The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-27

returned to the Office for his check, and
though the boss was not there he Knew
it was likely to be his last VS. from
that source. He would be fired Monday
He set his teeth.
Just as he came out, Fannie was
leaving. too. and a certain gay bold
ness came over him. He was only "a
and he had $50 in his pocket, and his
rent paid a month. But he had never
in his life had a good time. He had
no vices, no debts-but he had never
had a girl.
He followed the girl and overlook
her. She did not shrink from him as
she would have from some Of the men
his face was kind and good-and lone
ly. He surprised himself in what he
said.
Wort you go to supper with me
and then out to the park? There's
good. I'm nearly crazy with being
alone. VIII your
The girl hesitated q moment and
then consented.
self-and-I don't know what" she
said. Unless I get the housekeeping
position. But II I have to do that,
will at least have q good time tonight
end forget about it until 1t has to
come"
Youth is blessed, despairins, tragic,
happy thing. These two ate in a good
little cafe. They took a summer car
to the park; they laughed at the ira
ditional fun of the vaudeville perform
ance. Finally, rather late. they walk
ed homo to her bleak, hot boarding
house. And when the girl said good
night. she had promised to give him
Ter Sunday afternoon and evening.
That Sunday-well, the boy and girl
freed themselves Of the ingrowing lone
illness that had been feeding upon them.
Each told the other his past, his pres
ent-
were engaged. The next morning Jones
went to the office as usual. and since
the boss was absent for the moment,
he went to work as usual. At noon he
took the girl to lunch, and they went
to the court house and had q long talk.
Then she went back to her boarding
place-and he went to work again
this time with q will, with light in his
eye, and love in his smile. He loved
the world, and the world, always re-
body he approached subscribed for the
paper. Courage rode so high in his
| heart that he went back to the office
with the spoils of the day. He had for
gotten the boss.
But the boss remembered. He saw
Jones and called him to the desk.
You're fired" he said briefly.
Jones's anger and his courage rose
| IT won't be fired" he said firmly but
respectfully. at the same time turning
| brace-this is today's work-more than
I've done in two weeks. And besides
I'm going to be married tonfght-and I
simply can't be fired. Give me another
week, won't your"
| The boss growled. Impudence of the
right sort always pleased him. And
could there be greater impudence than
a youngster, as good as fired, taking a
wife to himself, and refusing to go?
| He asked who the girl was.
Miss Morris. She's got to be taken
| care of-even in the dull summer
months-and the contract to do 1t looks
good to me. I've got the license here"
The boss nodded. Then he nodded
| again; then he spoke slowly.
1.-THE matter with most fellows" he
remarked dryly, lis either too much
calico or too little. see you've had too
little. Do you suppose you two can
live on twenty-five a week?"
Jones rather thought he could.
When he had been decent about IL to
! the BIS he ran to Fannie with his
news-breathless1y. boyishly.
ooh, Alfred" she said, ''oh, Alfie!"
| She put her arms about his neck. He
was no longer just "Jones'-He was
| called by his name.-(Copyrighted 1910,
by Associated Literary Press.)