The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-18
THE EVENING STORY
SEEKING the opportunity.


full swing. The girls, In dainty mus
Tins or smartly tailored linen suits.
were strolling about, with the men in
| white f1annels. making a charming
picture on the green lawn and shad-
owy piazza.
Mrs. Alder was swinging in the
! hammock, pushing herself back and
forth with her daintily shod foot.
while in cozy armchair by her side
sat Fred Marshall peacefully sn1ok-
ing his pipe.
1T strikes my verdaut young
those two people were married. set
tied down and lived happily after
ward"
He pointed to a couple in the
swinging seat under the maple tree.
"Married!" echoed Mrs. Alder.
Married is the exact and, be-
heve correct word" treasured Fred.
You should understand the signif-
canoe of tho word. my dear Dolly.
You're married yourself. if I'm not
mistaken"
sWhy, Billy Richards would never
dare to ask stunning girl like Mar
tina Vandercook to marry him. The
| idea is preposterous!" said Dolly AL
der as she gave herself q vigorous
push.
Want to bet on lit" asked Fred.
my dear boy 1t would be like rob-
hing the blind. Billy Richards is
sort of tame cat to Martha. You can
generally find him purring to himself
| in some corner, and in case she wants
him he's very apt to stretch himself
and come at her biddtng-but mar
riage-never!"
'I'n grant you there's something Of
the feline in him." said Fred. Hes
| slow and sure, but when he sees his
opportunity he'll jump at it. all right.
and probably land his mouse. I'll tell
xxyoo
you six perfectly good pairs OF gloves
against a pint Of half-roasted peanuts
that they marry within six months"
suggested Fred.
"Well, of course. in these hard
times, cannot afford to throw away
ly. "but, frankly, feel as II l were
taking money from a child. However,
| the bet is on"
| Harry Alder came from the house
at this moment and went to the rail
of the piazza, scanned the various
groups Of men and girls and at last
cried out to Billy and Martha In their
cozy corner.
Il say, Billy Richards. it's time
YOU had. a bit of exercise, and wish
you would run the launch around to
the public dock and get the tank filled
with gasoline for our afternoon hsn-
ing trip he cried with a merry Twin
kle in his blue eyes. And, by the
way. Martha. would you mind going
along and seeing that he buys gaso-
line and not other spirituous liquors
around there. Bflly's been aw1uliy
absentminded of late
| Rilly stretched himself, and then
Martha and he went down and loos-
ened the little launch Barbara rom
her moorings, and were soon on their
way around the point to the public
dock. Martha made a picture at the
wheel while Billy busted nfmseil With
the little engine.
Chilly Richards" said Martha,
meanwhile steering the little launch
| in and out between the larger boats
that lay in the bay, "the longer
know you the more stupid you seem
to grow"
martha, my dear girl" answered
Billy. "men with great mfnds-great
thinkers-are seldom great taikers'
and I'd have you to know that pc
cause I don't say things Is no sign
| that do not think them
| Btlly's chest seemed to expand with
this statement. Martha turned ana
| looked at him incredulously.
| ut may be that I have done you
| an Injustice, Billy" she said, but as
| I recall the past seven years, l Iooh
| in vain for any great thoughts, deeds
or speeches of yours. Surely great
! men say something-sometim
| She let go Of the steering wheel
and turned to see the effect OF ner
singing sarcasm. 1t was a bad move,
| Barbara struck hard, throwing
Martha down on her knees
Here was Billy's chance to say
something rather pertinent, but ne let
| it pass, with the host OF other LOST
opportunities. Billy was wiser man
The boatman made them fast to
the float, and Billy helped Martha
| out, as. he gave orders to have the
tank filled. He then followed Martha
float with the land. The tide was
very low and the sandy bottom was
easily visible through the clear, shall
Martha stared down at some large
black object in the sand Billy stared
'why. it's a stove. Martha" ex,
claimed Billy. Now, If we only had
that up here on dry land. we could go
to housekeeping right away. En-
gfrlie-couldn't WEI"
Martha clutched the rail-
as this a proposal. Bilfy?" she
asked in odd tones
ct guess it is, dear-at last. SAID
Billy as he put his sunburned hand
over hers. tive been trying to ask
rye done It all of sudden, with the
kitchen furniture thrown in. What's
my answer"
Billy was eagerly waiting for the
answer. when a tall colored man.
dressed in black frock coat, white tie
and vest and silk hat, touched him on
the shoulder.
s'Thar's the stove. sir, and here's
the parson." and with low, sweeping
bow. hat In hand, he bent his old
back before them.
The situation was Irresistible. and
ALI three. regardless of race, creed
or color. Joined in a hearty laugh.
I'm afraid tho odds are very much
against me-" parted Martha. 1T
would seem that the only way out OF
II is for me to say yes. Let's 80
home and tell Dolly.
r,,,a Ril1v was not considered