The Topeka state journal., 1905-05-24
TIE EVENING STORY



It was an evening in June-the kind
that makes a man feel 81 and senti-
nentai-the kind that makes him
nope that heaven viii be long way
on and yet makes him feel that it's
very near. I was taking solitary
ramble IN the woods, deep in reverie,
and lazily calling up the dead past,
wnen the parting of some shrubbery
brought to view the figure of girl.
She was seated on the bank OF the
creek, her hands lying idly in her lap,
and her face turned from me- Her
attitude was one Of repose-
All, thought I to myself, she IS
probably waiting for her lover. Her
parents are no doubt Cruel, and she
has to steal away tossee her loved one.
1 shall wait to see what happens
settled myself for a short vigil,
but as the minutes dragged slowly py
became very weary. dared not
smoke for fear Of attracting her at
tention. She betrayed no agitation.
but after ten minutes had passed /
became very indignant at the tardy
lover. The sight of that loyal, true
heartsd girl waiting so patiently for
some wretch (for I had no doubt by
this time that he vas Wrotch) made
all my boyish passions rise in me once
more, and I felt quite young enough
to knock the fellow down when he
should appear, tell him what thought
of him, and carry the girl away with
me. (I'm a married man, and have
three cl1ildren.)
Fifteen enthusiastically minutes. 7
drew out my knife. opened It, and
felt the edge. Then I put il back in
my pocket. But, I argued, It would
be a blessing to kill this villain, vino
had stolen her affections. and Save
Her from Herself. I fairly burned to
lay hold Of him.
Then I began to observe her more
closely. No, her attitude could hardly
be called one of Waittng-poSSib}y IL
was one Of Despair. The more con-
sidered that idea, the better I liked It.
In that case, all I had to do was TO
comfort her.
If I could only catch a glimpse of her
facet But even as was longing for
this she turned her head-not enough
TO see me, but so that had splendid
view of her features. My first thought
was of her great womanly eourage-nO
tears were rolling down her cheeks, her
face showed no pronounced signs OF
anguish, and my conscience rebuk-
ed my imagination for the pathetic look
1 discerned IN her eyes. CAS- yet I was
some distance from herr. Women .
tears frighten me but when saw none
on that placid physiognOmy, I became
bolder and quietly advanced, stopping
again a few yards from where she sat.
Suddenly my heart gave a great
leap. I had not lived in vain. Even my
conscience approved what I saw. Great
tears gathered in her eyes, her lips
frembied, ner whole race tWltched, ana
unable longer to control herself. she
buried her face in her hands. Now was
my time My heart was beating. /
hurried forward leaned over her. laid
my hand gently on her bent head, and
softly said: Il can still hear the pity
throbbing in my tones) Little girl you
are in trouble. Tell me-tell me what
I can do to help you. Anything. be-
lieve me. that is in my power I shall
be glad to do. Confide in me, little one
What troubles your"
She looked up with big, startled eyes,
and replied, tfmidly, Why, nothin',
JUS came pret' near sneezin'.".
1t was still an evening in June l
turned my steps homeward where my
wife and three children were waiting
for me. The frogs were beginning to
croak. IAIOGEN TRACY.
Topeka, Kansas.