The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-02
TIE EVENING STOR Y
who was FOOLED?
[By Mabel Allehaels.1


years. What would she think when she
received q local letter IN the well re-
membered handwriting?
In his minds eye he could see her
eagerly tearing open the letter IN the
postonice- He would be outside to yell
April fool." Miss Allen always stopped
for her mail on her way TO school.
There could be. no possible chance Of q
slip up If he 1nailea the letter Sunday.
He had been lc5lSing in Hugh's desk
for some fish hooks when ne had run
across the envelope. carefully tucked
away in the bottom Of the drawer.
There had been a time when he had car
ried a lot of the self same sort of let
terts to the teacher. but that had been
before Hugh began to talk about the
Philippines as place for young men
to grow Up with the country.
All day Sunday Billy grinned over his
anticipated joke and Monday morning
he entirely ignored the flannel cakes
that he might be certain to be at the
postoffice In time, and went off leav
his failing appetite. Usually Billy pre-
ferred flannel cakes to promptness at
school.
He had not long to wait, for present
ly Mia Allen came Driskly along and
entered the postofice. AS she turned
hand only long blue envelope and a
newspaper. He thought regretfully Of
the flannel cakes as he realized that his
April Fool had miscarried, and turned
and followed Miss Allen down the
street.
There were the usual pranks played IN
the school yard, but Billy, always the
leader in all mischief, stood apart and
wondered. He was certain that he had
stamped the letter properly, and any
RFr do given the
letter to her and collected the money
had the stamp fallen off 1t was some
thing he could not understand, though
he puzzled his brain until the last bell
rang and he slipped into his seat just IN
time.
Some one must have been playing
jokes on the teacher, for her eyes snap
ped and about her mouth there played
a smile that made Billy want to mug
her Even when Ned Matthews sought
to pick up a reader only to have II
jerked from beneath his grasp by a
bit of thread, Miss Allen only looked
the other way and tapped with her
PENCIL on the desk, though surely at
stration would have been as patent TO
her as to the class.
During the lunch hour Billy's nys-
tihcation was further increased. for
stopping at the postofice, he asked for
mail for Miss Allen. She was expect
ing two letters this morning and she
only got one," he explained to Mr..
Meade.
GO on with your April fool jokes, .
he laughed good naturedly. She got
two letters this morning.
Billy knew better, but there was no
use asking questions. He had seen her
come out with just the one big en-
velOpe and that was from the school
committee. The other was not under
the big one, for he had pretended to
drop his cap as an excuse to look al
the under side and there had been
nothing hidden beneath.
But If Billy had hung about the
school room instead of pursuing his IN
vestigations at the postoff1ce he would
have seen that Mr.. Meade was right
for on teachers desk was the envelope
he had dropped into the box and for
the tenth time teacher, with glowing
cheeks was reading the note.
IT have not the courage to speak" il
ran, tbut am coming back Monday on
the fOur-thirty-eigh If your answer
is yes will you meet me at the train
If you are not there I shall know the
answer is no but If you can find it In
your heart to love me, dear, please be
there to greet me. The others think
am coming. on the night train and we
shall have a chance to walk home
alone"
The explanation was very simple. She
had slipped the envelope inside of the
folds of the paper as she had received
1t. Somehow she did not want others
to see the precious ntssiye and with
instructive nodesty she had hidden it.
The afternoon dragged unfortunately
for her. Every stroke of the clock,
every stick of the pendulum brought
Hugh nearer to her. and yet the min
utes passed with leaden wings It was
only a ten minute walk to the station,
and she fingered over the composition,
her eyes constantly seeking the slow
ticking watch in front Of her until at
last the minute hand had come almost
to the half hour. She put on her wrap,
and hurried down the street.
Billy, keeping watch at the postoflce,
was spending q weary vigil, but her
road took her in the opposite direction
and he did not know that he was wait
ing in vain.
The train had just whistled as she
reached the platform, and in few min
utes the heavy string Of coaches pulled
into the station yard, the engine pant
! ing like some tired animal.
She looked quickly up and down the
| long line of cars until with a tremen-
dous acceleration of the hearts beat
ings she recognized muffed form
stepping from one OF the sleepers.
'sNftaf'' he cried as she sped toward
him, this is a surprise indeed"
ssDidn't you expect me2" she de-
manded snfnngly- DID you think
could forget so soon?"
Hugh looked puzzled as he fell into
I step and passed Out OF the StdtioA
ssBut no one know was coming" ht
declared. you don't mean to tell me
/ that my advent was anticipated2'
II did not tell a SOUL she said. .
only got your letter this morning
But ] did not write any one, moi
/ even you" was the puzzled declaration
/ Mia laughed
you don't mean to say that you ex-
pect a school teacher with a class like
mine to forget that this is April fool2'
ara orr MI I'M
me all day, and now you want me Il
believe that you did not write me tina
letter. You must have written sons
one else, too, for mine bore the loca
post mark
With a pretty flush she thrust he
hand inside her Jacket and PRESENT.
| withdrew the letter. He glanced at tn
suDerscrfption and smiled.
And this is your answer p he sal
| rarllN- 81 hay