The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-24
DOING A KINDNESS.

-
me
Come, it might have been worse, y I
said TT might have been a COW or an
earthquake. % Esther unskewered her hat
and sat down.
But he-followed me, - she said i'm
pressively.
lie didn't catch your" inquired
Don't be silly, - Esther replied. 81 tell
you he followed me. III never think Of
walking home 50 late again-alOne. -
''Why did you tonight I asked.
fsWeu, you know, I had to do those
sketches at the dress rehearsal and
couldn't get away until 1870. Then I
could only get a bus to Oxford circus And
then I waited and every bus was crowd
ed, and felt horrid waiting there. So I
determined to walk. And as soon as I got
out OF the crowded part I found there was
q man following me. -
g Close9''
No, not very, butt
Glow did you know Did you look
around
"Of course I didn't. But a girl can tell
when any one is following her -
She can tell a policeman, I suggested
Esther reflected a moment as she drew Of
her gloves
Yes, of course she said. But the
poor man wasn't really doing any harm,
you know. So there was nothing TO tell
really. p
s'Then why disturb yourself about hirn?''
ooh, you can't understand how a girl
feels. - said Esther, looking a little an
noyed
But. - said after a pause, 81 thought
you came home in a cab. %
From the Marble arch p said Esther
ct couldn't endure it any longer I walk
ed as fast as I could, and he walked just
as fast. When [ walked slowly to let him
IL
ed to the other side of the street. And
would you believe it-he crossed too. rs
ther leaned forward in her chair to note
the effect I signified astOnishment with
my eyebrows in the usual way
"And, she continued, when I was
nearly at the Marble arch, I could feel him
coming up behind me-quite near. sim
ply had to take a cab.
1T was a close shave, . said-''veTy
close shave indeed. - Esther looked at me
rather doubtfully
'sBut-Jlo you think he meant to do any
thing9" she asked.
'sWel. said. 81 can hardly say. with
out knowing his previous career. OF course
he might have been a highvayman, and,
on the other hand-hello, Martini Come
in p
II beg your pardon, - said Martin, halt
ing in the doorway. II thought you were
alone. -
"An right, said. 81 was expecting
you. You know my sister. We were just
discussing the possibility
George, don t, . said Esther under her
breath the possibility, - I continued, " of
assault and battery and highway robbery
upon an unattended young woman in OK
ford street What do yc- think about it?''
That's rather curious, said Martin,
sitting dewn. ''Only this evening I have
been-in sense-protecting a female IN
distress. I was confronted by a problem,
and should like your opinion on it, Miss
Matthews
Martin looked at Esther. who turned
slightly in her chair with an obviously as
sumed air OF interest. I can never under
stand why Esther docs not like Martin,
though I am quite certain she doesn't
I'll spotted her, p said Martin 'hu1rying
along Oxford street Just in front of me.
She was q lady, and L could see she was
very uncomfortable at being out so late
alone It really distressed me to see her
edging into the road to make way for po-
lite and inohensivo people. When she
heard a couple of men coming along sing
ing, she almost ran, and then almost stood
still to let them get IN front Of her Now,
there was a problem for me. y
I'll don't see that there was any problem
at all, y said Esther, turning her face q lit
tie more toward the fire away from Martin
was frightened though there was really
nothing to be afraid of-so frightened that
she was running backward and forward
across the road whenever she saw any one
within 50 yards. Doubtless she was a silly
little goose. But she was a fellow creature,
and rs was going in the same direction
it was my obvious duty to assure her OF
safety. The problem was how to assure
her 7 may smoke, mayn't I?'' Martin
lit SO 7.Trv fret fr7ass
was to follow her until I saw her safely at
home But then 1t struck me that she
wouldn't know I was behind, and 50 I
should be doing her 10 good at all and
giving myself a lot of trouble. -
on might, I suggested, have called
q cab and offered to give her q lift " Mar
tin shook his head
mo" said he, that would never do. /
Do you think so, Miss Matthew'S
81 really dom know anything about it, .
said Esther
well % said Martin, "this was my So
luton; I determined to address her re-
spectfully-teu her had noticed her EN-
assure her was respectable /
lived in a house and SER ed on juries and
al that-and offer to walk dozen yards /
behind her until she reached her front door +
and then leave her without speaking. What
do you think of that2''
So You didn't do itY'' I said.
ono, said Martin. Just as I had
nearly overtalzen her lot of rowdy mon
came along, and she jumped into a cab So [
didn't bother myself any further "
q What did she look hkes'' asked Esther /
with her face still turned toward the fire.
ooh, like a Girl, . said Martin, Just an
ordinary girl-with one Of those silly oapes /
that girls wear
g Anything like thisP'' asked, picking
Up Esther's cape
Martin looked at the cape, at Esther, /
whose face looked very red in the freight; |
1t the shetchbook on the table and then
1t Esther again.
II viii say good night. . said Esther,
Using.
..Ob- hut y hammond Martin stro,1 re !