The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-02
THE EVENING STORY

(By Lester Rose.)

IT have" he answered, ''but what Is |
the use Of match when the gas has
failed?''
'T have a lamp" was the response
that cannot find match anywhere"
wait a second" he said, as he fun |
pled in his pocket. There was sound
of scratching, feasible giimmer, q
gust Of wind, and then blackness again. |
I'm so sorry" said the girls voice. |
That's all right was Conger's
cheerful response. i've lots more"
There was a momentary silence, broken
only by half suppressed CALCULATIONS.
Cannot you find one?" asked the girl
seriously.
Thought had a lot" he declared,
but that seems to be the last one.
There are some In my bedroom. Wait
a second"
The sound Of brisk footballs. pause.
then the footsteps grew indistinct, while
a voice a little less cheerful announced
that Conger had found plenty In the
dining room.
From there came the sound of break
ing crockery, the sharper tinkle of
glassware, and strong language which,
to do him justice, Conger never realized
to be as penetrating as 1t was.
Are you hurt?" called the girl anx-
iously.
More in spirit than in body" was the
answer, but the matches have fallen
down behind the sideboard."
Never mind she called, 1T can get
come from the janitor."
shout and sudden glare Of light
cut her short. IT knew I'd get one
somewhere" exulted Conger. as he ap-
peared around the corner Of the hall
way holding aloft a dozen blazing
sticks. Found a whole box in the
kitchen, and didn't smash q single
thing"
A great red stain caught the girls
eye. You are cut" she cried. Are you
badly hurt7''
TITS nothing much" he returned
care1essly. IT nicked my hand feeling
for the matches after I knocked over
some things on the sideboard.''
She snatched the box from his other
hand and fed into her apartment. leav-
ing Conger gaspfng with establishment.
He was in the same attitude when she
rushed back few seconds later. and,
catching him by the injured hand, drew
him into her parlor, where now a lamp
burned brightly.
'Tll have that poor hand fixed in half
| a minute she promised briskly as she
parlor and knelt before bureau. She
was back in a moment with bundle
Of soft rags and bottle.
She snatched a candle from her writ
| ing desk, and Conger watched its feeble
glow as she vanished down the hall,
| ed after. It had been several years
since there had been any one to bind
| up his wounds.
| She came back with a bowl of water,
| and tenderly she bathed the cuts and
wrapped them up with a dizziness that
bespoke long practice.
81 had three brothers at home,' she
| announced brightly, as he compliment
| ed her skill. They were most as good
training as a hospital Does 1t hurt?"
'Hurt?" he echoed. why, I'm posi-
| lively enjoying it. Don't you think that
I cut my other hand, too?"
She gravely inspected the proffered
member and shook her head.
Wait a minute, them" he urged,
land I'll go back and look for another
match"
But you've got a whole boxful here"
| back for?"
ct think know where that broken
glass isl he explained.
She laughed, a little, ripping laugh
| that sounded to Conger like song
without words.
You'll be content with these before
they are healed she assured him.
I'm infinitely obliged, Miss"
'I am Alice Upton" she said simply.
I'm Charlie Conger," he announced,
land I am more than obliged to you."
mot Mr. Conger, the illustrator" she
asked quickly.
He nodded his head.
You cannot work until your hand
gets better" she cried, land It's all my
fault"
mot at ALL" he defended. "All mine.
I ought to know the geography Of my
fiat better"
But If I had not asked you for a
match she said penitently.
I'D have done the same thing, and
might have bled to death before I
WOULD eyof hn1T mi h
light in the place is OUT
$50 they are across the street." she
said, as she raised the curtain Some
thing must have happened to the gas
main"
Good thing he commented, that
1t happened after supper. So many
persons use gas for cooking"
She gave a shrek of dismay.
"I was so busy writing letters that
forgot to get dinner" she cried. What
can I do?"
Haven't you coal stove, too?" he
inquired. 1.-THE landlord would not let
me take mine out"
That's so,' she frightened up. But
I have no coal"
II have" he announced "I keep It
for my CRATE fire. I'll get some in a
jiffy."
He started out and she followed him |
with the light. BY the time she reach |
ed the hall she found him staring, dis |
mayed. at the closed door to his apart |
ments.
"The draught has blown the door to-
he explained, land there is a spring |
latch"
.eDon't you carry keys?" she asked, |
laughingly.
"But this Is Sunday and have on |
the old trousers lounge about in. The |
keys are on the wrong side OF the |
door"
.And I've locked you out" !
IT hope not. II you lock me out, too, |
I'm in a bad fix.
She looked at him anxiously.
..Cannot the Janitor force the door?"
Better than that, he announced joy |
fully. MY Jap is forever forgetting to |
,a+ot the drImbwaiter I can climb |