The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-01
TIE EVENING STOR r
When tIle Power stopped.


arms hlled with flowers. It had been
her first visit that spring, and as she
made her way to the road and station
ed herself beside the trolley tracks she
thought OF the difference last year,
when they had to drive out from town
and the only sign of the trolley WAS a
group OF men with funny looking in
struments working along the road.
II was delightful to feel that those
long yellow. cars brought town and
country into such close union, and she
peered down the track for the first
sign OF the approaching car.
She had understood that they ran eV-
cry ten minutes, but after a while she
grew tired and sat on a rock by the
roadway. It must be the very rock
she reflected. on which she and Jack
had sat while they were waiting for the
wagon to come along.
That had been a year ago. Things
had changed since then. There had been
little misunderstanding and Jack had
left town for the west-to forget.
Perhaps-if he were here-she might
well. somehow the arbutus and the
woods seemed to put things in a difsr-
ent light. She had been a. little mean
to Jack Masters It was the first time
she had admitted It. even to herself If
only Jack knew!
So engrossed did she become with her
thoughts that 1t was fully half an hour
before she realized that in alb that tine
direction. She glanced impatiently up
the track 1t was not pleasant to he
alone on a country road with the ghost
of the dead past. All the wishing in
the world would not bring Jack back.
A numbering wagon creaked along and
the driver refined his horses IN before
her.
waiting for the troiey7" he shout
ed. Edna nodded.
Likely to have long wait,' he
chuckled- THE power house is burning
down. Guess they'll be running again
in about six weeks. Glang,'' and the
tired horses resumed their jog with
the driver still chuckling over the joke.
For a moment Edna's heart sank.
It was getting we'll along in the after
noon. She had had a long day in the
woods and now she had to face ten
mile walk to town unless some one
came along who would give her q lift.
In spite of the memories that clustered
about the spot she decided that she
would remain and wait for something
to turn up.
Presently a grocery cart came rat
ting along and Edna hailed the
driver. He refused her proffer of
money and sprang down to help her
to the seat. The sprig of arbutus she
pinned in his buttonhole was q greater
reward than any fee she could give,
and he was sorry when mile beyond
a second wayfarer hailed him asking
for a ride.
AS the man turned at the sound
of the wheels Edna gasped. She had
supposed Jack Masters to be out west
somewhere. yet here he was-or his
Notwithstanding in the muddy road.
do you mind ?" asked the boy
apologetically, as he heard the antici-
pated request. There's room on the
seat for three"
mot at all' said Edna, wondering
if her cheeks were as red as they felt.
The next moment Masters sprang to
the seat.
For the first time he seemed to re-
alize who the second occupant OF the
wagon was. Edna he cried what
are you doing here"
II have been out after Wild flowers.
she explained. 1.-THE day was so
tempting 1 could not stand the city"
Did you go to the old placer he
asked quietly
said 'I guess II was about the old
hill"
''I was out there day before yester-
day. he said. Somehow I felt that
would like to go back to the old
place. You remember that that was
TT is not necessary to be more speci-
hc," said Edna severely. 1T is not
nice to rake up unpleasant memories.
The next moment she was penitent,
and longed to tell him how sorry she
was for all that had occurred, but JACK
was looking out over the fields now,
and he did not catch the CLINT of tears
in her eyes.
He was thinking OF the promise she
had made him when they were gather
ing the arbutus together, and how they
had agreed to gather the arbutus the
next spring as man and wife.
Somehow the memory of it had
brought him back from the cactus and
SO Mains
had felt that he must come back; that
perhaps in the springtime she would
see things with clearer vision. He had
hoped against hope on his long journey
across the continent, and now, at this
unexpected meeting, she had snubbed
him
It was several minutes before he could
command himself, but when he turned
to her again it was with an impassive
face and some comment upon the de-
struction of the power house.
Edna felt hurt. Why should she care
when he seemed to feel so little regret2
Her penitence vanished, and instead
here came an elfin desire to tease.
For moment he seemed hurt at her
aippancy, then he rallied and met her
mood. Beneath his smiles there lay
bleeding heart, but he did not show
his hurt and the indifference reused
Edna to further flights until she was
almost insolent.
He bore with her patiently, but when
at last the boy draw I'D At llG OUT
skirts and announced that he had to
turn off TO his store, Jack sprang to
the ground and caught her in his arms
as she sought to Jump to the ground
his assistance. Just for mo-
ment they shared the fragrance Of the
arbutus that was crushed between |
them. then he released her with a sigh
and fell into step beside her.
II do not need your escort, she pro- |
tested, when it became apparent that |
he intended to walk with her.
You have to pass through a rather |
tough quarter of the town before you /
reach your home" he said quietly. II /
am sorry to have to force my company /
on you, but 1 intend to see you safely 4
home"
Edna thrilled at the quiet authority
Of the tone. She had been rather dis
appointed at the quiet way in which