The Topeka state journal., 1908-01-30
THE EVENING STORY
Cupid,s Coal Truck.
BY James Francis Dwy


The car came to an abrupt stop and
the conductor stretched his neck in
reckless manner as he looked for the
cause.
Goal truck on the blink with bro
Ken axle" he cried disgustedly, an
now l got to chase through the snow
to phone the 'mergency van." He
walked through the car to acquaint the
motorman Of his heroic intention. and
after buttoning his jacket set on up
the snow-covered road in search OF a
telephone.
The motorman took the opportunity
to stretch his legs by walking around
the disabled vehicle. When he stepped
from the car the two passengers sighed
wearily and the man moved closer to
his companion.
well. I'm glad that conductor has
gone" he remarked. HE stared at US
till my conscience suggested I had
given him a bad coin.''
The fur-wrapped girl beside him
laughed merrily.
.''Tis a habit of conductors" she
murmured. Il have noticed them be-
fore"
"I win pardon him." said the man;
he is but mortal, and I am pleased to
find that his mercenary occupation has
not destroyed his love Of the beautt-
full"
The girl smiled indulgently, but re-
mained silent. Meanwhile, the motor
man had entered into discussion with
the truck driver as to the best method
of removing the damaged vehicle.
"Letty!' The mans voice interrupted
a day-dream and the girl started.
DO you know am desperately in
love?'
The big blue eyes surveyed him criti-
cally.
NO, do not" she said emphatical-
ly. When man is in love he can
never disguise the fact
"YOu are thinking of calf-lOve." he
remarked. "the kind that bubbles over
and spofls its owners appetite; but
solid, healthy mans love-
att is all the same.' she interrupted;
"concealment is impossible. Now. Mr..
Dorrington is in love and child can
detect the symptoms"
''Dorrington!" the mans voice ex-
pressed his surprise. do you mean Old
Dorrington?'
The slightest puckering round the
corners Of the little mouth showed
where smile tried hard to establish
a footing.
day." continued the girl, II watched
him closely while he was speaking TO
mother"
Pardon mel" the mans tone was
masterful and the girl stopped. is
Dorrington-old Dorrington-in love
with your mother?"
The smile made another valiant ef-
fort to disturb the serenity or the girl
face, but retired discounted.
Il do not think So" she said auietly. y
eff he is, the feeling is not reciprocated,
as mother always leaves me to enter
tain him when he calls"
The man WINGED.
IT am anxious about him"-he tried
thrust-"Dorry is not young, you know.
and love. like measles, plays the mis-
chief with elderly people"
The lowering smile flashed triumph
ant1y across the girls blushing face
Seriously, Lefty her companion
continued, 'Dorrington is old! I re-
member him 25 years ago, when he
chased me away from a pond near your
mothers house. God bless my heart
girl!"-his tone changed to one ex-
pressing blank astonishment-1 am
getting old, too"
The girl turned and the blue eyes
loked carefully over the mans brown
face, noting the length and depth OF
every wrinkle that marked it.
You are getting old. Jack"
st know it!'' he cried, "and here am
I in a sidetracked car doing nothing.
while time pursues me remorselessly
Evidently thinking anything prefer
able to inaction, he started out to cap
ture one of the little gloved hands of
his companion, and after she had vain
ly tried to defeat his intentions he
clasped it between his own two and
seemed immensely pleased at the feat.
conductor would come back"
He cannot shift us!'' The man was
defiant and the girl blushed as she no.
ticed his restleSSnesS.
mo but he can stare at you, she cried
irritably, land your actions. since he de-
parted. prove that the stare was effec-
tive
"But, Lefty" he said, what +. terrible ti,le
wasted years, thirty-five autumns, thirty
five springs and the same number of win
ters and summers, all barren and use
less He shuddered and moved closer.
"Oh. Jack she murmured, "do look and
see Ha - stood up. still holding the little hand
and carefully scanned the white road. He
is not coming, he crled gleeIdully: sIa 4L ne ne
will have to walk mlie-a mile there ana
You have no pity exclaimed the girl.
prisoned hand she as she spoke. but the
ike Ike It, Sir sir. if you had to walk tive miles
noliansed ln ino edo ON the track?'
"Tt is not a silly old coal truck, said
is is'e a - wonderful glorious. rainbow tinted
Don't say Providence.n she interrupted
mo, of Dan Cupid: Dlon tell you.
s.The coal truck she interrupted again.
You certainly used enough adJect1ves to
give one that impression.
"And I do!' he cried defiantly. II adore |
the horses. the axle and every other part
cause-do @ you know why. Lettsr.
tramn two miles in the snow she an
swered-
The man was annoyed.
"Confound the conductor he cried.
"I wish he'd come back" she said. "If /
he does not return soon I win call upon !
the motorman. suppose he is responsi- |
BE for the safety of the passengers while |
his mate is away.
The mention of the motornan made her |
companion turn around to see where that
person was stationed, and he was some |
what surprised to find that he had i'm |
pressed two horses belonging to another |
truckman, and, with the combined teams |
was making a vigorous effort to pull the |
obstruction from the track. This strenu- |
Gus proceeding alarmed the man, and he |
turned quickly to the girl.
Lefty, I want you to listen"' he cried. |
ieIt ha the nrlly chance I will L