The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-13
THE EVENING STORY
.sThe Dog-His Day"
(By Troy Allison-)

(By Troy Allison-)
Young Conway jabbed the oars into
the water viciously.
eff can't have what I want" he
said sullenly, "I'll take what 1 can get.
I'll ask her tonight"
Little Miss Pennen held on to the
boat with both hands and gurgled de-
lightedly.
What humble, doglike disposition
is yours. Robert" she said admiring-
ly. I'm sure she will take you. She
has been throwing herself at your
head for six weeks"
THANK heaven women can never
throw straight" he growled sullenly.
Seems to me she has done very
WELL" said Miss Pennell fippantly. IF
you ask her tonight she surely will
have achieved her aim. But 1 can't
say that you look a willing victim.
That growl of yours was perhaps in
accordance with your newly acquired
doglike humility-but one couldn't ex-
actly call II zap of joy. Couldn't you
force one little ecstatic bark. Bobbie.
my child ?" she suggested coaxingly.
II wonder why on earth like you.
I've never been able to understand
he pulled the boat up to the sand bank
and held it while she stepped ashore.
"Am sorry I'm SO unaccountably
fascinating
She shook the wrinkles from her
ruff1ed skirts airily, and started to in
vestigate the one deserted hut that
graced the tiny island of sand and
rushes.
Upon nv soul it's a mystery" He
and followed moodily.
"You have spoiled your lovely meta
phor-dogs have no souls"
''Neither-so some philosopher has
THAT philosopher had probably
just been turned down emphatically
by the lady he wrote about. But cen
tho soulless, have an appetite.
Would you mind if we unpacked the
basket and ate right here, and now?'
and took out his pipe. while she
spread the napkins. 81 don't want
anything-have no appetite, he
pulled his briarwood vigorously.
But, Robert! You must brace the
inner man, Don't you remember you
have an ordeal before you tonight? 1
should think it would take some nerve
to propose to Miss Stubs. She's So
er-almost fat" apologetically, that
one would have to work his imagina-
ton overtime to say to her the things
that the heroine of a romance is sup
posed to RELISH
1T never did like skinny women
scathingly.
She hastily swallowed her bit of
sandwich.
you want 10 call me little OF
petite, or anything decently polite
her eyes were flashing, "I don't object
to you expressing your opinion-but
won't listen to anything so rude as
SKINNY" She shook the crumbs from
her lap and walked toward the waters
edge.
"Oh. Robert-the boats untied!''
she walled
"Thunder!" said Conway. springing
to his feet.
They watched it he1plessiy as it
drifted. The girl at last sat down de-
jectedly.
"I'l not get back in time to dress
for the dance"
you'll be lucky If any one comes
by in time to take us back tonight at
ALL he said forebodingly.
I'm all my twenty-five years I've
never met with such vexation" She
dug the sand into holes with the heel
of her small tan shoe. -.s--
You at least have some cause for
gratitude. It's not everybody that
achieves such ripe old age by calmly
peaceful paths"
Little Miss Pennell eyed him rniser-
ably. But it will soon be getting dark,
Robert-and 1 am afraid out here all
alone"
Seems that I should count for
with slightly more amiability.
"Oh, your she returned gloomily.
but you will be so bad tempered
because of Miss Stubs. You were
going to have a tete-a-tete with her
tonight, you know"
That's all over now" he sighed.
lover? Can't you ask her tomor-
row?''
He threw a pebble far out into the
water and waited to see it splash. I'm
ly, land you will have to consider it
this time-to keep those old cats at
the hotel from saying things"
She drew quick breath and her
eyes were mutinous.
Let them talk-they- have to talk
about something. 1 certainly shall not
let their silly clatter force me into
matrimony."
But, Betty hate for they to say
things. And I'm not bad chap"
81 know you're not" said Miss Pen
nell, fast becoming more excited and
angry, but they can falkland talk!
intended marrying you all along-but
1 won't be forced into it."
What" shouted Conway so loudly
that a lone bird perched on a nearby
grass stalk tapped its wings hurriedly.
She saw her false step, and tried to
retrieve. 81 meant-perhaps."
'No-you don't renig, he said hap
The shadows grew longer-he look
"Too bad, but must take you back
in time for you to dress for the
dance"
How" incredulously
He waived her doubts aside with an
airy gesture. THE hero of this ro-
nance knows how to relieve the hero
inc in distress. my lovely lady. See
that hut?" dramatically. well, there
are four canoes sheltered in it"
Little Miss Pennell dimpled appre-
cia.ively. You, dear" she said
Copyright. 1908, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
Balloon Laws Needed.