The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-09
ATRUJY HERO.

Martha Chester invited Isobel and
Jean and Mary Arthur TO the saturday
matinee. Mrs. Chester chaperoned
them and they sat in the very front
box and had a gorgeously beautiful
time.
The play was fine. the heroine was
lovely. but the hero was the most won
derfui person any of the four had ever
set eyes upon. He was very tail ana
straight and had a beautiful mop OF
yellow hair, which. on great occasions,
he shook back with terrific energy.
Mrs. Chester thought he looked as u
he didn't know very much, but the
girls said that was sacrilege and only
grown-up prejudice. and all declared
they were madly jealous of the hero
inc.
When the play was over they went
to the Palm Room and had all sorts
of goodies to eat, after which Ihey
took the car home, most happy and in
debted to Martha and her mother Tor
the great treat.
Jean and Isobel had a deal to talk
over concerning the play and its nero
for some time after that. They even
acted over several scenes in Isobefs
room and wondered very much what
the hero was like off the stage.
Frost and cold and snow came early,
and Mr.. Strickland soon received a no
tice to the effect that the skating club,
of which. he was a member, was
opened for the winter season he
Fturned the card over to Isobel and
told her to enjoy. herself.
1sobe1- promptly repaired to the club
alone, for no one seemed able to go
with her that afternoon. The skating
pond consisted of several vacant city
lots nearly a block in extent. The
space was fenced in and hedged with
evergreens and in one corner sat tiny
club house where members kept their
skates, warmed themselves and drank
hot drinks.
IsobeI skated for little while and
then sat down on d bench near the
house to rest. What was her astOniSh-
ment to see the hero come striding
I into the club. enter the house, put on
/ his skates and take to the ice.
She was so limp with establishment
that she sat quietly and watched him.
All around her people were buzzing,
/ That's Nj. the actor. Yes,
| it is I saw him the other night.
/ 1t was he without doubt and he
was a very good skater and almost as
/ handsome off the stage as on.
/ Wild with excitement, Isobel burst
into school next morning and told the
| great news;
'.A=ld you've all got to come down
cause they say he's going to come
There was a general rejoicing. then
Jean said sadly:
sOh, but 1 can't skate decently and
/ I mustn't spoil the fun for the rest of
Nonsense" replied Martha vigor-
ously well hold you up."
They were on the ice soon after
luncheon. but their hearts sunk when
minute after minute passed and the
! hero did not arrive.
They helped Jean around the pond
several times, and she was beginning
! to get some strength and courage.
Then her ankles grew tired. so she
begged to sit down. while the others
had good swift skate
Away they went. around and around
( the pond. Jean 6Ot rested soon. and
quite brave. Rising 10 her feet. she
made a few gentle strokes. She stayed
1 close to the railing for awhile, then,
growing bolder moved over toward
the clubhouse.
All of a sudden her feet all went in
/ the wrong direction. and the next
thing she knew she went plump on the
ice She started to get up, only 10 take
another slide and another tumble The
girls were in the farthest corner of
] the pond and didn't see her. 1t was
getting Embarrassing. Then kind
voice behind her said:
"Can I help you ," and two strong
| arms set her securely upright
I Looking up to thank her rescuer, she
gazed straight into the face of the
hero.
she was so confused that her feet
both slipped from under her and she
/ would have gone down again. but tina t
the strong arms caught her quickly,
and this time held OH until they had
seated her safely on a bench.
The girls came hocking quickly over
to her. alive with excitement. Jean
had been a heroine, The hero smiled,
raised his hat and skated away leaving
the little crowd to buzz and enjoy the
+ sensation.
WASH it kind p isn't he a dear?''
Jean. think of being rescued by the
hero"
! And lean smiled happily
Yes" she said. "and he was laugh
ing at me ali the time the way Uncle
Francis does when I do crazy things.
I suppose he thinks were a lot of silly
ba hiesIs'
wen. perhaps that's what we are. .
admitted Isobel
Inst Sea Nonsense