The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-27
EOening Story
The Innocent Little Thing.
By JESSIE DOUGLAS.


were about the same age, aren't
we, Anice?',
YES" Anice James answered
lightly.
She sat on the lowest step of her
own veranda, her hands ciasped about
her knees.
Robert Hunnewell. turning TO look
at her. SAID with a laugh. s.You look
charming. my dear"
"what is it, Bob? Do you want to
ask my advice?"
He frowned ard Anice saw his dark
brows come together. How well she
knew every iineament or that face.
the brown laughing eyes, the steady
mouth. the skin almost bfueblack en-
the chin.
"I> was just thinking ne went on,
what a pull you have had Of it.
How you had to give up school when
your father died, to take care of your
mother. And how well you've done
it, I should think you'd feel proud
done for yourself"
Sometimes 1 only feet sorry" she
said suddenly. 'fAii I've missed. 1
never could burn the candle at both
ends It's been nothing but work,
work. work"
81 know what YOU mean. Anice. All
that lovely bloom is brushed off. You
see men as they are. you've had to
knock up against things; you've lost
your illusionsi"
She did not answer him.
The silver starlight showed her fac :
white and soft. with pools of shadow
where her eyes were and a slim white
column of throat.
That's the way I feel. too" he
went on as tho he were thinking
aloud. There's only one way to get
back those illusions. That's to fall in
love"
Her hands closed tighter on each
other. Her lashes lifted and she
looked at him. He did not even see
her.
when do fall in love want some
innocent little thing VINO still has
rainbow hopes and believes that
dreams come true. I'll have enough
sophistication for two
''Who is she?" was on Anice's lips
but she caught back the words.
She rose suddenly.
81 am tired tonight" she said in a
detached voice. 'tPm sorry, Robert.
but tomorrow is going to be a hard
day."
She held out her hand and as he
claspedsit she drew it from his fingers.
'T-there's a girl, Anice. I wish you
| could meet her. Coufd 1 bring her
| to see your"
-'Why, of course. Bob. why don't you
both come to tea tomorrow after
noon?" she asked cordially. Its Sat
| urday, you know"
She did not watch him open the
gate; she went quickly inside and
standing there put her two hands over
her face for moment as tho she
| could not bear the thoughts.
Anice hurried home from the office
next afternoon to get everything ready
forNher guests. She had brought some
yellow roses and some cakes, and as
she began cutting wafer-thin slices
| of bread for the sandwiches her
| mother came into the kitchen.
you said Robert was coming with
| some girl?" she asked. "why
thought. Anice, dear" y
Don't think. mother!' Anice smiled
But Mrs. James saw the hurt be-
meath that smile. :
81 have an idea it's that little Hale
| girl who's visiting here. She's just
out of a convent and scarcely nine-
teen. I've heard she's very pretty
She was very pretty. AS Aniee
rose to greet her guest she saw in a
glance the innocent blue eyes and
pouting mouth, the fluff of hair be-
meath a dropping, flower-laden hat.
Anice herself felt suddenly very old
and very disillusioned. She did not
know that her own green organdie
seemed like the sheath of a lily bud
to her white face with It's dark wide
eyes, In Robert Hunnewelrs face
Anice read a new enthusiasm. GER
tain proprietary manner, as he spoke
to little Dolly Hale.
How sweet of you to ask me-" Miss
Hale lisped. Every one is SO sweet
in this little town. It's such a relief
to get away from the constant whirl
of New York"
but I thought you just left the
convent?" Anice asked as she added
tinkling ice to the tall glasses OF tea.
"Oh yeth, the convent" Dolly lisped.
They're SO strict, you know, we had