The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-15
TIE EVENING STORY

Edifh III Doane


man. girl and an automobile whirled
around q sharp curve and went spin
ming along the country road. On and
on they Notwithstanding past rows OF
maple an chestnut trees Haunting
their glory Of new leaves in the soft,
spring misunderstanding down to cross
a little brook that wandered noisily be-
tween clumps of alder bushes-then on
again-with the fresh spring wind rush
ing past their faces and the huge motor
beneath them purring like q gait cat.
Coming suddenly upon a stretch of
level pike, Billy Weston bent over the
lever and let out the machine another
notch Even so able a driver as Billy
could not speed a motor car and at
tend to anything else while he was DO
ing It. so, realizing that he was intent
on the long straight road before him.
Katherine Huston leaned back in her
seat and studied the face beside her
critically
For the past two years-ever since ne
had formed the habit of Ringing his
tempestuous heart at her feet, in season
and out of seasOn-Bi1ly's clean-shaven,
as the page of an open book. But this
was not quite the same Billy from
whom she had parted-uhe book had
appeared, so to speak, in different
edition.
Her mind flew back to that parting
scene-to Billy standing in the middle
Of the floor, big and awkward and alto
gether at her mercy.
But I love you so,'' he had plead ID
humbly. cant you ever care, just
httle?''
No. I never can" she had replied
impatiently, and I'm tired of being
tagged around and gazed at and fused
over all the tine-it's tiresome. I wish
you would go away she had ended
suddenly.
Billy regarded her with miserable. un-
happy eyes. -'Of course, If you feel
like that he said huskily.
Il do" she went on cruelty. IT wish
you would go away so that I needn't
some nice girl who viii like you, and
you viii thank me for being so frank
with you," she had ended, magnani-
mously.
That had been six months ago, and
now she was speeding to Mrs Mon
tieth's May party in Billy's motor-a
situation of Mrs. Montieth's own de-
vision. Il have asked Billy to pick
you up on his way, rem embering what
great friends you two are" the note
had said.
They breasted a long slope winding
upward between ranks of naples and
silver birches and slowed down to de-
scend a bit of steep, twisting road The
'chug chug" Of the motor grew faint
er.
Billy" said Miss Huston. you have
changed
Yes said Billy
Have you found that nice girl I
predicted for you?''
Billy flushed.
YES" he said
A sudden sense Of desolation envel-
oped Miss Huston. She drew her
wraps more closely about her It
seemed as If without warning the
clouds had swept across the smiling
landscape and blotted out the warm
spring sunshine. Billy she had al
ways felt sure of Billy. Then in a flash
she understood.
Tell me about her." she demanded,
leaning back in her seat and regarding
him with amused, tolerant eyes.
Jealous.
She had read a story like it once!
About man who told the girl who
had refused to marry him an inagi-
nary tale OF his engagement to another
girl. Whereupon girl number one had
burst into tears and promptly thrown
herself into the mans arms Well
Billy would find that she would not
throw herself into his arms. She
would play up to him. Afterwards
well, she might relent afterwards-she
had come to regard Billy differently
during the past six months.
Billy''-her voice was reproachfuI
aren't you going to tell me about
her?''
II would if I knew how" said Billy.
rs she pretty?''
She's beautiful
Light or dark 20
Billy turned a radiant face to his
companion. Her hair is dark-as
dark as yours" he said.
Miss Huston smiled tolerantly. He
was too honest-too transparent to
play so delicate a game
She opened her eyes on him under
her heavy motor veil. "Of course YOU
love her very dearly" she said lightly.
To her chagrin a hot flush dyed her
face from brow to chin.
Billy drew a tense breath
Love heri I can not talk about it
it's like saying my prayers" he said
reverently.
Miss Huston leaned back in her seat.
/ Why had she never realized before how
lovable Billy was.
They sat in silence=their thoughts
4 keeping time to the monOtonous beat
4 of the motor as the car swung smooth
/ ~ along the hard road. Billy spoke
first.
"she will be at Mrs Monteith's," he
said, half shyly.
OF course she would. If the motor
continued to tear along at its present
rate and they didn't land in a heap at
the foot Of one of the steep hills, sh q
would be there in about half an hour
i Dear, clumsy Billy! She had half a
mind to tell him that she understood.
HIS next move was more skilful.
I'm mighty grateful to you for put
ting me on the right track" he went
on reminiscently. IF it hadn't been
/ for you
''Great Scott." he broke off. What
a fool I used to make Of myself.
/ don't wonder you had no use for me-
That he should refer to the past SO
lightly, piqued her He needed to be
| taken down a little.
why bother about the past when
you are sure of the present ?" she fash
ed back.
/ full, smiling self again
"Only I was no end of a fool and
rye always felt that I wanted to apol-
/ ogize to you for ranting around as
did. Though It was real enough to me
at least thought SO then-and was