The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-25
THE EVENING STORY
Eisher1aan's Love.
by Temple Bailey.l


siri In the broad hat, would you put |
TINS worm on for me?''
Halleck looked up. She was dangling |
line in front Of his nose, and she held |
out to him tin can.
simply can't put them on the |
NOOK. she said. with little shudder, |
nate to see them squirm"
Halleck looked at her again. She
didn't seem at all the type of young
woman who made acquaintances pro-
mlscuousiy She had a grave direct |
glance, and at present her mind was
ing.
In silence Halleck impaled the worm.
Tnank you, she said, and dropped
her line into the water
In moment there was a splash, and
with little cry the girl landed a fish.
please take 1t on" she said. and
Halleck found the line again dangling
In front OF his nose. but this time with
golden. 5ewel-spotted fish at the end.
without harming the shining crea-
ture, Halleck slipped the nook out of
Its mouth. You'd better throw II
back" he advised, its too small to
Very WELL" she said, and watched
the little sunfish as it swan through
the limpid water to freedom.
Then once more she held out the tin
can.
Please put one on" she said.
Again Halleck patiently laid aside
his hand net, and baited her hook, and
again she dropped her line in the wa
ter, to bring it out again with another
| infinitesimal fish.
This one is too small, too." Halleck
told her. you can't catch any fish
worth keeping on the pier"
why are you fishing then?" she
questioned.
ST am catching bait" was Halleck's
| information. land when I have enough
| am going out in my boat for pick
| erel'
Her eyes shone. "Oh. should love to
DO you know those two little fish that
you took off of my line are the first
| ever caught?'
Halleck looked at her with a specu-
lative eye. II could take you out"
he hesitated.
Gould you?" Then in a businesslike
way, How much do you charge for an
hour?"
Halleck stared at her.
II don't understand" he said at last.
The grave eyes met his in a direct
Aren't you the man who rents the
boats?"
No
"Oh," her tone was startled. "Oh, I
beg your pardon-I thought"
That's all right" Halleck assured
her.
But her face was stained by a burn
II must have seemed very trouble
some
MOT a bit. 1 am one of your fellow
guests at the hotel. I sit at the table
next to you. I saw you last night with
an older lady"
Yes, my aunt"
She spoke abstractedly, as she gath
cred up her rod and little basket. II
don't think I will fish any more" she
remarked.
.D,aa.. s..,x -,,, a-ov an INV a.
count" Halleck begged. Il am going
out in a few minutes and you can have
the pier all to yourself"
He did not offer to take her with
| him. He knew now that she was not
that kind Of girl, and he was glad she
| was not.
He put his traps into his boat and
pulled out, lifting his white linen hat
gravely as his boat shot into mid
stream.
That night he saw her again at the
table. She was in pink. and she wore
her hair in pretty golden puffs all over
the top Of her head. He liked her little
stately manner, and the deferential way
she had with her aunt
The older lady was tall and thin.
with sparkling brown eyes. The spark
ling eyes rested often on Halleck dur
} ing the meal and when dinner was
over, and the two ladies passed him
at the table, the aunt stopped.
You are Mr.. Halleck?" she Ques-
!, toned.
yes" Halleck rose and stood beside
her.
; planned my niece has been telling
me that she took you for the boatman.
,, She feels badly that she should have
, spoken as she did But l am giad II
, happened. 1 am Mrs. Evans. I know
, your mother we'll, Mr.. Halleck, and ]
might not have met her son, II l hadn't
> been looking for the man that Helen
fancied she had offended.
, Halleck walked to the door with her,
where the girl in pink waited 1or them
This is Mr.. Halleck, Helen. MRS.
Evans said. He isn't bit onended,
and he writes delightful books, as his
mother did before him."
Helen surveyed him with the grave
ewes that had delighted him that
morning. -
Ibid you catch any pickerel! she
-Four" he informed her. "big
= ones"
| Mrs Evans stated. "She has always
lived inland, and now she spends
morning. noon and night on the lake.
"I'Il tell you," Halleck planned; we
: will go tomorrow and we VIII eaten
: our fish and cook them on the island.
= And they went, the three of them
l in Halleck's boat, and for bait they
had minnows, and their prey was
pickerel, and before noontime Helen
had caught two shining. slender beau
ties and Mrs Evans, who, in broad
2 hat and with a magazine, had MADE
: herself comfortable, was moved TO
e enthusiasm. -,
Helen" she said. I'VE Will come
e every day."
4 "Mr. Halleck may think we are
\ troublesome, auntie.
I "Mr. Halleck will think he has been
! blessed by the gods" said that gentle
4 man, and Helen laughed little.
? and cook our fish,"
So Halleck took them to green:
| cool. shadowy spot in the center OF
| 49, Island and there thew brOiled the1r