The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-06
TIE EVENING STOR r
! Preconcerted Accldent.


forward to meet her. Her delicate face
was alfght with real joy.
"Good!' he echoed, taking her ex-
tended hands and drawing her to him
shrank. back, flushing painfully. Then
smile fiickered across her face and
she disengaged her hands, motioning
him to a seat.
For moment he studied her. For
give me-" he said, ironically. you
kissed me good-by. you remember %
was young, five years ago." she
laughed as she sat down.
He threw himself into q chair op-
pos1te and drew his hand across his
Perhaps we ought to be introduce
ed?'' he suggested, cheerfully.
At this her laugh rang genuine.
Tell me about yourself she COM
He shook his head. Nothing
same old story. But tell me about
yourself There is something know.
/ Went to seek my fortune; you al
ready had yours in your face
She could not meet his eyes. Same
old story" She only attempted to
laugh this time. There's nothing to
tell. There was tremor in her
He studied her face again.
I've got machine out here he
said, rising; come for ride
Sne sprang up with impulsive ac-
quiescence, Then her gray eyes
clouded- "Oh. I CAN'T
But you want to-" he asserted.
es, 1 want to, oh, SO much, butt
have an appointment"
ITS been a long time since you rode
with me. You need change. Let the
other fellow watt
The other fellow-you know.
then ?" w.
Il don't know anything" he grow1-
ed. Get your hat
She obeyed.
AS they went down the broad walk to
the drive an elegant white car chugged
up behind the machine that was wait
Ing for Arthur Boyd. The occupant
jump to the ground before his chauf-
feur had time to bring the car to a
dead stop, and came to meet Boyd and
blond. and dressed with absolute cor
rectness.
Arthur Boyd looked at Naoma. Her
face was changing color.
Is this your appointment"
The blond man, with a faint insinu-
ating smile, was slowly, suavely lifting
his hat. He raised it just high enough
to expose a slight badness, then settled
1t carefully upon his head again.
Mr.. Hampton, Mr.. Boyd.'F Naoma's
self control was perfect now.
Arthur Boyd received an expression
less handshake.
You are ready in good time Eamp-
ton spoke to Naoma in a voice that was
as genteel as his dress. Il just left the
decorator at the house,
These words sent a chill over Boyd.
He drew back a little.
But can't go just now" Naoma's
voice was firm. Something quite urg-
ent has turned up Unexpectedly. You'll
excuse me for a little while?" She
smiled up at Hampton.
I'D excuse her forty times day to
get that smile" thought Arthur Boyd
as he advanced again to her side
But Hampton drew himself up and his
face grew pink. He flashed a, savage
look at Boyd. 1T will be impossible for
the decorator to wait I'm very sorry"
voice. Then he took her arm, with the
air that all was settled.
But Naoma drew back and surveyed
him in frank establishment.
THE decorator can wait better than
than this new appointment. I must asa
you to excuse me-"
The pink in Hampton's face changed
to crimson and he breathed hard.
'0aoma, what is this that's important
enough to interfere with a plan that
was made a week ago? I demand an
explanation"
The girl was angry. Come" she
said to Boyd, and he felt that things
were evened up by the look she gave
the recent recipient of her intimate
smile.
She was trembling a little at Boyd's
side when they chugged away, drown
Ing the noise of the big white car that
was flying in the opposite direction
why did you do it?" he questioned,
after they had gone half mile in
Il wanted to- she replied
Wanted to quarrel with him?"
"Oh, mol" with widening eyes.
4r16 70 rid Wit C.
II hadn't thought about it, She
glanced up at him and he met her puz-
lied expression with an illuminating
ook YES" she said simply, Il did"
There was a long silence. When they
lad passed into a quiet country road,
ae spoke again. Cant you tell me
more about 1t?"
ooh, forgot, didn't you know2''
well, I should say not"
s4Fred-Mr. Hampton-is my fiance.
Jncle's going back to India again, and
you know I can't live in that climate,
md he didn't want to leave me alone,
md so-and so preparations are being
fastened for-for-''
FOR your wedding" Boyd finished.
Then he stopped the machine, fused
,ver the feed tank for a few minutes
md started on again.
They had gone only a few rods when
here was an explosive sound and the
machine stopped short Boyd got out.
CCkG0 0AAQSt IL anu l4AAfNCA CT CT II AItC
md there in a desultory fashion.
Guess we're stuck he remarked, as
lie watched Naomas face keenly. He
eemed satisfied with what he saw
here "Shan we explore this messy
lell while we're waiting for a tow?''
by all means!" She was on the
sround almost before he could help
Ter.
Tent that glorious.' she cried, after
hey had walked a short distance and
he placed her hand on Boyd's shoulder
IS she jumped upon a low, fiat rock.
Ter eyes were just on a level with
lis AS they looked at each other, a |
hadow came over the happiness of her
Expression.
F'Pm afraid rye gotten you into
rouble,'' he suggested
s'Oh, no." she replied YEARLY, wen |
make it up. We fall out periodically" |
..EIas tI,ara ever been q mar, In fl,o |