The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-23
THE EVENING STORY
Nancy,s Proxy.
(By Epes W. Sargent,)

(By EpeS w. Sargent,)
Nancy, it's awful to go to school"
Nancy Hartman nodded a solemn
assent to the statement. for she always
agreed with what Bobby Seaton said.
In this sentence her own views were
reflected, albeit those views were
somewhat prejudiced at the moment
by the fact that she had been kept
in after school, and Bobby had had
to sit on the curb and wait for her.
He had done his best, too, to be kept
in, and so share her punishment
"I'1l be glad when I'm married and
don't have to go to school," he con-
tinued solemnly. Married people don't
have to go to school"
mfr. Scarritt did, reminded Nancy.
HE was minister" explained
Bobby, as though that made differ
ence. Besides he was married when
he was in college. College is different
from a school"
Nancy nodded wisely. She could not
grasp any distinction. but since Bobby
said so, there must be a difference.
Schools horrid,'' she complained.
ST just fired one teeny little spit ball
and Miss Magnus made me stay in"
"She's got to stay to correct the ex-
ercises," explained Bobby, land she's
'fraid to stay alone. That's why she
always makes some one stay in"
"'Tain't fair insisted Nancy, "and
we were going after nuts. too"
81 tell you what" exclaimed Bobby.
Lets get married and then she can't
make us go to school,"
Right now?" demanded Nancy,
with a glance at her soiled dress.
assured Bobby. Wen GO to Mr., Scar
rift. He got married when he was in
school, so he'll understand"
But he went to school after he got
married" reminded Nancy.
That's because he wanted to-" ex-
planned Bobby. .If he didn't want to
go he didn't have to. We won't want
to co.
He started to his feet and Nancy
obediently followed. Had Bobby pro-
would have followed with the same
content. for was not Bobby wise with
the wisdom of full eight years. while
she boosted only scant six?
1t was short walk to the minister's
home, and presently Bobby, brave but
a trif1e weak in the knees and with a
higher color on his face. was explain
ing to the minister his desire to wed.
The Rev. Scarritt, grave and studi-
GUS, was shocked at the suggestion,
rilege, turned them from his study.
The reproof was lost on determined
mind, and when the door had closed
Bobby shook his tiny fist in the air.
"Just cause he's married he don't
care bout no one else" he said vim
dictively. Hes not the only marrier
in town. HUH"
There was a world of scorn in the
exclamation, and Bobby'S wrath was
hot. He had not understood what the
minister was saying, but he had gath
cred that he was being scolded for
even thinking of marriage, and this
under the very eyes of his beloved.
There were three other ministers in
town, but none of them was at home,
and Bobby turned toward the tired
Nancy.
IT'S no USE" he said, with a tight
ening of the quivering lip. We've got
to go to Riverside
Nancy blinked back the tears and
put her hand in his.
TITS dreadful hard getting mar
ried,'' she said. do all people have
trouble like this %
when they elope," explained Bob
by calmly. You don't have time to
fix it with the minister
st don't think that '1oping's much
fun" ventured Nancy, but Bobby's
look silenced her. Together they
trudged along in silence until the
houses were passed. and the road to
Riverside lay bare and lonely before
them.
The shadows were closing in and
there were clumps of trees that made
patches of dark. just the sort that
pears love TO hide IN.
For the benefit of his lady, Bobby |
kept up a brave front but his clasp on |
the tired. dirty little hand that lay |
within his own frightened when the |
dark places came and the sturdy little |
legs were urged to greater speed until
the danger point was passed.
The dark was closing in now, and |
Nancy's plump little legs were not as |
strong as Bobby's, and though she |
bravely sought to hold the pace. she |
Jagged behind.
At last. in spite of her fortitude, she |
had to give in, and sank with little |
sob on the grass beside the roadway.
II just can't go any more. Bobby"
she walled. ''It seems like we most |
walked round the EARTH
TITS only a little way now" urged |
Bobby, land maybe the minister will |
ask us to stay for supper"
The mention of food was the last /
straw. Fatigue had prevented the |
thought of hunger; but now Nancy |
knew that she was famished.
A school lunch is not calculated to /
last until O'Clock, and Nancy remem- /
bered that there was to be jelly cake
for supper.
At the sound of the sobs that shook
her frame, Bobby knelt beside her
and sought to check the flow of tears,
but not until she had cried herself to
sleep on Bobby's shoulder did silence
come.
Bobby himself felt very much like
crying, but that would never do, and |
he held back the tears while he stared
bravely into the dark his arm protect
ingly about the sleeping Nancy.
1t seemed to him ages passed as he
sat there in the silence and the dark
No wagons came along. though once
an automobile shot past at a speed
that rendered his cry unavailing
The passing of the car only served to
make the loneliness the more pro-
nounced, and when two more great
yellow eyes shone far down the road
Bobby gently lowered the golden head
from his shoulder to the grassy bank
and sprang to his feet. Perhaps if
he waved his arms they would see and
stop.
Nearer and nearer came the lights,
and he stood directly in the yellow
fta 10 10 in h. |