The Topeka state journal., 1922-03-16
Eoenfng Story
The Silver of Romance.


BY LAURA REID MoNTG oMERY.
Rose had been turning the question
over in her mind so intently that she
was not surprised when Harold turned
to her and said:
Money makes all the trouble in
life; if it weren't for money and in
fluence. people could do as their hearts
dictate.
1t was almost like answering her
unspoken thought. Rose loved the
slight dark young man sitting opposite
her. He was a clerk making a mod
crate salary; he was not man who
would ever do great things and he
wasn't especially handsome; just
normal, clean young fellow who would
make a good husband. Money is Il
terrible problem" she answered earn
estly.
Harold looked slightly surprised. He
had not guessed that she would take
the situation that way. Without in
fluence it is almost impossible to get
ahead, at least for a man in my posi-
ton; but there are so many things to
be consider ad-the question of loyalty
to ones ideals he broke off flush
ing, and the girl turned the conversa-
ton cleverly to safer channels She,
too, was undecided.
At the door that night Harold lin
gered. The moonlight sent cool
whiteness down upon the old-rash-
ioned brownstone steps ana turned
Roses dark hair silver. You look
wonderful in that silver ngnt, crleSS Grey
the guest, but Rose only laughed ana
stepped back. She knew that he loved
her, but her mind was on the heights;
She longed for the things tbat cenlu
be bought with gold. The fairy moon
light was romantic, but the frall sll-
yer of romance would not pass muster
in daylight. Only cleaning gold could
buy what she wanted.
Harold felt the change in her men
tai attitude and involuntarily stiffen-
ed AFTER all. a man could offer no
more than his all. At least that was
the way Rose read his changed face;
1t was as tho chill wind had passed
between them. The moment of lovers
had passed.
ing house had closed between them
Rose went slowly upstairs. The sa-
YOUR had vanished from lie. Inc
wealthy old widower who occupleu
the parIor suite saw her pass.
would YOU like to go for a spin in
the moonlight ?'' he asked, guessing
that some shadow had fallen between
the couple who were almost lovers
mo ?" he said sharply as the girl
shook her head. "I suppose Harold's
nercenary ideas have disgusted you
with men. I heard today that Miller
has hinted to him that he will take
him into the firm if he marr-es the
Miller, the plain daughter of a
wealthy family"
Stunned Rose stood, one small foot
poised upon the next step. Harold
and Edna Miller! How had she been
so blind? This accounted for Har-
old's preoccupation. He had been ac-
tually hesitating between the girl ne
loved and the girl who would bring
him all he desired from the world.
youth is always selfish" pursued
the gray-haired man, his square stub
born face looking wrinkled and sal
law, his cool aged eyes upon the
youthful face before him, "one can !
scarcely blame Harold for looking out I
for himself. After a man has been
married a year riches are mighty nice |
to have OF course think him mighty |
silly, to pass up a girl like you for a
plain little girl like Edna, but
IT am very sleepy burst out Rose \
furiously, CLINT of tears in her
stormy blue eyes. L"
The other laughed. You can
be sleepy at 1880 O'Clock, he /
teased; 'I will get out the car and we
can race with the moonbeams. The
clouds are being whipped along by
the wind, and we shall have rain be-
fore long
Rose made no pretense Of listening
further Her mind was filled with
Harold; Harold whom she had fan
,ied bound to her by iron links; Har-
Did when she could choose or An
yrily she stamped her foot upon the
worn stair CARPET She had been tow
ng prettily with Harold while he had
been trying to decide whether or not
he could give up all for love. She had
never looked at marriage from the
mans point of view. Marriage to
Harold meant the dividing of a salary
hat was not more than adequate for
me. It meant the giving up of his
ibeFty Instead of giving up a posi- =
-.