The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-17
The EVENING STORY
"CoId AfoIasses.v
(By Belle Maniafesl

<hAO10SSCSs
(By Belle ManiatesO
There was to be a lean wear dance
down at the Corners. and consequent
~ all the young men in the vicinity
wore half receptive half sheepish
air: Two of them, Warren Youngs
ana arthur Haskell. rivals for the af-
fections of Hetty Lane, were in a
state OF great anxiety. Hitherto odds
mad been even, but now surely Hetty
must needs show her hand and the
man who was invited to the dance
would have reason to believe himself
to be the favored one.
detty was wise and willy. Warren
mad the fastest horse in the county
and Arthur was going to buy an auto
mobile in the spring. So she did not
Tor some time yet. Besides, she real
iy didn't know which one she liked
the better, SO she decided to invite a
third young man.
1T doesn't really matter whom I
go with" she reflected, "for once
there L can dance with any one 1
choose. 1 have a great mind to ask
John Wylie. It would be such a sur
prise to every one, and it might be a
Kindness to him, for I don't believe
he has ever been to a party. and no
one else will ask him. He has never
taken girl anywhere"
She put her idea into execution.
John was quite overwhelmed at the
honor.
1T isn't joke, is it, Hetty?" he
asked wistfully.
John - she exclaimed reproachful-
~. We'll, might as well tell you
frankly that I didn't want to make
Art or Warren mad by inviting either,
so Il"
Compromised he finished, smil-
ing. well, Hetty, I feel honored even
to be compromise, and I should be
delighted to go with you, but I have
rers@ -
Il didn't suppose you did, John, but
! thought maybe you'd like to go and
hear the music and sit out some
dances with me-
"Of course, would he said, flush
ing and looking down into her daz-
zling eyes.
Johns good looking. even if he is
big and clumsy" she reflected as she
returned home.
On the way she met two girls.
Who are you going to invite,
Hetty?" asked one of them eagerly.
81 have already invited she re-
piled. 81 asked John Wylie.''
They both laughed hilariously. Don't
fool Hetty. Tell us who, Warren or
Arthur"
and he has accepted
why, Hetty. whatever has possess
ed you? should as soon think of TAX
ing an elephant
L ike 0lGpndnIS, she repueQ.
But, Hetty. they call him Cold Mo-
lasses' because he is so slow. You
won't get there till the party is over
'Molasses melts at times, you know"
Hetty tripped away. giggling at the
sensation she was going to create.
well Hetty,'' asked her father at
supper, "who are you going to take to
the dance-Art or WARREN"
Neither. father. I have asked John
Wylie,'' she replied, preparing herself
for lecture on flirting.
To her surprise. her fathers face was
full of approval.
"Weli, Hetty. 1 am glad you are get
ting sensible at last. John Wylie is as
good as gold. He's little SLOW"
Yes: they call him Cold Molasses'
1T isn't always the fastest that
make good
Warren and Arthur were not at all
disturbed when they heard Hetty was
going to the dance with "Cold Mo-
lasses." They did not fear such a
rival. At the party Hetty put her
name down in four spaces on Johns
program.
Wont you ask me for more?' he
pleaded.
John. You mustn't ask for Dances"
She was at a loss to know what to
talk about when she came to sit out
the first dance with him, but he began
the conversation.
"I'm like a bull in a china shop at a
party. Hetty, but I'm glad I am here,
and 1 want to give you a pleasure in
return. May II"
Certainly she replied. hoping he
would not ask her to ride after his
sauntering old mare
Il can give you faster ride than
either Art or Warren cam" he said
proudly.
"Oh, have you got new horse.
John?"
mot a horse Keep ON guessing"
AN automobile?'
Balloon"
"No"
"Wen, 1 give up, john
81 don't believe I'll tell you just yet.
Not until you are sitting out the hrtn
dance with me-
John isn't SO slowH' she thought, AS
she took his program and wrote her
name once more.
When the fifth dance came he asked
her if she wouldn't enjoy it more 20
have it a surprise until it materialized.
''I'll come over tomorrow afternoon ana
take you to it,
When he called the next day he didn't
drive the old mare.
This looks like Warren's horse" said
Hetty as she got into the sleigh
at is" he replied, touching up the
horse. ST borrowed it because I heard
you couldn't bear to ride behind SLOW
horse"
"Did Warren know you were going to
take me riding?"
He looked at her in surprise. why
no." he replied. HE would have made
some excuse not to lend it to me II he
had known that"
And they call John SLOW" she
thought with a smile.
They drove five miles to farm house
where some of Johns friends lived. He
left the horse and sleigh in the barn
and then escorted Hetty down to
lake.
Here, he said. 1--WE can have the
sport love-
In a few moments she was enjoying
her first ride on an iceboat.
"John," she cried, ecstatically,
there's nothing like it, is there?"
Except sailing" he replied. 81 come
here for my recreation in summer and
winter
4