The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-26
THE EVENING STORY
As It Happened.
[By Troy Allfson.1

AS - 3&AEgkSCAACA1s
EBy Troy Allisen.l
Chesterton. first honor man, captain
Of the football team, and all round ia
vor1te, walked down the elm avenue
leading to the college, lost In medita- |
ton. He never even chose the best |
spots on the slippery, sleety path, and |
beyond rubbing his ears and nose occa- |
sionally, IN the most absent-minded
way, he seemed not to know that the |
blizzard.
He kicked a piece of ice out Of his
path viciously, all the fervor of his |
heart concentrating itself in the wish |
that 1t could have been Johnson of the |
junior class. who had INSTRUCTED his
path In the same manner. The mere
thought Of 1t caused him to walk out
OF his way to find another larger and
more kickable obstacle.
The night before at the senior prom,
Esther Dillon had danced six times with
the tnsufferable Johnson = and had
steadfastly pleaded a full card every
time Chesterton approached her. Ches-
terton didn't know what was the mat
ter Her GOODNESS had been first per-
ceptfble on Christmas day-and the
thermometer had dropped steadily until
1t had, he realized, reached absolute
freezing point. In his steadily growing
desire to see the image of Johnson in
every ktckable object. he finally over
reached himself, and sat down on the
Esther Dillon, whose father was
teacher Of mathematics and lived with
in the college grounds, on her way home
from an afternoons shopping came
upon him suddenly as he was trying
his foot to see II he could manage to
hobble to the dormitory.
You develop new traits daily. Mr..
Chesterton," she said in the politely
frigid tone she had used for six weeks.
IT never dreamed any one could find
pleasure in sitting on the ice-covered
edge Of a carriage drive. Does the APP
preaching twilight seem more soulful
from such standpoint"
He stood up hastily on his one sound
foot and smiled grimly.
Standpoint seems an inaccuracy OF
speech, Miss Esther, and really have
become SO aoclimated to chillness in the
last few weeks that didn't notice the
temperature OF the pavement being any.
thing but normal Perhaps you wouldn't
mind being friendly long enough to
help a fellow reach the dormitory. You
see, I've sprained my ankle"
"Oh" she said, quickly sympathetic,
let me run to the gymnasium and send
some of the boys. Does it hurt much?"
Pretty bad; but don't mind the
pain SO much II can manage to hobblo
on. was just taking long breath TO
shout for one of the fellows-but-I
don't mind. I'll put my hand on your
shoulder to steady myself, and think
I can manage some kind OF a hating
gait"
The girl, in her sympathy, forgot the
grievance she had against him and with
every limping step Chesterton grew
more firmly convinced that being
cripple for life might have its compen-
sations.
what made you do it7" he asked
abruptly. The shoulder he was leaning
on twitched violently.
DO what?" she asked, with perverse
feminine ignorance
Freeze me-ignore me-cut me
slight me-neglect me-
Perhaps If you wait until you reach
the library you might consult the die
tionary and find a few more transittve
verbs" she suggested. with a gurgle OF
amusement.
ter and came down on his lame foot
with so buoyant a step that he
erimaced with pain
seWlhy did you do It, Dsther7" he
asked pleadingly.
'fWhy didn't you even thank me
the tiniest little bit for the Christi
mas present I sent your" she fall
tered.
Chest erton stopped. and balancing
on one foot faced her in unfeigned
establishment.
swny-my dear ~, girl. this is tho first
REALLY! Didn't you even get tt?"
with a Joy that scarcely seeme0 an
appropriate show of feeling Tor rne
Ioss of an article that she had spent
SO much time in selecting. I'm SO
glad!" she said impuisdvefy
He was filled with compunption for
haytnz cherished such malicious feel
ings toward Johnson-JohnSon wasn't
half q bad fellow, he remembered
that he had once liked him immense
".
nice to me at the Christmas might
reception 2" he hazarded hopefully.
"Of course that was the reason.
When thanked you for the roses and
you didn't say word-not even
tiny word about the package I sent
you-I thought that-men we're 50
queer" doleful1y.
'Of course seemed a downright
brute and a barbarian" berating him
self manfully. And I went to that
reception with my courage screwed to
the highest notch. wanted to ask
at the end of the term to-er-you |
know this is my last year. Hsther." he |
finished awkwafdly.
''Y-e-s-it's your last year." she |
repeated softly.
''Esther, suppose that package |
hadn't gone astray-aud I had let you |
see how overjoyed was to have you /
think to send me anyt |
on earth from pale blue necktie to |
q white anything on earth |
that you had thought to send Of your
own accord" magma namously. do you /
think that you would have been Moe |
enough to me to have given me /
courage to tell you what wanted to
say?" he tried to see her face in the
fast gathering darkness.
"It wasn't pale blue-nor SO large
as an elephant she parted.
my dear girl, And I can't pos
sibly walk without supporting myself |
more" he put his arm across her
shoulders and then scowled to see
they were nearing the electric light |
on the driveway.
ssI think it was the prettiest poster /
said and Chest err