The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-26
EDening Story
A Summers Experiment.


If you don't believe it just ask one of
them. Ralph was all that a Harvard
graduate should be; tall, athletic,
good looking and on speaking terms
with all the "ologies." Mary was all
that a graduate of Wellesley should
be-tall, athletic, good looking and on
speaking terms with "ologies" of ev-
cry sort-and very earnest. Together
they made couple that people turned
to look after in the street. They were
and were possessed of rich great
uncle who had so ordered their lives
in advance that all they had to do in
this world was to marry each other
and inherit his fortune.
1T is all too utterly absurd" said
Mary as she sat on the piazza of her
summer hotel with Ralph. why,
when we were little children it was,
Mary. now kiss your little husband.
and Ralph, now kiss your little wife
since-with the kissing omitted"
Not always" interrupted Ralph.
Don't be frivolous" continued
Mary. I'VE are at crisis of our lives
and must take decided and reasonable
action. All, Ralph, human hearts are
not to be shaped, nodded and con-
trolled by an old mans whim. The
soaring aspirations of the soul are not
to be confined by sordid considera-
lions of mere money, or the boundless
destinies to which we were born, cir
cumscribed by a preordained course
of life"
not much of an orator but neverthe-
standingly quite so. I agree with
you perfectly. I don't want Uncle
Alexander's money. I can make
money of my own. I know no end OF
fellows who will see that I get started
right You see. Mary. want to carve
pleased with this phrase that he re-
peated it. "Yes-that is it; carve out
my own career"
'It is noble" murmured Mary.
And what was that you said about
the hearth" went on Ralph. Il don't
just remember the words, but they
were all right-just the way I feel
about it. OF course you know 1 nke
you immensely. Mary-always shall
there may be some other girl-you
understand"
And for you. Ralph" replied Mary,
"I have, and shall always retain, the
sincerest regard. But feel, I know,
that
I have another life I long to meet.
Without which life my life is incom-
plete.'"
same here" said Ralph. And
then, after a minute of silence, you
don't SUPP ose that by any chance we
have already metz"
NO, TO, Ralph" interposed- Mary.
BE true to yourself, be true to your
ideals. We have put our hands to the
pIow-Iet there be no turning back.
At this highly original phrase about
the pillow Ralph scratched his head
bad habit of his when
in doubt. He had come to this inter-
by Mary, who had
stated beforehand the important SUD
ject to be discussed-fully, even en-
Enthusiastically, in accord with the pro-
posed plan of action. But now, as he
sat there, with the moonlight shining
on the flowing river below, the night
birds calling now and then from the
wooded mountainside which rose be-
hind the hotel. with a pleasant sense
of Mary's proximity and the sound of
her voice in his ear, he was beginning
to waver. You see, he had not Mary's
the wavering spirit with surprised
dismay. and. as became a young lady
of decision, took prompt action.
There, Ralph" said she. rising
But the stars of our destinies lead US
in different paths. Good night
quite right, quite right. Good
night" said Ralph.
The summer days sped on. Ralph
threw himself avidly into all the gave
ties afforded by the hotel life, and was
one of all coaching parties auto
parties and yachting parties on the
river. Mary confined herself to the
society of her chaperon-an impe-
cunious relative furnished by Uncle
AIexander-and to that of such of
the guests as she suspected of being
"intellectuaP' and serious" She and
Ralph saw each other every day,
sometimes several times day, but
there were no more moonlight confer
ences. The belle of the hotel was a
very young widow with lots of money
and soulful eyes-an alluring COM
bination. Ralph, being seen now and
then in her company, people began
TO talk" and Mary expressed her sat
isfaction that her dear friend had so
soon found his soulmate. Yet she felt
it her duty now and then to drop him
the warning, Ralph, remember. be
true to your ideals
Among the ''intel1igentia" at the no.
tel whose society Mary affected was
Prof. Chase-professor from one of
the smaller colleges-forty. single,
slightly bald and exceedingly erudite.
Everybody said Prof. Chase was just
the man for Mary.
Mary's duenna was a discreet old
lady who never openly interfered or
advised. But she kept Uncle Alexan-
der informed by almost daily letters
how matters stood with his wards. At
first the old man flew into rage, but
on second thought quieted down and
said: Young fools Well. let 'em
go it," He was crude person Ralph
now almost snubbed the widow,
sought the society of other men, and
INDUCED in long meditative walks in
the woods. The widow did not seem
to mind it.
Mary began to fear that the pro-
lessor had a sad, worldly and mer-
cenary strain in him She was sure of
it when she saw him SO often now By |
the side of Ralph's neglected widow |
tho what the two could find to talk |
about in common for her part she |
could not imagine. 1t was evident |
that both she and Ralph had yet a |
long search before them before they |
should find their Complementary |
souls" And now the season drew to |
its close. Already the guests were be- !
ginning TO leave the hotel and the |
leaves upon the naples were turning |
hrnraza