The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-09
The EVENING STORY
His Lucky Lean.
(By Annette Dumois. }

When Rud Grayson, the big center
rush OF the Crescent team, toppIed
IKE railing tree with his full, hard,
punched $50 pounds on top of Don
Ia1dIaw, there was a howl of joy from
Grayson's side, for with the downfall
or Laidlaw the Scythian team was
doomed.
That night the spectators of the
great event of the upper ten athletic
season went home we'll pleased that
they had seen a desperate and perfect
game. But Don Laidlaw was left a
wreck for life by it, Something had
happened to his back. What the
something" was, the doctors and sur
geons didn't seem able to say. At any
rate; they agreed that probably he
would never walk again unless ''some-
thing" favorable happened-and that
was not at all likely.
Life is full of sarcasms and this
seems to be one of them" murmured
Laidlaw, despite his illness still a fine
looking young fellow as he was being
propelled down the avenue in an in
valid's chair.
He turned to the attendant and
said:
"Wheel me into that sunny corner,
and then run over to the library and
fill this list; there, that's something
like it; this wind cuts like a knife"
Laidlaw watched the man disappear
around the corner with sense of irri-
tation foreign to his hitherto bold and
almost cheerful acceptance of fate.
Hang it all! I wish there was
some artistic way of leaving this
world" he muttered "Who would
have thought one short year would
make such a change in ones pros
poets? Then full of life and pluck,
and nova husky babe in a perambu-
lator!" He laughed in spite of his
fit of dependency.
The laugh vanished almost at once.
He was thinking-and thinking hard.
He always did think of that same one
thing-of the girl to whom he had in
tended to propose on the very night
of the game.
"Kismet!" muttered he "I wonder
if she cares-much? She is sympa-
thetic when we meet, and in a man
ner that doesn't sting. Bless her! To
think that that's all over now!" and
Don sighed heavily over his blasted
hopes.
"Oho-ho! What a funny baby car
riage! Amt you dot any tootsies' Mis-
ter MANI" piped a little voice.
Laidlaw turned his head quickly. A
golden-haired tot stood close beside
him: her big brown eyes, with golden
lights in them, gazed wonderingly with
to his astonished grey eyes.
Laidlaw was fond of children and
she was a welcome interruption to his
thoughts. He answered cheerily:
from? You'll catch your death out
here without a hat and those bare
legs" noticing the blue flesh above
the tiny white socks. where's your
nurse or whoever has you in tow?'
cover dere,' answered the baby
vaguely, pointing across the park that
ran down the middle of the broad aV-
enue.
Don, "and when James comes back
you shall have a ride in my go-cart"
'Iet me see 'en1," persisted the
mite
"Footsies!" replied the infant. |
"Oh! nv feet? Yes, I've got feet, |
though they're not much use at pres |
ent.' Laidlaw pulled the rug aside |
''Now, are you satisfied, my lady
She surveyed his number mines ap-
provfngly and said: "Dess me come
now" and climbed into his lap.
In the midst of an interesting con-
versation, Toodles, as she called her
SELF said abruptly, "Sissie dot you on
her tabo!'
"Ohl has she, What on earth is
a tabor" queried Laidlaw.
'tOn her tabo, we're she does her hair
here" and she patted his shoulders;
IAN wood sings down dere," rubbing
her plump little knees.
"Oh, a picture of me in football !
togs, I suppose. What is Sissy's
name?" asked LaidiaW; Laid g r,rsie,
Doodby!" she interrupted, and, sliding
from his lap, ran toward the park.
AS she reached the middle of the
street her wee sandal came off.
Laughingly she held it up to Don.
making a pretty picture as she stood
in the sunlight.
At that instant thunderous "chug
reached Laidlaw's ear.
With unspeakable horror the helpless
man saw a runaway touring car, with
a whitefaced chauffeur yanking des-
perately at the wheel, bearing down
upon her.
run, baby, rum" shrieked the
young man: but Toodles never moved. /
With an awful wrench that seemed
to tear soul and body apart Laidlaw
got on his feet. stumbling and stag
gering toward the child.
A long reach, quick clutch and
he rolled over against the curb with
the little one safe in his arms just as
the monster thundered past:
Presently he drew himself up onto
the curbing and tried to soothe the
Toodles.
s'Nassy sing get babyi'' she sobbed.
''Thank God, it didn't" said Laid
law fervently, trembling violently with
the reaction, while the pain in his
back shot and stung and ragged
his nerves and brain like
white-hot irons
"Mercy! Mercy on mel" cried the
nurse. as he reached them "You
have saved her, sir! Oh, how can I
thank you? ?" and she hugged the child
passionately to her. Naughty baby!
What is the name of the gentleman
that I may tell 1t to Nine. vernon ??
she pleaded.
ssNever mind" answered Laid1aw {
hastily. "Take Toodles home now. I'll {
come to see you some day, little one"
he added as he kissed the red lips.
'Vernon? So that is Maude's baby s
sister She was a nondescript bunch
of white clothes the last time I saw Y
her And 'Sissie' has my picture on {
her stabo' Oh, pshaw, that doesn't {
sipnif1, ANYTHING. !