The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
The EVENING STORY
when Jinsey Plugged the Game.

a
mand for the position offered in the
morning paper.
We've got boy" declared Royce.
the gray-haired manager. You're too
late.''
81 was to ten other places before
could get here explained James
Henry which is the kid y put on?"
Royce nodded in the direction of a
small boy who was regarding his nicely
polished boots with embarrassed inter
est. James rendered hoarse thanks for
the information and slipped out. He
was back again in an hour or so to lay
a package and some change on Royce's
desk.
"Them's the pencils you sent for" he
announced. "Where'n put my hat?'
Il told you we had boy" said Royce
GROSSLY.
"And had amt u.s." explained
James. He's gone home to get his eye
fixed, and told him I'd take the job,
SOS he needn't worry
For a moment Royce hesitated. 1T
was bad policy to employ a boy who
had taken another's job, but Royce was
very tired of boys who lacked spirit. so
at last he nodded his head in the direc-
ton of the bench where the boys sat
waiting for their turn to be called.
mo more fighting OF out you CO." he
warned with a frown, and James
grinned as he crossed over to the
bench.
ton of Benson, the senior partner, and
even Benson thought of him as Jimsey
on those infrequent occasions When ne
gave the lad any thought at all. he
was alert, intelligent and always ready
TO perform services not strictly in his
line.
More than once Jimsey was sent up
town to Benson's home with some mes
sage, and in these commissions ne oeo
lighted. Usually he carried a message
to Mrs. Benson, and Jimsey grew ador-
inplv fond of the sweet-faced girl VINO
was the brokers' second wife.
Marion Chesney had married Ben
son because her parents had given
her no peace until she had consented
to make the sacrifice that should re-
establish the Chesney fortunes even at
the price of her own unhapplness, ana
like a prave little woman she was try
ing hard to make the best OF II,
though she found it very difficult at
times.
Benson had sought a mistress of
his home rather than of his heart. he
delighted in seeing his wife at the
head of his table when he gave din
ners to his business associates; Like
the plate and the wines, she did creolt
to his taste.
thought. He was careful to provide
flowers and candy, but merely because
he felt that this was expected, and
Jimsey took far more delight in the
or Marion in the receiving
once it had slipped out at home that
the head clerk had standing order TO
remind his employer to send flowers
and things, and after that they were
flowers or candy to Marion-nothing
more.
Jinsey's frank admiration and lively
WAYS meant far more to her because
his boyish alteration was sincere and
his friendliness genuine. She came to
watch for his appearance, and to Jim
sey the quarter or half dollar that she
gave him meant far less than the
friendly pressure of the slim, cool
fingers as she laid the coin in his
palm.
So matters stood when Jimsey,
ma king a short cut through the park
on the way to the street car line, came
face to face with Marion and a man
as he turned a curve in the path.
There was no mistaking the mans at
titude. He was making determined
love to her, and she seemed to at least
tolerant if not receptive.
For an instant Jimsey paused and
then half turned to retrace his steps
and made a detour. When he caught
a better glimpse of the mans face he
sauntered forward.
He came to a stop before the cou-
pie and his hat was whisked off as he
made a sweeping bow to Marion. Then
he turned to the man with look of
infinite disgust.
"Get on a new lay. Skinny" he de-
manded. you're off your beat and
in over your head You'd hetter beat
pipe from Hennessy's new tenements
went to. It's too bad you can't stay
no longer-but you get til outen
here"
TO Marion's surprise the man rose
and without a word took hurried de-
parture. Jimsey turned to her with
mild reproach in his eyes
II know how you feel" he said
soothingly as he watched the tears
come unbidden to her eyes. You
want to have a steady, and tn old
man amt no good for the mushy stuff.
You can't get a Irritation with no one
what knows your push. but you
don't want to get mixed up with no
lead pipe thief
81 am interested in charities" she
explained, not realizing that she was
making a defense to a fifteen-year-
old boy. He spoke so Interestingly of
the conditions he had studied. This |
was the first time that he presumed to |
become personal"
"He thought he had you cinched." |
Jimsey. forbearing to add !
want to put the old man wise, because /
Skinny may try to hold you up-black- |
mail, you know
II couldn't, I couldn't.' cried the
girl with q sob.
but you must" insisted Jimsey |
irmly. eff you don't tell. he'll make |
up all kinds of stories and you'll have |
to put up or stand for 'em."
But you can't understand" she be-
gan, and Jimsey sagely nodded his /
head. He was wise far beyond his
years.
"I know he conceded. "You two
amt never had good fight SOS you
could know each other. en- put
him wise?"
The girl shook her head, but Jim
sey shook his, too, and though he
said no more to her, he was waiting
Tor Benson when the latter left the
1ffice It was Benson's habit to walk
I'D town each evening until he felt
ired, and tonight Jimsey emerged
from the shadows of the corner and