The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-30
TIE EVENING STORY
John j., Foreer.
by Grace charlss.9

fam to marry should be content with
my statement that there was a good
reason
Unfortunately she is not said
Marion, as she laid the ring on his
desk. I cared enough about the mat
ter to come 10 your office to see you
about it. Since you want to be indie
pendent. I give you back your entire
independence"
His face white with anger. Gordon
| threw open the door and stood there as
she passed through to the next room.
Over in the corner John J. was busy
with the mail, but he looked up with a
grin on his freclzled face to smile upon
her as she went out. John J. approved
of Marion.
Gordon went back to his desk. The
golden circlet lying there was too much
for his composure, and with a groan
he threw his arms forward on the desk
and buried his head upon them.
It had all been very silly, and yet
very tragic lie had meant to write
Marion that there was a meeting of
the promoters of the L. & F. railroad,
and that he would have to be present
to furnish them with estimates If he
hoped to get the contract. If he could
| land that order his success would be
assured and In the prospect OF WIN
ming out he had forgotten to write.
They were both high-strung. and
when in the morning she had demand
ed an explanation Of his broken en-
gagement without having waited for
him to call her up on the telephone. he
had angrily refused to offer any cS-
PLANTATION or apology, and when she
had come to his Office they were both
too angry to arrive at an understand
ing.
Gordon was reused by touch on
the shoulder. He sprang nervously
up, to confront John ].
why don't you go home?" he
Numbered. 1.-The Office should have
been closed half an hour ago!''
I'm going now" explained John J.
with unusual meelxness. "But you
oughter go UP and see Miss Marion
and tell her you're sorry.
Gordon grasped John J. by the
shoulders and propelled him into the
outer office, while that youngster in
sisted that he would be sorry in the
morning, if not just then. The en-
counter had at least served to rouse
Gordon. and he went up town to the
club to spend a miserable evening
trying to pretend to himself that he
did not care about the broken en-
gagement.
John Us you'll be sorry in the
morning if you amt now" was pro-
phetic. Dick moped over his desk all
the morning, unable to do any work.
A dozen times he reached for the tele-
phone to call Marion up and ask her
forgiveness, and each time he set it
irresolutely down again, declaring to
himself that Marion should have
known that he had a good excuse, and
I that she should have waited until he
could call her up. 1t was on her
account as we'll as his own that he
was worried about that contract, and
if she could not realize that q half
mentioned engagement might have
slipped his mind in the pressure of
more important matters, that was her
fault, not his.
Half dozen times during the
morning John J. stole into the room
to remind him that those figures for
the L. & F. had to be sent out that
sn7-- IL -
a torrent of rebuke. Then he put on
| his hat and went out OF the Office,
though his lunch hour was not until
! 1 o'clock.
He knew where Marion lived and
the statement that he had a message
for her was enough to get him past
the door. Presently the butler came
back, wearing solemn frown.
Miss Darling does not care to re-
| ceive the message" he said.
You tell her want to see her my
sell announced John ].
For moment the butler hesitated.
and through that hesitation was lost.
Somehow John J. usually got what
he wanted. and he was the only per-
son not surprised when Marion sent
down word that she would see him.
7 want to tell you about Mr.. Cor
/ don, he began, as the butler closed the
door. Say, he's awful about the
| place. He can't do any work and he
/ can't keep his hands off the telephone.
If he don't quiet down and write those
railroad people he's going to lose the
| chance Of his life
why do you come to me?'' she
asked coldly. IT have nothing to do
! with the matter"
"Quit your kiddiF'" Urged John J.
Il heard you yesterday. You didn't
speak loud, but your words came
/ through the partition like they was
| bullets. You threw him because for
got to bring you letter yesterday. It's
| all my fault for forgetting to bring up
the letter."
do you mean that he sent me a let
| ter explaining that he would not call
last night?"
Sure was the easy reply, as John
J. dug in one of his pockets. He was
! in hurry and took it on the machine
/ for him. Just tell him you're sorry
over the telephone SOS he can go to
Marion tore upon the letter. Dear
/ FRIEND, it ran, Il am sorry I can't
come to see you tonight, but there's
/ some guys I must see about that rail-
road matter and l can't come. I'm
sorry, but you see this is awfully inn
/ pOrtant and / know you won't mind.
| Don't dance with any of the other fell
! lows I'm sorry can't come Yours
till DEATH"
It was signed with his full name and
| Marion's eyes twinkled as she read
/ it over. John J. watched her anxious
/ ~. As the smile came over her face
/ his own assumed a look of satisfaction,
and as she replaced the sheet in its
envelope he sprang forward.
Does it go2" he demanded. will
1 you. telephone him %
1T goes she smiled as she crossed
the room where the telephone stood
i He followed her across.
Don't give me away" he pleaded
hearsely. Don't let on that forgot to
give you the note
s'I WON'T she assured. as she raised
/ the receiver from the hook.
With instructive pOliteness he crossed
the room and pretended to look out Of
/ but the sharp ears would listen, and
when she called to him he knew that
it was ali right and that the important
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