The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-08
THE EVENING STORY
Changing the Day.
(By RAYMOND CampbeIl.) )

there to indulge in a. refreshing glass OF
beer. The dinner rush was over, and he
was certain that no one would come now
until after the theaters let out.
| Meanwhile the two young people at
the table would surely chat for half an
hour or SO, which time Alphonse might
spend with profit in discussing with the
fat bartender certain nice points in the
mixing of cocktails.
| Meanwhile his two patrons slipped
their coffee and Sheldon lit the cigar
that Alphonse' had brought. When he
dined alone, the cigar came from the
corner box on the five-cent end, but
always brought "perfecto" from the
box in the ice chest with an elaborately
casual THE usual monsieur"
This was intended to impress the
guest with the belief that Sheldon hab-
Iftually smoked fat +'perfectos' with red
and gold sashes. Tonight Alphonse,s
elaborate politeness was ignored by the
usually. genial Sheldon.
! "Now for the news,' he began as the
waiter headed for the bar. II couldn't
wait for Saturday to tell you, though it
| is only two days off,
Isn't 1T funny that we always fall
back on Saturday -night,p commented
Bess. 81 don't know when we have
been out to dinner in the middle of the
| week"
Never, I guess agreed Sheldon.
I"You see, Saturday is a sort of holiday.
1 get my salary and you get your check
from the publishers, and we're both
happy and content. even if not in agree
ment."
1--WE would be in agreement if you
would only stop considering a proposal
as an essential feature of the Saturday
celebration" reminded Bess with a show
| of severity. You must go and spoil it
all by proposing, Fred, when I've told
you long ago that to marry would spoil
my career. 1 am making little name
for myself in the art world, and a can't
keep house and paint, too."
"And I've told you," retorted Fred,
''that I would not stop asking you to
marry me until you said yes 1 guess
I'VE proposed to you sixty times in the
last sixty weeks, Bess, and I'm good for
sixty times sixty, if have to hold out
that long"
"Did you ask me out to dinner to
propose to me?'' demanded Bess.
mot primarily he admitted. What
I wanted to tell you was that my big
chance has come at last. Benny Groll
has made a good contract, and he
needs a man to put a little money and
a lot of time into the business. L have
| more experience than money, but Ben
wants me, and he'll give me a half in
terest If I'll come in. It's what I've
| been working and waiting for ever
since I came to town, Bess, and this is
to celebrate my good luck
A slender hand was stretched across
the table and grasped his own.
Dear boy, am SO glad she said,
sincerely. You have worked hard
and you are entitled to your reward"
(Which is why am going to ask for
it," retorted Sheldon. at am going to
break my usual custom and propose
on Thursday instead of Saturday, Bess.
I want you to work for, dear. 1t will
be pretty hard camping out with the
construction gang and working on the
job with the field corps. I want to
feel that I have done another good
days work-for you
work, like virtue, should be its own
reward" paraphrased Bess. Sheldon
shook his head i'm patiently.
at know all that he said, 'fbut that |
sounds better than it works out. I
want to feel that when the JOB IS done:
and Gron & Sheldon become firm of
Importance. Mrs. Sheldon is proud of
what her husband has done"
"I shall always be proud Of what
you do, Fred" reminded Bess. 1--WE |
two are the only ones from the old
town in all this big city. We have
always been chums, and, of course. I
shall be proud of your great achieve |
ments.''
"That's not what want said Fred, |
impatiently. ''Of course, I am going |
after this chance. no matter what. and
I'll work as hard without your promise |
as with it, but it will lend sweetness
to the labor, Bess, if you tell me that
I may work for you.
won't you take a career by proxy, |
dear? Do you want to work to the end
of your days and live the loveless life?
Aren't there times when you want 70
give it all up, and just stop worrying
send, and canvases that don't sell, |
though you know that they are as good |
as some that bring big money? Don't |
you tire of your career sometimes, and
don't you feel as though it would be
nice to let some one else do the worry /
ing?"
'And if 1 do?' she asked, with cn odd |
little note in her voice.
Then let me carry the burden" he
pleaded. Let me do the planning Tor
you. In six months from now 1 shall
be at the top of the heap and making
you can make those six
months of toll very pleasant, dear, if
you will only listen to your heart-and
me-"
Il have listened to you," she reminded,
with a light laugh. 'Why. Freddy, there
has not been a Saturday night in more
than a year that you have not urged me
to marry you. I'd like to, dear, but
there is my career.
it worth all the worry and the contriv-
ing?"
Sheldon pressed the advantage.
wouldn't it be nice If you didn't
have to scrimp and scrape and plan
the spending of every penny?" he de-
manded. wouldn't it be nice to have
a real home instead of A three-room
flat-to eat regular meals instead of
chafing-dish messes and towel, to
instead of just Saturdays? 1t would be
our own own table, too' he reminded,
land not table d'hote."
PERHAPS.
to lean across the table to catch the
whispered word, but he did catch it. and
his face beamed satisfaction.
''And you will marry me?'' he cried
deightedly.
lxpav that the coveted answer had been