The Topeka state journal., 1908-04-24
THE EVENING STORY
saving the Ticket.
(By Carl Willianns.)

/
tiresome to you," said pretty Nelly
Briggs as she slipped into q chair be-
side Carol. 'It's not much like your
swell parties in the city. They must
be grand
Carol smiled and nodded an absent
minded assent. She was beginning to
hate the farce she was playing. III
health had sent her back to Broad
water. and her old associates in the
little town had taken it for granted
that because her few dresses were
well tailored and her feminine knick-
knacks were better than those sold at
the Boston store. she had prospered
nightly.
She had not told them that the
dresses were last years styles pur-
chased at the bargain counter after
infinite sacrifice. and tnat the kntck-
knacks which seemed SO precious in
Broadwater.s eyes were the odds and
ends OF remnant sales. She had per-
mitted them to believe that her life
was one round of gayety, and It was
all that they in their wistful
imaginings pictured.
She was beginning to hate herself
for the acted lie. At first 1t had been
very pleasant to receive the homage
of her associates; to read the: nice
things that were said about her in
the BrOadwater Bulletin and to
speak grandly of sin town" but now
pedestal apart from the rest and. she
was minded to step down and mingle
| with the crowd. -
Only two days remained of her
vacation, and this dance had been ar
ranged in her honor, marking the
| AS the guest of honor Carol shared
| her dances impartially with all appli-
cants, dividing dance between three
or four of the boys, but NeIly's re-
mark had dampened her pleasure in
| her belleship. 8s7s
/ It was not at all like the parties in
the city. The town hall was no more
4 dingy than the places she attended.
More, 1t was clean and bright and no
insistent calls of the walter Jared the
maker that patronage OF the bar was
\ considered Indispensable.
\ A piano and cornet constituted the
| orchestra, and they were playing last
1 years selections. Carol smiled as she
contrasted their playing with the
parks near town. but the atmosphere
was altogether different. and with q
/ sigh she realized that in q few days
she would be going pack to the
tawdry glitter OF the city, where she
1 was only one Of the lockers ON at the
4 real events. and where her own field
was restricted to the people in hel
boarding house, the few congenia.
girls in the church club TO which she
belonged and the half dozen men II
the office where she spent her day,
bent over a typewriter.
+ Seth Morey came up to claim tn,
\ first half of the next waltz, and a.
she placed her hand in his he said a.
Nelly Briggs had done before him:
Il suppose it all seems foolish t,
you." he said. "I guess you're used t
4, men in dress suits and all that
Carol Thought the man xyh,
danced with their hats on the back o
their heads. and only smiled in reply
I'm thinking Of coming to the cit,
next fall" continued Seth. II CUES
I need a little polishing up" s
You're better of where you are,'
said Carol wearily. s.sIf you'n tax
my advice. you'll stay here" -
"Of course we can't all be a.
clever as you and get anead as fast.
he said stiffy. There's Tomm,
Madigan. I think he has the secon,
chance at this Dance
Carol knew as well as Seth tina
Tommy was not next In turn. but sh
accepted the. exchange and wen
whirling about the hall with him
: while Seth sat in corner. glowerin
hercely assured himself that he we
foolish to imagine that a girl lik
Carol would care for a country fello,
like himself, after she had met 6
many smart men in the city.
Humbly he admitted the truth Of he
T. suggestion that he could not max
Z progress In town, and he succeeded /
becoming thoroughly miserable.
He was glad when the two-piece OF
> chestra struck up Home, Ewe<
Home" and the girls hurried to tn
I dressing room for their wraps. II
: waited at the door for Carol.
= May I walk home with your" h
q Ckad eha opma from fha droacir
= room in her smart coat and furs.
= Tiff you won't be cross again." as
scented Carol, slipping her arm throug
his. You know very well, she adde
a as they descended the stairs, ''ths
: Tommy Madigan was not next on m
you to stay here at home instead {
ltrying your luck in town. -sss. y
q T'1 know 7 was foolish" he assente
: a little sadly. I'D stand no chane
4 with those city-bred fellows. You a
4 ways were clever and could get ahead
q 'It isn't that" explained Carol. 'I'l
d going to tell you all about it, Seth. It
g all been a big mistake. Everybody u
v here supposes that am doing so we
D THAT I can afford to come home for
: rest without waiting for the summe
<. vacation That's not it at ALL"
s But you're here, and it's only April,
n he reminded her.
p ''rm here" she went on, because
+, Ibroke down trying to live and dree
: myself and do everything on seven do
: liars a week. had to have nice clothe
T. or I could not get a place. had
4 put my money on my back instead {
: into my food. They have no use for
: girl who does not convey the fmpref
Ision that the office is a prosperous on
Q I'm sick and tired Of 1t all and loath
the idea of going back"
"You wouldn't care to stay on here,
lhe declared incredulously. You dor
have half the fun. This was bi
q event tonight for us. Just contrast
3 with the times you have in town."
"I have, that's what makes me s
: miserable" she confessed. I'm town
!. don't go to the great balls you rea
: about. unless it's to stand outside I