The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-29
THE EVENING STORY
The Cat and Dog of It.
By Leonard F.rank Adams. !

Il
| By Leonard Frank Adams.)
| BY all the laws and the prophets of
precedent kenworthy should have made
| stormy exit at the height of the quar-
rel In staying on when the final word
had been said and grim silence had sue
ceeded the heated accusations and coun-
ter accusations, he was guilty of an
anti-climax. But Kenworthy was no re-
specter of precedent, and at present 1t
mattered not rap to him whether he
was guilty of an anti-climax or not. He
only knew that he was utterly miserable
and that the fine view he had of Alicia's
back-turned to him with an obvious
ness not to be gainsaid-was In nowise
encouraging.
| He sat in the hammock. his face
study of contradicting emotions. gazing
abstractedly afield and pulling the silky
ears of Rajah, the brindle bullterrier
that lolled beside him. Twice he es-
sayed to speak, but each time as he
raised his eyes and caught sight of that
uncompromising back the words died on
his lips.
At length he looked down at the dog.
A whimsical smile curved his lips and
he looked grfmly toward Alicia, who, to
all intents. was Interested in the distant
landscape.
"Rajah, old boy" he said, addressing
the dog. lit strikes me that women are
getting very unfair these days. They
accuse chap of all sorts of things, and
when he offers to explain, they fly into
fine dudgeon and turn their backs on
him. They give him the maximum
sentence without trial"
He glanced at the girl She was quite
unmoved. The landscape was apparent
ly quite as absorbing as ever. The
back was certainly no whit less I'M
compromising.
worthy went on. ST wanted to explain
it all to her, but she wouldn't listen
At that moment a Persian kitten
came stalking across the lawn. paused
irresolutely beneath the trees, ana
then jumped into Alfcia's lap.
TEDDY. you dear" cried the girl.
stroking the kittens white coat, you
know I wanted to tell you something
about men. didn't your"
Kenworthy pricked up his ears.
Teddy" she went on confidentially,
"all men are horrid-selfsh and hor-
ridi You can't trust any Of them"
Kenworth- smiled at the dog.
Between you and me, Rajah." said
he, ST think the sum and substance OF
the whole matter is Jealousy"
Imagine my being Jealous. Teddy.
said the girl scornfully. Who on
earth would be jealous Oft"
st imagine it's the Bronson girl.
Rajah =" said Kenworthy.
1.-THE Bronson girl goes automobil-
ing quite frequently of late" said the
girl to the kitten. And she's sucn
a horrid little f1irt! She boosted when
every car in town. did think, Teddy
-" She stopped abruptly.
"By jovei it is jealousy!" said Ken
worthy, forgetting to address his re-
marks to the dog.
Didn't I tell you men were horrid,
Teedy?" said Alicia, with much con-
viction.
do you suppose she really cares II
I did take the Bronson girl Tor a
ID y, 110 oC
ale was to come here at four yes
terday afternoon. Teddy" she said.
at was half past five before he came:
I'm glad he found such congenial
company"
"see here. Rajah.'' said Kenworthy.
"the explanation she refused to listen
to shall tell to you"
aren't men clever at explaining,
Teddy?" asked the girl with sarcasm
"You see," Kenworthy went on, pat
ting the dog. at started out in the car
to run over here yesterday afternoon.
When I got to the old Bassett place
there was Jim Culver lying nat on the
ground beneath that runabout of his.
i'm busted says Jim to me, and Miss
Bronson wants to get that 1:52 from
the junction. Think you can get her
over? You'll have to make record
What could fellow do. Ra3ah, old
chap? He couldn't be cad enough to
refuse, now, could he?"
The girl stroked the kitten thought
fully.
'It,s a very clever explanation she
unused.
'aThe worst of it is, Rajah. she won't
believe a word of it," said he gloom
lily.
.Pm almost tempted to believe 1t.
Teddy" said she.
"And IL she does believes it, she won't
be sorry, for the way she treated me"
he went on.
"I'm almost tempted to be sorry" she
"And even If she is sorry. she'll never
care for me the way I've been trying
for the past four years to have her
care" he persisted.
The girl held the kitten at arms
length.
Teddy" she said very softly. TIN
almost tempted to" She stopped,
flushing deeply.
Kenworthy sprang from the ham |
mock with suddenness that precfpi- |
tated Rajah to the ground.
s'Alicia, Alicia" he cried. IT dare you |
to finish that SENTENCED!
The girl dropped the kitten. She
turned to Kenworthy and her eyes met
his bravely.
he repeated.
and I dO-that isl yield to
the TEMPTATION" she said SLOWLY
1907. by M. M. Cunning
ham,
QUAKER REFLECTIONS.
rEron, the PHILADELPHIA Record,1