The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-28
THE EVENING STORY
On the Roof.
IA SAAO 4SOO4s
(By Harriet Lummis Smith

look at the city from the top Of the Sc
curities building. It's worth seeing, you
know"
Prudence should have vetoed the sug-
gestion. For the longer half OF the
bnssfuI afternoon Viola had been aware
that Raymond's eyes were saying moro
than they should, and that their mute
eloQuence was singularly sweet and sat
isfying. Considerin~ the fact that she
was as good as engaged to another
man, discretion counseled flight A
voice within. an authoritative voice,
cried out that at the best the day would
soon be over. and urged her to make
Viola compromised. "Mr. Raymond
suggests our getting view OF the city
from the top of one Of he skyscrapers,"
guests. IF you are not too tired"
And her heart leaped at the prompt
ness Of their protests.
She walked beside Raymond silently,
ing to say. She was frightened to find
herself clinging so flercely to the joy of
that afternoon together. He had come
upon them quite by accident, but Viola
knew that but for her he would have
lifted his hat and gone his way. This
gladness that 1eaped to her eyes at the
sight of him, the tremor in her voice
as she spoke his name, had been his
and taken a drive along the boulevard.
Viola's countr-- cousins had had the
time Of their lives And now the west
ern sky was red, and the time for say
Ing good-by was near.
They stood looking down upon the
city. Raymond, as in duty bound,
pointed out the objects Of interest. The
country cousins hung upon his words,
and declared that they would not have
missed the sight for anything. AS for
Viola, she had no eyes for the crawl
ing streets between the steep cliffs of
brick and stone. nor for the crawling
creatures far below. Brazenly. she
Toasted her eyes upon him.
He turned suddenly and looked into
her eyes, and his own caught fire. A
moment later they were standing to-
gether in an angle of the roof. sheltered
from the view of their companions
The noise of the city below them
seemed far away.
Raymond broke the spell by a down.
ward gesture. II wish It were all mine"
you mean the whole town? What
greedfnessP' she laughed.
80 that could give 1t all to YOU"
THANK you, but I'm not ambitious to |
be plutocrat. OF course one must
have the things one is used to. Pow
erty is the worst of all''
els it?'' His eyes challenged hers
20. don't. You make 1t so hard for |
"You make it hard for YOURSELF
when you fight against your heart"
20, you don't understand, Phil. It |
isn't as If had only myself to think |
DO you ever give a thought to me?"
She put her hands over her ears in |
sudden tremor. If she listened longer
she was lost. 81 must co. she said |
hurriedly. rive stayed longer than I
should, but it was SO pleasant She
turned in panic and fied across the
roof, and he followed slowly. When he
overlook her, her eyes We're di1ated.
They're gomez she gasped.
why, Leonard and Bessie What
could have induced them to go without
us?"
'I don't know. I'm sure. But they
will be waiting for US below, without
doubt"
He tried the door. ratified the knob
sharply, and met her questioning gaze
with With ;; a blank stare; We're locked up
laughed hysterlcally, he added in haste,
Don't be frightened. It will be very
easy to attract some ones attention"
Half an hour later, flushed and drip
ping. with perspiration, as a result of
his fruitless exertion, he acknowledged
his mistake. your cousins must have
thought we. had gone down before
them. But after they get home, and we
fail to make our appearance, 1t will OF
course occur to somebody that we're
still up here. And the only thing to d.
Is to resign ourselves to wait with what
patience we can muster"
She looked at him reproachfully, but
ne did not meet her eyes. He sat some
distance from her. staring rnoodily at
he roof. Furtively. Viola put back her
reil and smoothed her hair. Apparent
y her appearance was to him a matter
If complete difference. He never turn
ID his eyes.
Her sense of resentment found voice
It last. Are you going to sit here in
absolute silence? Haven't you any,
hing to say?"
ct have plenty to say. But I can't I
ay it without taking advantage OF the
ituation'
A long silence Then Raymond felt ,
he slipping of a small hand down his ;
leeve. IT rather think. Phil" said a
remulous voice. that I want you to
AXE advantage Of the situation"
Help was long in coming. As the
fell Viola drew closer, and
Ter hand stole into his of it's own
Lccord.
It was a night without a star, and for
When suddenly a binding illumination
1t up the space where they sat. Viola {
hrieked and hid her face on her low
RS shoulder.
"Only a searchlight. dearest. Rather
tartling, on this pitch black night, ,
wasn't it?'
Viola blushed in his arms. "Phil-l
10 you suppose anybody-saw?" 4
The young man smiled. Perhaps"
lie acknowledged. I'm fact little girl, I
ather hope somebody did,
Fifteen or 20 minutes later the sound
4 approaching footsteps told them that t
elease was at hand. Raymond shouted. I
There was sound of a key turning
n the lock A grinning policeman and i
he watchn1aE of the building confront {
d them. Explanations were exchanged.
The elevator had stopped running at 8
'clock, and the two young people de- :
cended the endless flights of stairs as .
Hthely as If they were walking on