The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-17
TIE EVENING STORY
Kitty's Kisses.
" Epes w. sargen

&4A4Ss
You are impolite," she scoIded. Il
am sure You might know that I would
not do anything wrong. II I want to
sell kisses for a dollar apiece. I don't
see why you should object. You have
not established a monopoly-yet.
I don't know that I am particularly
anxious to-" he said coldly. what
nrst attracted me to you was the fact
that in spite of your popularitv not >
breath of scandal had ever touched YOU.
NOW you purpose selling your caresses
at a dollar each for the St Marks fund
and you are surprised that should OBJ
Because you should know me wen
enough to be assured that 1 would not
do such a thing unless I was satisfied
that 1t was proper"
There may be a divergence of opin-
Ion as to the propriety,' he said. Il
must insist, Or
Il guess it might as well be- or .
she laughed. When you assume such
a tragic pose it shows that you are In
need OF a lesson
She held out the ring and without a
word he took it and left the room.
Before he had descended the steps
Preston was minded to go back and
apologize. but he felt sure that the
breaking of the engagement would be
a sharper lesson than any argument
Somehow he did not fare well when he
argued with Kitty She never lost her
temper and this always put him at
disadvantage.
The announcement that Katherine
Ellicott was to sell her kisses at the St.
Marks fair had its intended effect
Kitty was the undisputed belle of her
circle, and more than one unfortunate
swain wondered why she did not de-
mand at least IS. There were many
who thought it would be we'll worth
more than that to kiss Kitty
The fact that it was rumcred that
Thurman Preston had broken his en-
gagement because Kitty had refused to
withdraw her offer added to the interest
and long before the fair was opened
Kitty's kisses were the talk of the town.
Thurman had not meant to attend,
but somehow he could not stay away
For one thing there was always the
hope that Kitty might repent even at
the eleventh hour, but Preston knew
Kitty too well to believe that she would
give up now.
He was one of the first TO put in an
appearance, and as he entered almost
his first. glance fell upon curtained
recess over the entrance to which was
a sign reading:
KISS. BUT DON'T TELL.
It was bad enough to think of Kitty
kissing all who were willing to pay a
dollar. but that curtained room was
the last straw. He stationed himself
DCSAdC AAC O1ONn anu presently nifty
appeared:
You don't mean to say that you are
going to be my first customer" she
gasped. THAT would spoil it all. I
shant let you in yet
Il have no desire, to patronize this
feature he said Jelly. My aid shall
be given in a more seemly manner
Mrs. MeEwan has charge of the
booth where bachelor luxuries are set
forth. There are some stunning sofa
cushions and smoking jackets. Do you
know her, or shall I introduce you ?"
Il have sent in check - he said.
IF 1 annoy you here I shall be glad to
take my departure"
He moved on, but it was hard to keep
away from the spot. and presently he
found himself in the vicinity of the
booth again.
In the meantime a crowd had gath
cred and each seemed to be waiting
Sheepishly for some one to break the
ice. 1t was several minutes before Tom
Meeker paid his dollar and passed
through the curtains to an accompani-
ment of advice from those less bold.
There was a. strained silence for mo-
nent. then a mans laugh and a second
later Meeker appeared
Did you get it, Tom p demanded
some one.
Il can prove it to you" he laughed,
"only 1 promised not to tell. Better go
in and see for yourself
Inc inquirer Dd1u QOildl dilS
went in, and presently they were crowd
ing about the booth. Preston moved
away He could not stand there and
see the men crowding up to pay for the
privilege of kissing the girl he loved,
and he realized, for the first time, now.
that he still did love Kitty and that she
was breaking his heart.
Several times he sought. to leave, but
each time som ething held him back,
and he made his dismal rounds of the
= Ii inc a
STALL now rousing himself with a start
to realize that he had drifted back to
the vicinity of the booth.
He knew that he was the subject of
almost as much comment as was Kitty
herself, and he resented the remarks
he knew were being made, but he could
not leave nor could he gain the cour-
age to approach the booth
It was not until well toward the close
of the evening that Tom Meeker ran
across him. HAD your kiss YETI he
demanded. Say. it's great. isn't it?"
81 have no desire to purchase ca
resses," said Preston stiff1y-
you can't afford to miss this" he
said TN stand treat Come on"
Preston resisted, but Meeker was q
giant in strength, and fairly dragged
him across the hall to the booth The
crowd had dropped away. for most OF
the visitors had paid their dollar, but
there were still a number about as
Meeker came up with his victim
Thur. Preston's going to get his,
he announced cheerfully. He says
he's opposed to kissing, but I'm going
to stand treatY He threw dollar on
the table and pushed Preston through
the curtains.
kitty greeted him with a smile.
Come for your kiss ?" she asked
brislly. It thought you couldn't stay
Il had no desire to come" he said.
severely. THAT young fool Meeker
insisted upon making an ass of him
self by forcing my presence
Now that's too bad that you should
be compelled to let another man pay
for your kiss she laughed Il had
hoped that I would get a dollar from
you
Preston regarded her curiously. She
had caught UP tiny jar and was rub
bling some red paste upon her lips
..EIou VIII Won have Xours?" she de-