The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-06
THE EVENING STORY
Rlanchard's Fares.
(By Lillian Whitmark.


What's up" Blanchard smiled
down into Kittys tear-hlled eyes
THE boat she sobbed. at left
me-"
Most discourteous boat" said
happen?'
4 was late" she explained. "They
had just thrown the ropes on and the
horried captain would not tie them up
again, and there's all the girls, and
can't CO.
That's the Sunday school ex-
cursion, isn't it?" he asked. Kitty
Beaver island and I've got a brand
rev dress and Ted had the lunch box
and the house is all shut up because
everybody is on the boat and I've got
to sit on the steps until they come
STOP" inplored Blanchard laugh
ingly. Three more lands and you
will have totaled the worlds unhappi-
ness. Not for millions would I have
YOU sit on the front stoop all this
pleasant day bereft of your family and
friends. This is a serious matter,
Kitty. I think that we shall have to
go after that boat and make the cap
tain apologize. Now you wait here a
little while and see what happens"
He perched the child on dry
goods box on the dock and went or
toward the street. Kitty looked out
over the lake at the departing steam
boat but her tears had dried. There
was something so comforting about
Guy Blanchard. He was so big and
strcng and so kind to little folks. He
would do something; he had said he
would.
Presently she heard a soft coughing
sound and then came Blanchard's
voice in CHEEKY hail. She slipped
from her perch and peered over the
edge of the dock.
There, just below her was Blanch-
and standing in front of a gaily striped
awning that concealed all but the gun
whales of a saucy little power launch.
Jump, kidlets.' he called cheerily.
Don't be afraid. I'll catch you. This
boat for Beaver island and the Sunday
school picnic; fare one kiss; all
aboardl'
Kitty summoned her courage and
made a leap, landing in the strong
arm3 and finding herself transferred to
a wicker arm chair softly cushioned
and delightfully."- shaded by the avn
ilIvitingly open, and Guy was smiling
front.
Now we're off," he announced
briskly. "Shall we catch up with the
steamer or beat them to the landing?"
"You can't get there first in this lit
tie thing she said with a sigh. "Can
you, Guy?"
Sure he declared confidently.
Wen be fishing from the dock when
funny levers and things and the
coughing began again, to rapidly
change to sharp staccato bark. The
high-powered motors ran so smoothly
easily that Kitty did not realize how
fast they were going until she turned
to look back at the dock and found
that it was rapidly dwindling.
-.
That's what we want" he answer
ed over his shoulder. 1--WE shall catch
the Republic in no time at ALL"
''I wish Mabel was here" she said
regretfully. Guys lips set in a
wish even while he knew that had Ma
bel been left behind, too, he could not
have come to the rescue. 1t was only
a lovers quarrel. but for two weeks
it had made him miserable to think of
it. He was too proud to beg when he
was in the right. and he could not tell
from her laughing face that she was
as miserable as he.
Don't you wish Mabel was here?"
demanded Kitty, receiving no reply to
her first remark
Sure" he answered. But she's on
the Republic. What's the use of wish
ing for what you can not have?''
The child lost the meaning of the
wistful tones. you haven't been
around lately" she commented. at
don't like it when you don't come.
Why don't your
Blanchard smiled grimly. How was
this child to understand?
81 have not had the time" he said
evasively. i've an idea" he went on
to change the topic. Suppose you
hide when we go past the steamer.
Then when they get there and find you
waiting for them you can tell them
that you flew like Peter Pam
Kitty clapped her hands at the con-
ceit
"ThatIl be fine" she declared.
How can we do it?"
''Unfasten the awnings on that side !
and let them drop" he explained ut |
will be impossible to see you If you sit |
right in the middle.
Kitty flew to carry out instructions |
and she was just in time, for the |
launch had gained rapidly on the |
steamer, and presently they were slip |
ping past the slow moving excursion |
boat. 1t was still an hours ride to |
the island and the Republic would |
take an hour and half. Kitty was so |
full of her new idea that she forgot |
the earlier conversation, and Blan-
chard gave a sigh of relief when at |
last she was safely landed without |
having pursued her investigation fur
Their He was backing away from the
dock when she called to him. He ran
along side again.
"You forgot your fare" she remind
ed, as her little arms went about his
neck and the full, red lips were laid
against his own.
"I am afraid that 1 am a poor cap
tain to forget to collect my fares" he
laughed. Take care of yourself, kid
lets, and don't fall off the dock 1t
will be half an hour before the boat
gets here"
why don't you stay ?" she demand
ed. mabel will give you some of our
lunch