The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-10
THE EVENING STORY
A Narrow Escape.
(By Martha c. Sanford. }

into the Central station. just as the
man behind the megaphone an
nounced: Incoming o'clock up
state express on track IA" He made
his way nervously through the anx-
ious crowd surging toward the gate
and took up his position in the line
behind the guard ropes.
Then, serene in the consciousness
that he was, after all, on time, his
mind lapsed into contemplation Of the
business problem from which he had
wrenched himself but ten minutes be-
fore. The passengers, hurrying by
from the train, made no individual i'm
preston upon him. He stood there
as one waiting to be recognized and
set in motion. Suddenly he was aware
that he was being spoken to.
You don't remember me, I'm
afraid, Mr.. Rollins
His bewilderment, as he looked at
the girl. was quite evident.
I'm afraid I don't" he began
stumbling. Then, in a flash, his face
lighted up and he grasped her hand
cordially. Eyes. do" he retracted.
81 remember you perfectly. but can't
recall your name"
'Eloise Kimball." the girl informed
him. I'm Margaret's roommate
ITO be sure he assented genially.
though in reality the recollection of
that distant day spent in a whirl and
Oh euulcSSly
girls momentarily dismayed him.
AS he bent down, quite as matter
of course, to take up her suitcase, he
remembered that this wasn't the girl
he had come to meet after all.
Great heavens" he exclaimed in
sister. Did you happen to see her on
the train, Miss Kimball?'
At this Eloise could hardly keep
from laughing outright. The man was
certainly living up to his reputation:
IAN irreclaimable freak was Mar
garet's sisterly way of describing him.
''She isn't coming until the 1880
train tonight Eloise Informed him.
She asked me to tell you. That's
why 1 was so very indecorous as to
speak to you"
Rollins looked dumfounded.
"Got me up here for nothing" he
asked in amaZement. Couldn't she
have telegraphed? Really, Miss KIM
ball, 1 can't see what good four years
at college has done Margaret if it
hasn't taught her to realize the rela-
tive Importance of things. The idea of
midst of business hours for nothing.
I"
Suddenly he stopped short A pair
of mischievous brown eyes were
laughing at him.
st mean, of course" he amended
telegraphed and saved us both this
trouble
At this the laughter dubbed over.
81 fear we are pretty thoughtless
lot" she admitted demurely. But
we learn very easily-that's where our
education benefits US, perhaps. Now
don't let me keep you away from bust
ness another second. 1 feel very
guilty"
This sympathetic little apology had
came all at once aware of the girls
extreme prettiness. 1t would be bru-
tai to leave her in that big station
along and helpless.
Hang business!" was his unexpect-
ed reply. DO you have to cross the
city, Miss Kimball?"
Eyes. leave by boat from the East
river side. But please don't bother
about me, Mr.. Rollins. I'm quite used
to crossing the city alone, really"
what time does your boat leave ?"
he inquired pertinently.
'At 6 o'clock
IT'S about $3.50 now" Rollins said.
us time for little fun. What would
you like to do most, Miss Kimball?"
Have a college sundae and ride
down the avenue on top of the bus
she announced unhesitatingly.
But seriously" urged Rollins.
That's serious" protested Eloise.
Have you outgrown such simple
forms of amusement"
Not outgrown, just forgotten" he
assured her heartily. IT think 1t will
be jolly lark. Now for the college
sundae. What is your favorite flavor %
oh. shades of solemn stocks and
bonds. II Margaret could have seen
them now! Eloise described a COM
plete revolution on her rotary stool a.
the thought of 1t.
And the ride down on the bus. hats
off, with the brisk breeze blowing
through their hair and everywhere the
exhilaration as of holiday about
them!
ct never had so much fun in my
life!" Rollins exclaimed with unaffect-
ed enthusiasm
Its because you're playing truant."
Eloise assured him. Aren't you hav-
ing fun?" he asked her.
"Of course! I could squeal, I'm so
happy"
But you aren't playing truant.
WHAT
I'm just playing interrupted
Eloise quickly. And that's more fun
than anything else in the world"
Rollins was the first to break the lit
tie conscious silence that followed.
IT was awfully rude to you at the
station, Miss Kimball. I hope you'll
forget it. I don't know what you
thought of me-
margaret Hdu pIcpdfcu me lOr the
worst" she said.
What had she told your" he de-
manded. 1T will probably do me good
to hear"
Eloise let him have the merciless
truth.
And suppose you agree with herr"
he questioned, half in Jest, half in earn
est.
Margaret doesn't half know how ir-
reclaimable you are" Eloise answer
ed without perceptible flicker of
mockery.
1t was with a strangely new sensa-
ton that Curtiss Rollins stood watch
ing a ship sail out to sea long after
the f1utter of a certain little handker-
chief had become indistinguishable be-
fore he turned his face toward town
again, which. he had decided, had
grown suddenly dull and lonely. In
tho DAVIS that followed he was. absorb