The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-21
TIE EVENING STORY
Jimnly,s Opportunitr.

49,, DOoS was against him. he toiC
himsef, and in that sweeping gener
alzatIon he included even Carroll. FNo1
II II had not been for CarrolI's con.
nlVance, her tame submission to tn,
iianeuVers OF interfering relatives, tho
w., t us Whlch mad trembled on his lip:
been spoken long ago.
rIon standpoint of a disinteresteo
spectator, Jimmy was ready to admire
eiIe cleVerness which so far had cir
CuIhVented him. Good team work. =
ne denominated it. The ingenious ali
with which Grandmother REYNOLDS
would appear to claim CAROLS as
ISSUANCE In regard to a dropped stitch
IN ner knitting, just when Jimmy was
bringing matters to a climax and Car
ron was turning a most becoming pink
was only equaled by the childlike in
nocence with which CarrolIs small
lorary with bloody handkerchief
held to his nose interrupting an elo-
quent outbreak beginning 'Since the
1lrst hour l saw you"
In Jimmy's estimation this was all
the harder to bear because he was so
perfectly eligible. Character and pros
poets aiIke were beyond question. The
most serious accusation that could be
brought against the match was that
both of them were Young CARROTS
sister. Marie, was of the opinion that
an engagement would be absurd, and
jimmy thought he knew why If
George Freeman, Marie's latest ad-
m1rer, had been as eager to propose
as Jimmy was, the latter Young man
1elt positive that no obstacles would be
put in his way
With duplicity foreign to his
usually frank nature, Jimmy lost no
opportunity OF expressing to Freeman
the admiration with which Marie in
spired him. If the older sister were
once engaged, or better still. married,
Jimmy believed there would be hope
for him.
Meanwhile the family opposition
showed itself in a system of espion-
age which kept Jimmy's great avowa1
unspoken- If he suggested a walk, eth
er mrs Reynolds declared that Car
RON cold would not permit her to
venture out, or Marie invited herself
to accompany them. If the theatre. a
chaperon was necessary. Whole-souled
cooperation on Carroll's part would
have relieved the situation but the
girl knew so well what Jimmy wanted
that her modestY shrank from giving
him anything but the most negative
assistance. Accordingly Jimmy decided
that she, too, was against him, and
gave himself up to thoughts of unut-
terable gloom.
He called one afternoon wearing an
expression of grim determination,
which. if he had known it, put the
on their guard. He was
ushered into the family living room
and Mrs. Reynolds entertained him till
Carroll came down. Jimmy made a
few inane comments on the weather,
his eyes devouring the pretty girIish
figure seated demurely in the opposite
corner.
IT'S too fine a day for the house"
said Jimmy. Suppose we take a little
Really. Carroll, dear" said Mrs.
Reynolds, before Carroll could reply.
sit won't do for you to leave the
house. Mrs. Baker is likely to want
you any moment: We have a dress
maker here, Mr. Fitzgerald,' she con-
-inued, turning to Jimmy with her
most charming smile
Cant we sit on the piazza sug-
sested Jimmy Carroll agreed to the
suggestion. But, as it proved. her
IF the hammock, and he remained for
.wo hours, enlivening the occasion by
describing the exploits of the ball
cam.
An ear-splitting whistle in the rear
IF the house relieved them at length
If Bob's company. without delay Jim
ny plunged into the subject uppermost
n his mind.
Carroll, there's something I want
% say to you"
Carroll, Mrs. Baker is ready for
you." said Maries voice behind the
oarlor shutters. That she had been
Waiting there, hiding her time. Jimmy
Gould not doubt Then the gate click
walk. He settled himself in the chair
Carroll had vacated, and he and Jim
ny talked politics till dinner time.
The young man refused an invita-
ion to remain to dinner. He went away
With a lowering brow and a heavy
leart. But at half-past that even
ng the telephone bell rang. Interrupt
ing game of bridge going on in the
nsistent instrument, pushed back her |
hair and went to answer the sum
mons.
"HeHo-hello. oh. yes. this is Car
OIL She turned pretty flushed face
oward the three at the card table. |
Please don't talk for a minute. |
ant hear"
The next minute she heard very dis |
inctly. for the room had become alb
olutely still and the voice at the 9TH
r end of the wire was clear and pene-
rating.
''This is Jimmy Carroll. There's
I've been trying to say to
GU for three months. And I'm go
lg to say it now"
''Why. don't SEQ"
"Well. it doesn't matter whether
GU see or not. Just listen. Ever since
met you on Phil Reynolds yacht a
rst hour
80, hush."
I'm not going to hush. I think
bout you every mi minute ute, while I'm
nd 1 shan't be. till 1 find out wheth-
r you care for me or not. And if you
ont, I'm going to the Philippines or
omeWhere.'
Don't talk so loud"
81 don't care who hears me. I've
ept it to myself just as long as I can.
arroll, darling, can't you care for me
little?
Ssh, Come tomorrow"
'T'n come tomorrow fast enough if
0u tell me what I want to hear.
aven't been coming day by day for
ionths without getting a chance to
III you that I love the very ground
)u walk on? And now I've got it I'm
ping to wait till you say yes or no.
you can't love me 1 might as well