The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-24
THE EVENING STORY
On Track No. 8.
[By Edith S. Speed.l

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| The girls hand lowered over the
magazines on the news stand. Sud
denly it was arrested, her body straight
ened slightly; then, gradually, she
turned her head and from the corner
| of her eye glanced at young man
who had just passed. He was dapper
in his fur-trimmed overcoat and stood
| leaning against a corner of the stand
/ smoking. His attitude was jaunty and
careless; altogether with his rudy
complexion and humorous dark eyes he
seemed almost handsome.
The girl looked at him for a mo-
ment, but her searching gaze covered
every detail of his face and costume.
| Then, with a satisfied expression, she
| returned to her magazines, chose the
/ one she wanted, paid for it and walk
another glance in the direction Of the
young man.
! A local train had just arrived and
for a few minutes she stood Idly
| walked out into the train shed and
eagerly scanned a blackboard bulletin.
| Upon it was written, Albany express,
20 minutes late, arriving on track 8"
| The gate to the track was open, she
| passed through it and strolled leisure
~ up to the narrow platform.
| The young man in the fur-trimmed
| overcoat was sitting upon a baggage
| truck. The girl passed him and con-
| tinued her walk along the platform.
| Presently she stopped, turned up the
| collar of her coat and holding her muff
to her face, rubbed the soft fur against
! her cheek The coat fitted a figure
of most attractive proportions, girlish
! and slight but perfect in contour. Her
| brown felt hat with its long willow
plume shaded a pair of roguish gray
eyes. Her short brown cloth skirt re-
vealed well shod feet.
So pretty a person in so smart a
costume no man Willing away 20 min
! utes would allow to escape without a
close-if polite-scrutiny. The man on
the baggage truck arose and sauntered
| along in her direction. She kept her
back toward him until he had passed,
| then she turned and walked to the up
per end of the train shed. Her eyes
became possessed with a mischievous
twinkle, and, as she stopped and watch
ed the empty cars being shunted about
the yard, she laughed softly to herself.
In a few minutes he had come up to
her, stopped and looked up the track.
She looked frankly at him and took a
few steps in his direction.
Gould you tell me if the train from
Albany comes in on this track?' she
asked.
He lifted. his hat. concealed his sur
prise, and answered: Yes this track
NO. 81
She gave him a little nod and a smile
of thanks and walked slowly away.
His hand quickly sought his collar;
he Strengthened his tie, smoothed
back his hair, threw away his cigarette
and strode after her.
About midway down the platform
she stopped and was busily watching
the long train of cars that was pulling
out on the opposite track as he came
up to her. He was about to pass when
she smiled at him.
ut is cold, isn't it?" he remarked
kicking his heels together on the plat
form.
yes. indeed" she said "I believe
this station is the coolest place in the
whole world. 1t always seems ten
degrees colder than it does outdoors
He smiled slightly, hoping that she
would say something more, for hel
voice was the deepest and richest he
had ever heard. At the same time, he
could not help wondering why she
spoke to him so unconventionaIly.
''I suppose it is warmer in the wait
ing room" she continued, but l an
afraid the train would come in without
my knowing it. You never can make
out what the man with the megaphone
says, and they are always so snippy
about what they do know"
That's true he assented- 81 re-
manned out here to smoke"
She glanced down at his hand and
noticed that it was empty.
Don't stop on my account; l do no.
mind it," she said.
"Thank you. I need something to
keep me warm besides looking at you
Your fur coat looks very coy.
! She looked at him for a second ano
drowned slightly, then she took steI
to the side of the track.
"Oh, 1 wish it would hurry" she
spoke as If to herself.
Are you expecting some one?" ht
asked.
Fortunate mani
''Who said it was a MANI" she asked
quickly.
pecting a man.
From Albany?' she quer1ed.
Yes he answered.
do you know many persons there?'
mot many. And you?"
"Oh, yes, L have a great many
friend in Albany" she informed him
And then. hesitating, my f1ance live:
. there" Dimples dotted her cheeks
bewitchingly, as she spoke.
For a few moments he gazed absent
" down the track. Disappointment
was written upon his face. That thi:
pretty girl, who was so fascinating anc
had interested him, was engaged
seemed to truly discomfort him Blu
when he spoke he had regained hi
jovial manner
HE won't brighten me, will hep" ht
asked lightly
her he thought he had never seen {
| prettier pair of eyes, all life and vi
vacity
Il fancy 1 know him. he hazarded
"Oh, do you?" she asked who Il
. hep
/ ''I mean, may be acquainted will
him. met several men at college
She smiled. But considering Al