The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-28
TIE EVENING STOR T
0Bv Edwin FowIer0

fused to give his consent to Tommy s
engagement to his daughter Alice.
Tommy went out Of the study feel
ing as blue as the enamel on the auto
mobile that painted at the curb, but
Alice took more cheerful view OF the
matter.
I've managed him ever since mother
died and I'll find a way to make him
behave. He didn't tell you not to
come around, did he?"
No" was the terse response. He
told me to come around all I wanted
and help him keep the other fellows
off I'll do that, you bet"
What was his reason p she asked.
Said 1 was too fond of outdoors to
be a good merchant"
is that all ?" she asked in surprise;
I thought from your face it was
something serious She patted him
on the shoulder. Now run along,
she commanded. Il want to have a
chat with father before he can think
it over and get the idea rooted IN his
mind that he doesn't want you In the
family
Tenley went down the steps much
comforted. Ever since they had
known each other, Alice had always
taken the lead and he was content to
follow. He climbed into the auto and
rumbled off with the comfortable feel
ing that all would come we'll
He was not the sort of man who is
content to hold back and let q woman
plan. He was willing to take the in
itiative when necessary, but he knew
that Alice knew her fathers whims
better than he did, and more than
once she had, with her woman's wit.
accomplished more than his bulldog
pertinacity would have gained.
Alice NODDED wisely when he met
her that evening, but he did not ques-
! ton her. He was confident that sh e
had control of the situation, and as
they sped along the road he waited for
! her to speak.
But he was surprised when she sud
denly asked him to take her father out
i in the automobile One of the objec-
lions Mr.. Garvan had urged was his
gentleman should want to ride was
strange.
Alices word was law and the next
afternoon when the Blue Racer drew
away from in front of the Garvan
/ House Mr.. Garvan was established in
4 the tonneau, While Alice, beside Tom
my. saw that he kept down his speed.
| They ran decorOusly along for several
miles until they came to the shore
road, which stretched its level length
for a couple of miles beside the lake.
Want to go fast?" demanded Alice
as she turned to her parent.
rs it safe % he demanded anxiously.
safe. and just lovely" was the as
surance. Put on the speed Tommy
and show papa what automobiling
really means"
1enieX threw over the lever ana
/ presently they were doing about forty
/ miles an hour. There were no inter-
secting roads along the lake and no
traffic, so that Tenley felt safe in let
ting the machine out At the end of
/ the stretch he slowed down and turned
to see what effect the run had had on
the lone passenger in the tonneau.
To his surprise he found the old
man leaning forward. Let US try it
again. he urged. ITS great
Back they few along the broad
road Then they slowed down and
/ headed for home At the door Car
van turned to Tommy:
Il wish you'd drop in this evening
he said. Il want to see you about
something"
Tommy nodded and drove off. A
part of Alice's plot began to unfold.
/ He guessed that the Something was
week later a high power car found a
resting place the Garvan stables and
John Garvan devoted himself to its
study. Within a month he was suf-
fciently expert to be able to handle
| the car himself.
He looked with kindlier feeling to-
ward Tommy who had made known
/ to him this new delight. In his
and much of his objection toward
Tommy had been that he had taken to
the auto instead of to the trotter- Now
! that this objection was removed,
Tommy asked for a rehearing of the
case, but to his surprise there was the
same negative.
TITS just a whim," explained Alice.
''He will come around all right.
But the coming process was slow
and Tommy fretted as he followed the
big red car along the roads In obed-
fence to Alice's commands
Then there came the hot after
noon when they made for the top Of
/ Mount Stephen. Alice with eher field
glass swept the country beneath for
/ half an hour after it was time to start
| back home. Then, with sign of re-
lief she slipped the glasses into their
case and turned to Tommy.
take the wood road back" she
commanded. land you do just as I
say. Will you promise ~
"Don't 1 always?" he parted. How
would 1 dare do otherwise o.
She made a bow. I thank you, :"
she said, demurely. Now, If ever, is
the time to realize that soldiers first
| duty is obedience"
She smiled to herself as they began
to coast slowly down the mountain
and she smiled still more when, as
they struck the level ground, there
came 2 hall.
Just ahead, John Garvan was sit
ting on the steps of his machine snil-
ing hopefully at them. You're just
in time" he cried as they drew up be-
side him. IT have had a break down
ter Isl
"Iil have look offered Tommy
as he prepared to rise Alice laid a
OBTAINING hand upon his arm.
Tommy and I have gone into bust
ness" she announced. as she leaned
back in her seat. " 'Tenley and Gar
van, auto repairers,' is the way our
sign reads
ct suppose I'm on the free list since
I'm in the family" grinned Garvan in
appreciation of the joke. "'I engage
you"
''There is no free list said Alice
positively. TITS pay in advance where
customers are known to US"
Garvan threw his head back and
roared. but he sobered a little when
Tommy made no move to leave his