The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-03
EDening Story
Carter,s Anguished Moment.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD


Say you don't mind. Stan! Just
this once." roaxed Stanley Dawson 8
charming fiancee. Its my last real
fling before I settle down forever"
The man gazed smilingly down into
the girls face. Was it impossible that
she should settle down? She was ten
years younger than himself and he
loved her for her very youth and i've
illness and yearned for the time when
her gay spontaneity should be defi-
nitely in his keeping.
Lets see, Mazda, Just what is this
last mad fling idea?" he asked ten
derby, slipping an arm about her slim
waist and drawing her close. You
want to go on to the boys, commence
ment without your ring, keeping it a
terribly dark secret that you belong
to me. Am 1 right?"
MAZDA nodded a fluffy bobbed head.
Precisely, Stan. And, of course, III
behave myself. Only, well, you can
imagine how much fun anybody's
fiancee would have at the senior ball
and chapter dances without the man
she's engaged to. If only you could
comet"
wish 1 could. dear. but it's out Of
the question" Stan spoke decisively.
Now. how about those Irresponsible
cat out of the bag?"
TIL manage them," promised
Mazda easily. "And you're a dear,
Stan. 1 shall be thinking of you
every single moment"
Stanley, if he rather doubted that
statement, did not say so. Enough
be his wife and so much of her heart
that he knew in time he could capture
the rest. As for this mild little esca-
pade. it bothered him not at all. =
Maida's twin brothers. William and
Bob, had managed to get thru college
with credit scholasticaly, with honors
athletically. Popular, attractive young
fellows. they had q host of friends all
prepared to give their sister a rousing
good time whatever she might prove
to be herself. AS 1t was, from the
moment she arrived on the scene, ex-
quisitely attired, piquantly demure.
unmista kably ready to be entertained.
the boys capitulated utterly.
There had been a little session with
Bob and William on the way up from
the station regarding Stanley. whose
stanch admirers they were.
Shame he couldn't come" said
William. ''and awfuIly decent of him
to let you loose. I say. sis, where's
your ring?"
Now, Bill" pleaded MAZDA. "don't
mention ring. No ones to know I'm
engaged. and STAINS perfectly willing
l. Avn go on, RlalQa. LlaI IdlI.
protested Bob.
LET the kid alone" insisted WILL
liam and the matter was temporarily
| dropped.
Alumni day. baccalaureate, class
! day-the hours sped by on wings, ex-
| citing, absorbing, colorful Mazda
danced from one frolic to another
and IL the thought of Stan sometime:
| dimmed for a moment it was not sur.
| prising. A dazzling galaxy of youth
had constituted themselves her escort.
| and she radiated smiles and fox trot,
| and tete-a-tetes impartially.
OF them all Mazda felt herself par
ticularly drawn to Bob's roommate
Carter Henley-perhaps for the very
| reason that he was a sort of masculine
counterpart of her own reckless
happy-go-lueky self.
Carriers got one case on the kid.
Bob confided gloomily to his brother
as they struggled with collars and ties
and studs in the latter's room the
night of the senior ball.
Not the only one" grinned Will
liam. 'I'll say sis is some little heart
breaker"
"Cold -bfooded little creature, like
all girls" grumbled Bob. Listen to
me Bill. and I'll tell you a mighty
good way to cure Ter. Carter would
be just the fellow to do it. too. Now,
just suppose"
William listened to the proposed
scheme in silence Then, "Cut it out"
he said bluntly. Don't play with
fire. Besides"
But at that moment the -wet. tousled
head of Carter himself was poked in
at the door. Hey, fellows. got a
towel?"
The senior ball had gone its gay
way for several hours when Carter
first found himself alone with MAZDA
on a cool, dimly lighted balcony just
off the dance floor. The girls dusky
beauty was very alluring.
II say, Miss Tremaine"-Carter's
voice was as cool and deliberate as If