The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-27
TIE EVENING STORY
The Other Girl
(By Martha Cobb Sanford


enjoying a confidential after dinner
smoke.
$50 you're the same eligible old
bachelor, are you, Grant?'' jollied
Cunningham. Il prophesied this sum-
mer would land you sure. Didn't you
meet her. after all ?''
Meet whom ?'' drawled Grantham
good naturedly.
oh, this incompatible. irresistible
ideal Of woman you're always talking
about. Aren't you beginning to fear
she may not exist after all? 20
ION the contrary Grantham an
swered, between puffs, I'm more than
ever sure She does. I've seen her
back
Cunningham burst into a hearty
laugh.
he teased.
MOT in the way you mean. Cum
ming. !" replied Grantham reminiscentiy.
Then after blowing a few 1eisureiy
smoke rings, he waxed communicative
You see, he continued, I've never
really, turn her back on me. And
what's more I'm never going to give
her the chance!"
''You mean that you do not intend
to meet her?" gasped his friend in
establishment
: Cunning, you've no imagination"
reproved Grantham. "Of course in
tend to meet her some time-but 1
II,
and of her, before do. I'm going to
propose the first time I speak to her"
Most extraordinary. commented
Cunningham where does she live?"
Don't know" puffed Grantham.
This was too much for Cunningham.
He suspended smoking for few sec
onds to observe the placid countenance
of Gfantham, decided that any speech
was inadequate, and lit a fresh cigar.
You see" resumed Grantham,
smiling in an exasperatingly satisfied
manner, 81 just happened to trail after
her a bit in canoe one fine day this
summer. The way her queenly little
head was set on her shout iers, and the
way her soft hair blew about in the
wind. and the way she handled
paddle" -t-s
Here, hold on" interrupted Cum
ningham, brutality unsympathetic. do
you mean to say that you can rave
like that over girl whose face you've
never seen?''
Grantham nodded.
bet she's as homely as mud
fence" grunted Cunningham.
> THAT doesn't make any difference"
announced Gran than. ''I love her
and shall marry her just the same.''
''And meanwhile you don't even
know where she lives Cunningham
reminded him.
"Oh, 1 have notion L may meet
her any day. My guide said the
guide in her canoe was taking around
some Boston, people. So you see the
case isn't hopeless, Cunning" Grant
ham concluded affably.
By the time the two. men had met
again, Grantham had seen her!
Her face?" demanded Cunning
ham abruptly.
mo, just her back sighed Grant
ham ecstatically.
well, how in thunder did you
recognize her-that's what, I'd like to
know"
"Grantham, I'd know her any
where. Whether she wore a little
an evening frock, I'd know her. She
can't disguise the pose of that queenIy
head. She can't"
Probably she can't" interrupted
indifferently. "But 1
must say the affairs a little too high
pitched for my common comprehen-
sion. My sister thinks it's awfully ex-
citing though. I've been telling her
about it.
"Says she'd just be in the seventh
think that's the word
she used-ever happened to her. Tried
to convince me that it was noble and
courageous of you to declare you'd
marry girl you knew you could love, |
no matter what she looked like. II
told her it was idiotic foolishness."
At this Grantham chuckled, and |
settled himself still more comfort |
ably in the big easy chair. "She |
would be perfectly stunning" he
frock."
Cunningham sighed. Lets go to
the theater," he urged. "You ought |
to keep in the public eye, you know, |
4 you're going to bring this will-o-
-he-wisp chase to a finish.'
The play was fairly amusing, but |
Irantham found time to study the |
backs of the different women.
Suddenly, toward the end of the sec
md act, he grasped Cunningham's arm /
lightly.
"She's here" he whispered. Look in |
he second lower box at the left
Cunningham looked. In fact he had
scarcely looked anywhere else since the
play began.
isn't she beautiful" Grantham
oreathed.
Cunningham nodded sullenly. "Come
IN OUT he almost commanded, as the
curtain fell on an unheeded climax. In
| corner of the lobby, apart from the
crowd, the two men halted. Cunning
lam cleared his throat.
"Grantham," he began impreSSively.
I have to shatter your dream. But you
ant have her. I've chosen her myself
Grantham stared at his friend a mo-
nent, scarcely comprehending. Then
lie smiled bit wistfully.
Has she chosen you?" he asked
Iuietly.
why, no, can't say that she has"
admitted reluctantly But
m hoping she will. Pm playing very
iscreet game-Im not boring her to
eath the way all the others are.'
You'll introduce me?" Grantham
sked quietly.
Cunningham hesitated-but only for
he fraction of a minute. Certainly,
e answered -courteously.- =. ,.-.-. ..s
The two men entered the box just as
he curtain was going up for the third
ct. The introductions were necessar-
Y hurried.
Miss Curtiss," Cunningham said, Z
riehy and formally, Mr.. Grantham-"
hen turning with a familiar nod to the !
Their young woman in the box he