The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-27
The EVENING STORY
A Lucky Hit.
CBy Martha Cobb sanford.)


kicked himself Incidentally, he was
smoking a cigarette and watching the
sunset.
Why, oh. why, had he ever thought
that he needed absolL rest and quiet
that ne didn't want ever to hear ap-
plause again or to look into peoples
faces? A solid week of this coveted
solitude had made him "a sadder and
wiser man" What wouldn't he give
this very moment for something TO
happen?
He jumped up NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
mad happened, something very aggra-
waiting AS he stopped down to PICK
up the little green apple that hao ny
him square on the shoulder, ooyisn
nearby fence.
He threw the apple back over the
fence again and reversed his opinion
on the value of absolute quiet.
The next night the same thing nap
pened. Only this time, when the ap-
pie reused him from his reverie, the
sun had been sometime set ana dark
ness and silence were stealing over the
hill.
"Ill catch that kid this time, he
said. jumping up.
With run and a bound he made the
fence and landed lightly on the other
side face to face with young relloW
almost as tall as himself
We'll. bless my soul!. ne exclalmed.
Il expected to find klo. was coin-
ing over to lick you.
Forget it, returned the youth,
leading the way to seat unoer iux-
urious grape arbor: I've Deen Watcn-
ing you every night. Ihoughl perhaps
you'd like company, SO Threw you an
ssYou struck it, or rather me. just
right Young man I do like company.
What's your name!
Nix
.aThat,s easy to remember"
"Short for Nixon. What's yours?"
'"Vin''
"What?"
eVin-short for Vincent"
ooh. see," and the boy laughed
and slapped his knee.
boarding down at the farm p
yes, and beastly tired of it. You
live here all the year round ??
Good gracious, no! Just staying
brief silence followed in which
Dead sIowl You're the only civilized
man rye seen since got here"
Vincent struck a match and lighted a
cigarette
mo thanks"
TOO young, I s'pose. I contracted
he habit long before I was your age,
no."
"On. 'tisn't that" answered Nix
,arelessly, crossing one well-shaped
eg over the other. But the grand
YOU know. They think it's a
crime"
s"They won't be out here. will they?"
"Oh, no. But 1 have to kiss EN-
I'm their sons only son,
Jou see-the baby of the family.
Vincent laughed heartily at the
Boys tone of disgust.
ANY pretty girls in the neighbour
hood ?" he asked, after puff or two.
you seen any?" returned Nix
mot one-more's the pity"
"You like 'em, tn en?"
..Bet YOUR life. Don't you p.
s"Oh, so so. 1 get on better with fel-1
ows. tho
cent But I must be going Its nearly
bitch dark and I'll lose my way down
o the farm"
Coming up tomorrow night?"
"Sure thing. You won't have to
waste any more green apples on me.
Good night"
One night, week or SO later, IN
which time Vincent and his young
riend had become great chums, the
ormer proposed a fishing trip over
he mountains. but Nixon shook his |
lead Hstlessly.
mo hit. Vim" he replied. Never
10 messed up taking the Tapping
hings off the hook"
Vincent looked at the boys fastid- |
Gus white hands and could hardly |
,lams him.
Vincent. "Come on"
'sNo, thanks. Besides, I've got to go
I'd to town tomorrow afternoon with
"I've a good mind to go myself"
aid Vincent This country life's get
ing on my nerves. What train are you
,oing on?"
aGive it up" answered the boy re-
ienedly. "Grandmother changes her !
mind every five minutes. But youth |
md country life all right after tonight. |
Id man. I'm going to bring my sister |
Jack with me-"
.'Didn't know you had one. Nix. |
hats Jolly What's she lke?''
f'The freshest ever"
"Good! Is she pretty2"
ot to ike it. But bet she does"
Introduce me the yerv first thing ?"
LAS soon as you like"
Then the boy sighed.
whats the matter with you. Nix? ?"
ooh. Just thinking how it will be /
IL over with me after she comes.
an see you falling in love with her
ow. What does it feel like, Vim, to
e in love"
here"
oxen times"
"Honor. 1 haven't. Thought was
ometimes, of course, just as you will,
Tx, when all the girls begin to run
fter you"
s'They never WILL sighed Nix.
Don't you believe it. Girls adore
yes like yours. Are your sisters eyes
aat same wonderful blue, and has she
urIy brown hair like yours?'
"Oh, quit it, Nix replied petulantly,
nd walked off toward the house in the
arkness.
The next night. in order not to seem
20 eager, Vincent let the sun disap-
ear and waited for the young moon
hang up her crescent before he took
is usual way up the hill. He dis
arded the short cut over the fence