The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-29
THE EVENING STORY
Paul Conoverss Angel.
(By Gerald Prime.)

Commencement was over. Still in
academic cap and gown, Paul Con-
over sat. pensive and alone. in the
little dormitory quarters which had
sheltered him for the past four years.
The roll of parchment which empow-
cred him to write the coveted A. B.
after his name rested on the table be-
side him.
There were few evidences of COM
Portable living about the place. The
authorities could be made attractive
only by effective draperies, and they
were wanting. An unrestful looking
couch, a table strewn with textbooks
and lesson papers, two chairs-there
was little else.
But It had been home to Paul Con-
over and he had no other. When he
had matriculated, four years before,
he had in his possession a sum Of
money that would not have been suf-
classmates through single semester.
1t had been his sole inheritance from
his fathers estate and it had been the
dead mans last counsel that it should
be used as it had been.
The newly made A. r. put his hand
In his pocket and drew forth his re-
naming. capital. He knew what it
was without further reckoning for
he had watched it dwindle day after
day with an interest that took large
ly from the anticipated joy of COM
mencement week. He had in cash
precisely 81 cents-a bright quarter
and two dingy pennies. Besides his
diploma, his scant wardrobe and
fewer personal belongings than are
the property of most college men, this
remainder of 81 cents represented his
entire available assets.
All? No, there was something
more. He had been appointed to the
Simeon Goodboy fellowship, and the
annual stipend amounted to $650.5O.
This, however, would not be available
him with sudden disgust that old
Simeon Goodboy had shackled his
foundation with an absurd condition
the appointee to It's benefits must
engage IN no other occupation on
pain of instant forfeiture! Paul burst
into a loud guffaw at thought of it.
but it was guffaw without mer-
riment.
So it seemed to old Aileen. the DOR
rnitory scrubwoman,- who was maxi
building for the college year. She
didn't sli<es the ring of it. and she
halted at PauPs door to tel: him so.r
Twas the laugh of a ghost, Mr..
Conover, and little better" She de-
clared. (" Twas not a bit like the
laugh of man that has finished his
job
you've finished yours, Aileen. for
the year. and don't hear you laugh
to be feeling especially jolly"
"Then I'm not. Mr.. Conover." the
old woman returned promptly.
Neither would you if you hadn't
been able to lay by a cent and your
work was over for the summer"
Cant you get other work 2"
to take no other jobs while I held
this one"
At this Paul broke into a laugh SO
genuine that old Aileen could find
no fault with it. 1t was SO like the
ridiculous condition imposed by the
Fellowship that. moved by a suddenI
whimsical inspiration, he told her the
whole story and did not fail to call
attention to their singular plights. The
old woman appreciated the humor of
him in his estimate of the Assurances
of those who impose fmpracticable
conditions.
what are you going to. do?'' she
asked him when he had begun to look
serious agin.
piled cheerfully.
"No." she said, shaking her head
decidedly, and looking almost fierce
in her disapproval. Don't you do 1t, |
Mr.. Conover. Them honors don't
come along every day. When you
get one you ought to hang onto it. |
Don't you do lick to spoil that fell
lowship.''
.'ATl right, then. I'll settle down and
live on my -principal-27 cents" he
laughed.
Cant you borrow little?" she
suggested.
Il haven't a friend in the world but
you," he declared truly enough
I'D let you have it myself; only
Won Ailaen- I'm sure Won 4
would" he said.
ssIf wishes was fishes how full the
sea'd be- she observed pertfnently.
mo. I hain't got the money. but I'm
them fellowship fellows hear of your
getting any outside job"
''I'1l try to keep Close" he promis-1
ed, with q wise look.
''See that you do" she warned, with
an answering look which waas quite as
goodbye, and good luck to you.'
Take this. 4-ileen.' he said. hand
ing her the shining quarter.
THANK, you. SIR" she returned,
forget my advice
Aileen was a woman who possessed
a very elastic conscience so far as
exactness of speech was concerned.
Her statement that she was prohibited
from working outside of the college
precincts was purely imaginative. In
stead of returning home after her
with Paul Conover she
went to a little apartment in the
belonging to a couple
of business girls and proceeded to tidy
up the place, as was her midweek
custom, at an honorarium of 90 cents
an hour. Before she had finished. one
of the young women, Miss Betty San
derson, who was a first reader of
in leading publishing
house, came in. weary and flushed.
and threw herself down on couch
with a big sigh over the general
of things.
@I wonder If it's really worth while,
she groaned despendently.
"It certainly is. Miss Betty-at your
salary" the old woman declared with
out hesitation
At this Miss Betty laughed. III