The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-01
The EVENING STORY
Ticketed to Afatrilnony.

T1cketed to NIatriInony.
I'm sorry joked about the little
poem he pleaded contritely. Make
up, and I'll never say anything like
that again.
You will not have the opportunity,
Jimmy Garrison she scolded. Take
back your ring, and I'm never going
| to speak to you again.
81 say" he cried, don't take it like
that. You'll have to speak to me
again."
''Never!" she retorted firmly. IF I
Take back the ring" urged Jimmy
| before she could finish.
YES" Grace Burton assented. If
ever speak tie you again I'll take pack
| the ring
Jimmy looked at her ruefully as she
| turned away.
But the next day there seemed small
chance of an early reconciliation. for 1t
was announced that Grace was to
spend the winter with an aunt in Los
Angeles and was to start in a few
days. 1t was rather short notice. but
Mr.. Burton had been suddenly called
to Europe, and he could not take both
| Mrs. Burton and Grace.
Secretly Grace was sorry that she
| had permitted herself to become so
angry over Jinny's jokes about her
| little poem which the local paper mao
printed, but she was stubborn, ana
amer d ll11d1 appeal SACA0OA
fate and announced that he would
| leave that night for Chicago.
Apparently he went further afield
| than that, for a few mornings later the
| Overland rolled into Omaha, and there
| was Jimmy on the station platform
waiting to take passage. Grace gasp
| ed as the porter ushered him into a
section few numbers ahead OF heI
| own, but to outward appearance she
was absolutely ignorant of his pres
ence.
| She fidgeted about uneasily through
| the 20 minutes wal tin the station
| while he regarded her with the uncon-
Germ of a stranger, and she was glad
and he had gone forward to the smok-
er.
| He was back presently, though, and
| was in his section when the new con-
| ductor came through. Jimmy prompt
| ly handed up his ticket, but there was
! some delay when Grace surrendered
| the check for her transportation, given
| to the conductor overnight.
You had a pass, didn't you?" asked
! the conductor as he glanced at the
number on her check and selected an
envelope from the package he carried
Can you identify yourself?''
| She glanced through her pocketbook
but there was nothing which could
serve to identify her. and through some
| mischance she had not signed the tick
ct, as she should nave done, when II
had been given to her.
| UNLESS you can show some identih-
| cation / shall have to collect a casf
| fare" the conductor said sharply, no.
| ticing her helplessness.
| ''I can't she stammered. 81 have
not that much money with me-"
your" Clearly he was growing suspi'
cious Grace was desperate.
"That gentleman up front knows
me- she said slowly, indicating
Jimmy. The conductor went for
ward and she watched him curiously
It was odd that Jimmy, who had evi
IDENTIFY taken this train to tease her
was to be of some real service to he1
| instead.
But somehow the conductors face
did not express satisfaction as ne
came back down the aisle.
| ST suppose you are convlncec
now" said Grace, with a confidence
she did not feel, as he stopped at hel
seat.
ssHe says he knows the real Miss
Burton said the conductor, eying hel
There was an odd little gasp Of
anger as Miss Burton sprang to hel
feet and unsteadily made her wal
ing. Jimmy Garrison she demand
ed. "do you mean to tell this CON
ductor that you don't know me?"
Never said it." said Jimmy calmly
He asked me II L Coulu lueutiIy MIS-
Burton, and I said knew Miss Bur
ton"
"Well?" she said in a puzzled tone
| Possibly" explained Jimmy bland
ly, che might have gathered from m,
tone that I did not see Miss Burtor
on the car.
you mean" she corrected. "tha
you wanted to make me ask you tt
identity me-"
! yes" said Jimmy solemnly. offer
ing a ring. ''I thought you Nigh
speak to me-"
For the first time it flashed upon hel
what business had drawn Jimmy
west, and while he was assuring the
conductor that she was Miss Burton
she few back to her seat and sat there
| with flaming cheeks Jimmy folioWee
her as soon as he had disposed of the
sweetheart" he said tenderly, 81
was a mean trick to play, but knew
simply had to make you speak before
you got out to Los Angeles, ana as my
sion / got him to order the pass watch
ed for
manded.
gave US his blessing" Jimmy explain
ed. "He helped me out by telegraph
ling when you left home
9.F,vervbody is scheming agains
me- she cried as she buried her fac
in her hands in an agony of wounded
ssI release you from your promise,
he said shamefully. 81 won't win yol
by bullying
war" she quoted, smiling through
iiei GEORGE HEMINGWAY.
| fe-onvrieht. 1905, by T. G. Mcclure.