The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-18
THE EVENING STORY
Thanks to the Meter.
(By James Clegg.>

were displayed three n1ckelS ana a
keenly conscious that there was a
| hole, most comfortable and satisfac-
| tory hole, in the elbow of his smoking
| jacket, Digby held out his own hand,
| unclosing his fingers to display the de-
sired coin.
Did you know what I was coming
after?" she said with laugh. Digby
had never heard her laugh before. IL
was a low ripping laugh, almost as at
tractive as her smile. He wondered
how he could improve his opportunity.
Ever since she had moved in he had
wanted to know the Girl Across the
Hall. Had his mother been home. it
would have been all simpler, but he
had been keeping bachelor hall for
nearly three months.
Did you know L wanted the quar-
ter?' she repeated. Digby pulled him
self together.
81 am a seventh son." he declared
solemnly. 81 know that you want the
quarter. I can see you returning TO
your apartment. 1 can see you climb
ing on a chair and dropping the coin
into the gas meter. l can see the
light growing bright again. Great as
the automatic meter-when you have
a quarter"
yes, when!" she cried. 1.-THE other
day we only had check, and no one
could cash it,
"Say no more" he commanded
tragically. 81 know the rest"
I'm very much obliged she said
gratefully. you are sure you won't
need one?''
Not at ALL" he assured. AS though
to prove him false the gas in his hall
grew dim. IT have more change" he
explained, land it's all right"
He watched her regretfully as she
slipped back into her own apartment
He had planned many brilliant en-
counters in which he would hold her
enthralled by his wit, and they would
live happily ever after Instead he
had never been so dull and perhaps
he had lost his chance.
The gas had gone out as he closed
the door and limoed into the Kitchen
He knew very we'll that it was useless
to search for quarter. He had founu
the one he had just given up only after
a search. He would have to fall back
on candles. There were half dozen
in the dining room, and by lighting
four he managed to read after a
fashion.
But he had scarcely settled himself
to his reading when the doorbell rang
again. He wondered who it might be
now as he made his way down tne
dark hall The Girl Across the Hail
stood there again.
s'You fibbed," she said reproachful-
Iy. You said you had another quar-
ter for yourself. You let me drop
yours in our meter, and we can see
across the shaft that you're using can.
dies"
'I rather like them.'' he assured,
but she would have none of 1T.
You were just going to drop the
coin in your meter" she cried. That
is why you had it in your hand"
In the face of deduction he was
dumb. The girl went on:
at know you can't go downstairs to
get change because you hurt your an
kle. 1t wouldn't be any use, anyway.
It's Sunday and only the drug store is
open and they are all out of quarters.
1 was down there just before asked
you for one. Mother says you must
come in to our fiat and read You may
smoke all you like. We don't mind it
in the least"
II am very comfortable" he pro-
tested 80
The opportunity he had longed for
had come and he was too bashful to
avail himself of it. In the end the
ried her point. Presently he was In
stalled in the pleasant parlor and was
telling motherly, Mrs. Fallows all
about his trials without his mother.
"It must be SO lonesome for you"
she cried. why didn't you come to
US long ago?''
eve wanted to- he admitted
frankly. Sometimes I've seen the
light and I've been so homesick. We
only moved here just before my grand
mothers illness took mother west, and
1 never got acquainted with any one.
All of our friends live on the other
side of town."
I'VE come from the country, where
we are used to being neighborly,'' she
explained. 81 want you to feel that
you are welcome here any time"
There was sincerity in her tones
that brought a genial glow to Dig
by's heart. and the Girl Che knew now
her name was EtheD seconded her
mother with a glance
That night was but the beginning of
a new life for Digby. The following
inc he 6T-0T oh
candy as a return courtesy and was in
vited to spend the evening, SO grad
ually he fell into the habit of dropping
in after dinner. There were trips to
day and even when he had word from
his mother that she had decided to re-
main west for the summer, he did not
offer objection.
The more he was with Ethel, the
more deeply in love he became He |
had never known many women, and |
this charming girl was the first he had |
ever loved. Often he would declare to
himself that he would propose but |
each time his courage failed him.
Then one night came the climax |
The gas began to flicker and burn low |
and Ethel left the room to drop in !
the coin that would turn on the flow |
again. He heard match strike in |
the kitchen, where the gas had not |
been lit, then came an explosion and /
he rushed down the narrow hall.
In some fashion the meter had |
sprung a leak and the lighted match |
had caused the ignition of the gas. |
Ethel her light gown ablaze, came |
blindly toward him. He |
had his coat off before they met and |
threw it about her shoulders. forcing |
her to the carpet that the blaze might |
not be able to gain Roadway toward |
her face. The gas in the apartment |
had been extin guished and he was |
forced to work in the dark, but he |
beat out the flames with his hand and |
then rushed into the kitchen to check
the flow of gas.
II was easy to extinguish the flames
there and shut off the gas at the inlet. !
Then he opened the doors from their
ra,-tr., 70 HI -