The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-07
THE EVENING STORY
Knowing Miss Knowlton.
NV Marshall Leonard

began for him when he came to Lester
to superintend the building of the cleo
trio works, for until then life had been
uneventful and he had not known of
IsAda Knowlton.
Even now he merely knew of her.
for Travers was not a ladies' man. He
was too terribly in earnest to shine IN
society, and though he had been in
seemed as far from his goal as ever.
Every Sunday he went to church and
sat where he could watch the choir
where Ada sang, the stained glass
forming a background for the shapely
golden head. The Reverend Josiah
Rumford watched approvingly the ex-
preston of rapt interest that was
upon Travers's face all through the
sermon. He could not notice that the
keen blue eyes of the young contrac-
tor were upon the choir rather than
upon the pulpit. and he felt gratihed
that he should hold his auditor so
we'll.
So it happened that the Rev. Josiah
stopped at the new factory one morn
ing and extended an invitation to Trav-
ers to join a church picnic the follow
ing week.
planned as Jimmie's hand went down
into his trousers pocket. ct am not
selling tickets. 1t is purely by invita-
ton and only for the members of the
Sunday school, but thought that per-
the young people and get acquainted:
Jimmy hcamed upon the kindly old
man as he thought of Ada knowlton'
and accepted the invitation with an er-
fusiveness that caused the minister 10
wonder at certain comments he had
heard regarding the unsociabll1ty OF
the newcomer.
HE is most cordial" he told his
wife. at am sure that he needs only
to get acquainted to be decided addi-
ton to our little society. I am sorry
that 1 did not look him up earlier"
Travers echoed the same sentiment
as he went about his work. surrey a.
the picnic he should meet Miss knowl-
ton. and meeting Miss Knowlton hao
almost become an obsession with him.
He climbed over the stagings and plat
forms with light heart as he mag
fned the manner in which they should
meet He rather fancied an intro
duction under the trees. He would
advance with barred head and bow low
over her hand. Then she would give
him one of those sunny smiles that al
most seemed to be her habitual ex-
preston, and they would go walking
together in the leafy shade. over and
over he mentally rehearsed this scene
until it became almost real to him.
But at the last moment there came
a complication at the factory and 1t
was after eleven when Travers finally
got away. He lost his way trying to
drive out in a livery buggy, and when
over and the merrymakers hao scat
tered through the woods.
The minister and his wife insisted
that he have something to eat and
then motherly Mrs. Rumford TOOK MIN
in charge and introduced him to every
one in sight-but Ada Knowlton was
nowhere to be seen.
He made himself agreeable to the
others. but his eyes continually sought
a sight of the pink dress and golden
no affTaC
had seen them drive past on their way
to the lake and he had carefully noted
the dress, but not a glimpse or II 'dld
he get until well along in the after
noon.
Here and there the surface of the
lake was dotted with small boats and
canoes. and in one of the latter he saw
the flash of pink that seemed to com
| Knowlton and alone! And she was
! padding in to the landing!
| With assumed carelessness. he di-
rected his steps toward the tiny wharf
to which the boats were tied He
would be on hand to assist her from
| the canoe. and, perhaps. after he had
| introduced himself there might be
chance for the walk. after all.
/ He had just reached the dock and
the frail craft was but twenty yards
away when some one called to the nav
I igator and she turned to respond with
wave Of her paddle. As she did so
the canoe tipped over ana she was
| spilled into the water.
White with horror Travers stripped
off his coat and his low shoes and
dfved into the water. He was splen-
| did swimmer and his heart beat high
as he thought of the opportunity that
had been offered him.
Then something doomed dark above
his head: there was a shock and all
became black. 1t was half an hour
later that Travers opened his eyes
int n wi
toms face bending anxfousfy over him.
His head throbbed with pain and he
was conscious that 1t was done UP in
bandages-
aDon't move" said a gentle voice
you will be all right in a few mo-
ment. You were struck on the head
by the canoe"
"You were the rescued instead of
the rescuer." laughed DR.. Pyfrom.
Miss Knowlton brought you to
shore"
II am so sorry" she said. bending
over .'I was pushing the boat in front
OF me and did not notice that any one
had dfved after me. I should have
been more careful, but I never sup
posed that any one would imagine that
I was in danger"
you see." explained the doctor.
''the lake is only three or four feet
deep, and when we spill out we Just
walk ashore"
and I. like an ass. didn't know
that" murnured Travers- ct only saw
that Miss Know1ton had gone over
board and did not know but what
| she might be in trouble. She seemed
/ TO be struggling"
s4That was my skirt" explained the
| 1tri cit caught in the gunwaIe and I
| had to detach 1T before could And my
at guess that's about explanation
enough" put IN the physician ''I don't
~-art to have you come down with a
NeIe -. tnn of a cut scalp. I guess