The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-13
THE EVENING STOR Y
Canning,s Opportunity.

Canning'S Opportunity.
(Leona Thurber in Boston Globe-)
Canning followed the driver over to
the rickety stage, backed against the
station platform.
The only other occupant of the We
hicle was the girl who had sat across
the aisle on the trip down from town.
Canning smiled appreciatively. She
was one of the daintiest little women
he had ever seen and he vowed to him
self that if he went back to town with
out having gained her acquaintance 1t
would be his own fault. 1t would help
| some to know where she was stopping.
/ Drive the lady to her destination
| first" he ordered as he stepped into
the stage. The driver, with a thick
| "All right" banged the door shut and
presently they heard him clambering
unsteadily onto the box and the horses
started off.
| Canning sank back into a corner and
| tried to keep his eyes off the girl, but
with little success Here in the dim
of the stage, she seemed even more
| dainty, more ethereal than in the
train. and he prayed for some happen
| ing that would, in decency, permit him
| to speak.
Opportunity came more quickly than
he expected. for as the time sped the
| girl grew more and more nervous, un.
| til at last she leaned forward.
"Can you tell me how long 1t should
take to reach the Millikens'? % she
asked. ''They wrote that they lived
quite near the station, yet we have
been riding for some time
I'm sorry" he regretted, but I'm
| a stranger here in town, too haven't
the slightest idea of the local geogra-
ply"
said. land I have been wondering il
he is going right. l am SO afraid of
an intoxicated man."
My chum, Jack Deering, said that
| they had moved the station way out
of town in the hope of advancing some
real estate the railroad officials owned.
Perhaps that is why it takes so long,"
he suggested hopefully.
Perhaps that is it," she beamed.
Let us hope for the best, anyway"
But there was little hope soon for
they ratified past a few lights and
struck the country road again, and yet
the driver made no signs of stopping.
Instead he la-ned the horses to quick
er pace and they had to shout to make
themselves heard.
Canning moved over beside the girl
and braced himself SO that the lurching
of the stage should not throw her about
so much, and she smiled gratefully at
his thOughtfulneSS.
They pounded on the front of the We
hic1e in the hope of attracting the at
tention of the driver. They raised their
voices in concert, but to no avail. Can
ming suggested that he drop off the
stage and run beside the wagon, but
she would not listen to this.
you might slip on the muddy road
and be left behind she explained,
land I should be alone with this hor-
rid man. Please stay
Canning thrilled at the request. That
she wanted him was enough. The cir
cumstances did not matter.
They were we'll out in the country
a q X
less pace Then there came a grinding
noise, a shock that threw them against
the front of the vehicle, and the stage
stopped.
girl was not hurt Canning jumped to
the ground. In making turn the.
driver had cut in too closes to a loose
tree, and one of the wheels lay useless
on the road, the stage DOx DelnB nelo
up by the tree.
The driver had jumped down and was
swearing picturesquely but futilely at
the wreck. 81 guess you won't get 10
Peaver Falls tonight" he cried as Can
ming sprang out.
retorted Canning. THE lady wanted
to go to the Millikens' and 1 was bound
for the behring's"
Il thought I'd taken you there" was was
the surprised answer. Il thought TINS
was the straw ride to the Fails
Canning turned to the stage. II think
we shall have to walk to some farm-
house and get a rig" he said. The
driver had a party for the rams ana
had forgotten that he had not set US |
down and taken on the fresh crowd. |
No wonder he paid no attention to the /
noise we made.
with no further concern for the dri-
yer he picked up her suit case and his
own and led the way. He knew that
a short distance back they had passed
a farmhouse and it was an easy mat
ter to engage rig to take them back
to town.
Presently they were ensconced in the
rear seat of a dilapidated carryaH ana
were jogging along the road over winch
they had come.
II don't know how to thank you,
Canning he completed. tom Can
ming You don't have to thank me
Miss He too, paused expectantly.,
: Il am Edith Linton" she said, hold
ing out her hand.
Canning's fingers closed over the tiny
glove. I'm very glad to know you,
be said earnestly But / don't deserve
a lot of credit. L would have had TO
get out of this scrape anyhow. But
misery loves company, you know"
1T wish I could always have such
capable company in my misery, she
smiled. Il
Tom reminded her of the speech and
offered her his company, to be raised
into the seventh heaven by her Yes.
Rocks Thet Are Musical.
The Ringing Rocks" near Potts
town, Pa, have been visited the past
few months by many eminent geolo-
fists in an endeavor to explain the
peculiar properties which cause the
looks to give off musical sounds when