The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-30

| his "old mans disappointment in him
came to his real heart. He wished he
could take up the business. Was this
study really what he wanted? Then ne.
| fdle-rninded and angry at himself for
being So wondered If the falling shade
| had hurt that girl in the library more
| than she said. And it occurred TO him
that he was rather brutal in his mat
And in that moment of thought she
came graciously before his mental VS.
ion-no longer the librarian. Sne was
henceforth a girl.
He STAYED at home the next day, Put
ting what matter he had into shape.
but tho following day he went ana
walked straight up to the desk.
GOOD morning" he said, actuaHJ
seeing the fresh glow of her cheek
Her surprised brown eyes looked up
at him, and we're suddenly shy. He nao
the same feeling that had made MN
lean over her flowers a few days Pc
fore For a moment he was silent, but
she bridged the gap with woman
ready word.
Were you'll yesterd1y?" So she
had noticed his unusual absence! a
forgotten CLEAN Of humor rose in his
face, hiding his pleasure.
do 1 look like an invalid2"
She suddenly realized how very Dig:
how much of a man he was. he nel1
his glasses in one hand, ana toSseo
back his head.
s'You look like a squad man who neg
lects his exercise shamcfully; It's a
disgrace to the collegeIstooping snoui-
ders, and pale with night work. Wnat
dusty, duh, old book do you want this
morning.?
IIe named it. But he also laughed;
She gave him what he wanted ana
mind seemed to wander. Hers stayed
just where it had been-upon him
And yet people speak of women's lack
CT concentration.
thesis and sent it to typist he also
received a letter from his father set
ting forth his kind desire to have his
son give a final thought about the
| hardly more, took the letter, and.
| though It was cloudy, set out for q
| walk on the hills. 1t was Sunday AMI
very peaceful. He wanted to think II
he had known his own mind 1t would
have been easy, but he didn't. He had
walked miles, circling about, when al
most without warning, sudden silver
| rain poured down, and he took run
| for the biggest tree, an enormous OAK
Turning up his collar, he ran, half
closing his eyes from the beating drops.
| LIE reached the tree, and, going quick
| ly around the rough trunk to the
| sheltered side, ran headlong into the
| little librarian-or, rather, the girl. He
knew she was that, because she was
frightened and gave a little scream OF
terror. But she shrank toward him.
And to convince her that 1t was only
| himself and not a person of evil intent,
| he took her promptly into his arms.
| 1t was very simple thing to do, re-
quiring neither study nor thoughts
was like breathing. Furthermore, 1t
must have been the right thing, be-
| cause she liked it. At least she did not
| try to get away. That was most kind
Of her, so he kissed her. And people
who kiss should be engaged. One step
| leads to another. And just here an
hour or two elapsed. No one knows
| just how long, but the rain had stopped
| and the sun was out again when they
| started for home. Strangely enough,
| the matter of the business had settled
| itself. A partnership in a fine business
| is better than a Harvard fellowship
for supporting a wife. But he was
| ready, the thesis was done. The girl
was found and captured. 1t was the
beginning of life-the real commence
ment Of Copyrighted, 1910, by
| Associated-Ldterary Press.)