The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-08
THE EVENING STORY
The Prophecy of Carolyn.
(By Elliot Walker.)

(By Elliot Walker.)
This is the sweetest, most lovely
ing audibly. as the stream singing be-
low the rock on which she stood
cleaned rosily in the sunset.
Isn't it? The setting, the-merciful
heavensr' a deep, unfamiliar voice rose
to a Mortified cry of CONSERVATION.
In her sudden, startled turn the girls
slender foot had slipped. 1t caught in a
crevice. A wrench for release. and she
sat down, jarringly, uttering low
shrek.
The man skipped nimbly to her as
sistance. His face was even more dis
tressed than hers.
You are hurtr' he exclaimed.
Il certainly am very uncomfortable,
sir. My ankle is sprained. I think.
Why did you speak to me?"
The strangers eyes widened.
81 thought you spoke to me. sup
posed you saw me. I'm Mr.. Elder. De-
los Elder, you know. Miss Barr, I'm
mighty sorry"
For a moment Ara forgot the pain.
She laughed, half Historically. Delos
Elder, the man she had long wished to
meeti Carolyn Seely's friend, who was
coming to Bonnyview, and she, Ara,
had begged Carolyn to send him over.
Her intention had been to impress Mr..
Elder. What would Carolyn say?
A twinge of the ensnared foot
out hand, stammering. "Oh, yes, L
might have suspected. I left word
that If any one called to say I'd gone
up the road. 1 never thought of you.
Elder had dropped her fingers. and
was working at the imprisoned shoe.
Brace, now" he said, firmly. It's
going to hurt
1t did hurt. The girl tried to smile.
but her cheeks went white. She strove
against the black dizziness. No, she
simply would not faint. She would
noti The man heard her grit her
teeth.
LAS plucky as she is pretty" he
thought. Poor child I'll bet that was
agony, but I had to pull. How Will
get her homer"
back with a dripping handkerchief. AL
ready twilight had darkened about
them Mosquitoes buzzed, a whip-poor-
will sounded the call of the night, the
brook gurgled melancholy murmurs, a
bat swooped-and no helpful sounds
came from the lonely highway.
81 guess my countenance is suffi-
GENTLY sopped,' uttered Ara. meekly-
II didn't quite faint, did l? I'm mucn
obliged for your arm and shoulder, pue.
really, I'm all right now. Please take
me home, Mr. Elder
"Directiy. Miss Barr" He passed
hand over a wilted shirt front. His
bright tie had shed its color on his
white vest. Where was his nat! he
rubbed his knees; they had ground
painfully against the stone, even to sad
laceration of cloth.
"I'm thinking of the best way" he
added cheerfully. 1T can't carry you.
Neither can you walk, nor hop on one
foot No dwelling is in sight. No team
is apt to come along. We must not
wait here, and I'm afraid TO leave you
in this lonesome spot
crawl cried the girl my
people never worry about my being
late"
mo, 1 might shout for help"
"Oh! anything but that. Besides, VINO
will hear you? I'm going TO get up.
You're going to sit still, Miss Barr.
I'll find a way. Wait a minute"
The pair sat in dismal silence. Ara
lodged a bat with shudder. her
injured foot ached. 1t was growing
grewsomely dark in the shadows.
81 have itr' exclaimed Elder, rising.
1.-THE wheelbarrow.'
"Where?"
"By the roadside, just beyond the
bridge 1t was full of stones for wall
ing up a spring. I'll dump the rocks.
and bring it to the nearest point"
you'll dump me?"
mo, won't"
In an instant he was gone. The
girl pressed his damp handkerchief to
"It was all his fault" she whispered.
"but I'm sort of glad it happened,
Carolyn said-pshaw! what am I do
ing?"
is dirty, but I've spread my coat in
it," informed Mr.. Elder. returning.
"Come! I'll lift you down. Hand on!
Don't mind my Juggling you, Miss
Barr. It's a case of necessity
'I'n be good" said Ara.
Cautiously picking his way. Delos
Elder did not notice the confiding
clasp of her arms, nor her soft cheek
pressed against his neck. He was
only conscious of her behaving beau
tifully on a rather perilous journey,
| and that sure footing was the impera-
| tive need.
As he trundled his delicate burden
home. in the dusty barrow. all his
| thoughts were apparently bent on
| bring her additional pain.
Hatless. coatless, perspiring, on
| trudged the concerned Delos, and up
| to Judge PARIS summer cottage at
| last, to halt painting, weary and thank
| full.
"There!" he gasped 'I hope you
weren't much goggled. Call some one,
I'm going back to find my hat. You
when am presentable, 1 shall inquire
| for you. Let US hope nothing serious
will result from this experience 1t
was entirely my fault. Miss Barr"
'I'll forgive you. said the girl. 1t
was too dark for him to see her eyes:
! else disheveled as he was. he might
| have stayed.
Bearing his dusty coat over an arm
! he backed away with hssty word of
| farewell. and portly man strobe out
| to the piazza
Whats going OF here?" demanded
| a thunderous voice. Ara. child. 1hy,
is anything wrong?"
| Delos. in the darkness. heard the
4 t~I,e nd To
preciated the effort.
"Ohl I twisted my ankle, father. A
man was kind enough 70 wheel me
home He wouldn't stop to be thank
ed. guess you'll have to carry me
| in, father
A fortnight later Miss Seely had a
| from tho nudge