The Topeka state journal., 1922-08-31
EDening Story
Where One Dream Ends.
BY A. w. PEACH.

and palette aside and listened. The
old studio building had once been
soundproof. but time had worked a
mysterious change-at least between
tWinston's studio and hers. She was
making her piano speak of haunted
things, even thru the old walls. The
music was softened, but it came to
him with something of the charm of
music that drifts across mooniit wa
ters.
Finally, he shook himself from the
spell. drew out a small electric heat
er, and swiftly prepared an attractive
lunch. Then he~calmly marched up
lstairs and knocked on her studio
door. He was a bit afraid of her, for
she had seemed to him, a very
naughty little person. but any girl
who had played right thru the after
noon into the evening merited some
interruptio1, if only long enough. to
eat.
The music ceased, the door opened,
and small oval face in which un-
out with cold query.
Robert winston, impressionist
presents his compliments to Avis Rom
aid, depressionist, and invites her to
a repast with him, for the day is far
done and the darkness s-'' he be-
But -"
She looked so weary, and a bit
troubled with some inner doubt that
made her hesitant, that he did what
he hardly had thought ne possessed
the courage to do-he serenely
reached out and took her hand.
Come, child, you have practiced
long enough Look upon my gray
hairs and be obedient,'' he announced
She glanced quickly at his temples,
where faint streaks of gray were be-
ginning to show, and smiled. Il will
go, but, please, promise you won't be
as nice to me as you usually are!''
He looked at her with astonish-
ment; her voice was half serious, half
whimsical. You shall command mel"
he answered with finality.
She sank into the big loungi1g
chair in his studio with a faint sigh
of relief, and he drew up the little
table on which he spread the Iunch.
She was in a somber mood. tho she
made some effort to match his cheer
fulnesS; and with his knowledge of the
ways of human hearts, he knew she
had come to one of those dark days
when the game does not seem worth
the candle.
When the lunch was out # the way
he leaned forward. Now look, Avis,
there is something very much wrong.
You see, l read human hearts
The look in her dark eyes as they
rested upon him was perplexing. II
WOnO0IJ was All Sne Sal0.
yours c9n read. Something is
going wrong. Now we are neighbors
and friends. Can't help your
She shook her head. "Oh, it is
nothing. am just a-wondering
whether-but you wouldn't under
stand!"
He saw it was useless to try to draw
her out. 81 think L could. and you
know you can count upon me if 1 can
be of useP'
Ii
sir" she replied in the same puzzling
tone.
\ They chatted of this and that-''the
nOthings that make up Hfe''-and then
out her hand. You have been very
good to me-in spite of the noise I
make over your head-and I am
grateful to you"
He. was downright puzzled His
first impulse was to wrap his arms
about her, draw her dark head close,
to. his, make her tell what was on her
mind. He suddenly realized how she
had stolen into his heart, what she
meant to him; but her dark aloofness
checked him, and lhe good night he
gave her was merely the pleasant.
bantering good night of friendship.
He was away from the studio most
of the day, returning in tn. evening.
His day had been a busy one, but for
some mysterious reason his thought
of her had been on his mind. Think
ing he heard a slight stir above him,
he went up, but there was no answer
to his knock; yet, going down the
stairs he met Tim, the janitor, and i'll
response TO a casual question Tim re-
piled that Miss Ronald had gone to
her studio, he thought.
He tried to compose himself to
work, but he was restless. He went
upstairs again and knocked on her
door. Silence answered him. Pro-
fQundly puzzled. he called her name
softly, and was certain he heard a
faint sound within. Then he took the
situation by the horns
Avis. open this door or will get
Tim. Please. I have something i'm
portant to tell you!"
The door opened slowly and she
was facing him. His quick trained
eyes saw in her girlish face fear.
fright and some terrible determina-
ton. He closed the door quickly
Avis, what Is IT? Tell met He
caught her to him. "I have been
worried for some strange reason all
day. Tell me- want to know
With his arm around her sight
waist he held her to him in spite of
the effort she made TO release her
self. Then she held out one small,
finely formed little hand.
wistful Voice. TT is enough. 1 have
felt my hand growing numb, Il
thought I practiced all yesterday
afternoon to drive it away. This
morning I could not move it. and
this afternoon specialist told me /
would never use it again-paralysfs.
You see"-she spoke with dangerous
quiet-"I have overdone my prac-
ticing. Tried too hard to make a
dream come true, and now it's gone!"
She did not weep. There is aratage
beyond weeping. beyond despair. He
know something of its meaning. He
looked down at the dark head He
noted that her left hand zzas hidde.a