The Topeka state journal., 1906-02-17
THE EVENING STORY
Pro Bono Puhlico.

10y L L11AA koA SEts
The new minister had been a. Rox-
Vile three months, and already the
llursuay evening attendance had more
than doubled, and there We're premoNi-
lions that several presumptive engage
ments would not come off And vet
Burke Ellison was not a ladies' man In
any sense of the word. He was fresh
from his theological course, difndents
earnest, and with his heart in the up
building of this. his first church, and
his abilities We're Of so commonplace
an order as to seem brilliant only in al
cut-country village like Roxville.
Ihis Thursday evening the attend
ance was unusually large and among
the twenty or more girls there were
nearly half as many boys, red, embaf-
raised, and waiting impatiently for the
close of the service.
AS they filed out, Carrie Morse the
organist, paused at the door for a leis-
urely buttontng of her gloves. A hand
IOuched her arm Suggestively, but she
nnshed the buttoning calmly. Then she
said, without turning. NO sam, not to-
night. I'm going to walk with Alice.
we've got things to talk about Come"
to girl who was standing with a
young man just inside.
All right, I'm ready. No" to her
companion, you can't walk home with
me this evening, Tom. It's such q
short way, and Carrie and want to
be together"
AS they went down the path a third
whose arm half rose in inefectual pro-
test. The girl was giggling.
Il guess Ill walk with you. girls,
she cried. We've just got to cold
shoulder those boys a little, or they'll
begin to think they own US; and L
we don't want their company that way.
But isn't he sweet?"
Lovely" Carrie answered. She re-
garded the newcomer through the cor
ners of her eyes. Funny" she com
mented, you've been keeping company
with John two years"
That's just the trouble" the girl
giggledi ''it's getting too settled. But
you've been going with Sam most as
long. Carrie, and folks do say-oh,
You needn't laugh, Alice. You and Tom
are pretty much in the same boat But
never mind: you're both like me, and
feel it's getting too settled The boys
need little-little more uncertainty
There never was anything between
Sam and me- said Carrie shortly.
Were just friends"
That's what Tom and I are" de-
clared Alice. It's silly the way folks
talk. What are you snickering about
"Oh, nothing" giggled the third
girl: "Only 1 was sort of wondering If
twas him Then. fnconsequently
Hes coming over to my house Thurs
day He asked if 1t would be conven-
lent when I came in this evening"
That's because you're a, committee
on the Easter decorations" observed
Carrie, indiferently. land his head is
full of that just now. He spent all last
evening at my house"
Because you're the organist. and
he's trying to improve the music said
Alice Land knows there room
enough. I'm going to have him in to
supper Friday, just as friend"
There were some minutes Of silence,
during which the girls walked on, sew
eraI feet apart; then they came to-
gether again, giggling.
Just behind them was a neatly clad
figure. alone. At first this girl had paid
no attention to the conversation in
front; then, as the tones grew more in
sistent and she understood, she fell be-
hind, her face growing thoughtful.
Three young men pushed by her, in
dignant, and yet evidently afraid to ad-
vance, for they only went on a few
steps, and then slackened their pace.
Il tell you boys, I won't stand this
thing much longer she heard one of
them declare, hotly. This makes two
I've been turned down. and
I thought everything was all right.
and I've been on the lookout for
house OF course. wouldn't say this
to pOlogetically and lowering
his voice, though not so low but the
girl behind was obliged to hear-''but
you two are being treated in the same
way. What's the matter. do you think
him %
mo. Just girls foolishness." an
swered one of his companions. ''EIli-
son isn't a Norman, and besides every
body can see that he doesn't care for
the girls. He's afraid of them 7 guess
ours are only trying to see how much
strain we Will bear"
'Um! Maybe you're right''-doubt-
fully-"but fell as though I ought to
be pinning the thing down somewhere
and starting row If only he wasn't
quite $3.50 absolutely unconscfous-''
The girl fell back still farther beyond
any possibility Of hearing; then there
came a quick, firm step behind her,
''TIow fortunate. Miss Jessie. I was
afraid I might not be able to catch up
with you. I wanted"
ITO see me about the new carpet?''
she anticipated.
I beg your pardon. I was not to al
lude to it again until after you finished
schooling. One forgets so easily. I
hope they are all well at homer"
She did not answer for some mo-
ments. When she looked up a tremu-
lous smile was playing about her lips,
but her eyes were clear and steady.
ct withdraw what I told you that
answer you request as you wish; and
and you may announce the engagement
at once"
He stopped short. his face joyous.
but incredulous. Then he caught her
hands.
''Why. II don't understand it, Jes-
sie." he stammered. What does it
mean? There was no intimation of it
in your eyes or voice when I spoke to
YOU this evening. How came you to
to change so suddeHly?"
For the public good. nerhaDs.' she
replied. though tfullv. ''But never mind:
YOU would not understand. Maybe 7
viii tell you some time. Now you may
walk home with nee fCopyright |
1906, by K. A. Whitehead.)
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.