must go back, later-very WE'LL
it's your life" suggested Paula.
IF you won't interfere with my 60
ing hack-I'H come for a while-the
tide is so SLOW" conceded the girl as
she slipped YEARLY down the shore
side of the rock and Joined the other,
They sat down on the sand in the aft
erglow of the pale sunset.
who are you?" asked Miss Dalloe,
with puzzled look at the small elf
like figure, the really beautiful face
and sad eyes of the girl. 1--WE seen
you somewhere"
You saw me last night was sing
lib III the Gl1OIGS VI lIlS oGd R1d1Q at
the entertainment in the big house
yender." She nodded toward a
glimpse of red-tiled roof in the dis
lance.
"Aha-at the EaIings-I remember,
you were the smallest girl at the very
The girl nodded. "Who are you?"
she asked bluntly.
Paula Dalloe."
"Your father the rich Dalloe-you
live up here?" She glanced up the
slope.
Didn't you want to return with
the company this morning?"
mo; I was sick and stayed over
They were kind; the housekeeper sent
me to the beach to get the air and I
thought it was the best way out"
"Out Of what? Tell me, please"
Paula smiled and laid her strong
brown fingers on the delicate hand Of
the younger girl.
Everything! I am all alone in the
world-orphan asylum-yeu know
and then the stage-and I met him
he's fine-the best in the worId-but
we lost each other. I know his name,
but I won't seek him, because"
"Because-''
''WeIL I'm not in that class. Miss
Dalloe. I haven't had much educa-
tln' but he said it didn't matter be-
cause my heart was right, and I'd
learn, and we'd be happy. He told
me about his house, and how, when
We were married, I would be the mis-
tress- 1t scared me- was afraid of
all the folks he knew-and SO 1 left
the company was with and ran away
and he never could trace me. This
is two years ago, but it hurts yet" She
stared straight ahead with unseeing
eyes.
st am sorry" said Paula gently.
Don't you think you should let him
know where you are-he may be very
unhappy"
81 couldn't. Pm not his sort. When
we were together it seemed easy. but
after he went I thought of his grand
friends and the disgrace I would bring
upon him.
81 am afraid you haven't treated
him very WE'LL
He has forgotten by this time"
said the girl, sullenly.
'7Will you tell me your manner"
"Eva1yn Clark"
'FWon't9 you come and stay a few
days with me, Evalyn, up at my
house? Perhaps the change will do
you good. You can telephone to your
manager"
Visit you?"
"Yes."
"I cannot. 1t hurts me to go into
peoples homes. I never had one
nothing but the asylum and cheap
boarding houses. 1t is nice of you TO
ask me. I'm only in the chorus, Miss
Dalloe. but it makes me sick for a
home. so I'VE thought that my life is
NV own. and I'd go to my own folks
and not be lonesome any more. You
understand" She arose, poised Ter
flight.
ayes, but you must not take your
life"
"You said could ge back" defied
the other as she went away.
A footstep sounded on the steps
above. Paula sighed relievedly as she
waved a welcoming hand to the young
man in white flannels. She almost
loved Barry Lane at that moment
she had dallied dangerously with the
question for months-for he was SO
dependable, so sure to be there when
needed. Now he could take the OBJ
durate girl and convince her that her
life did matter. She watched his keen
8 =. IL =.,aa fa-z- z-nrds