The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-29
The EVENING STORY

(By lola Forester. }

! AAC Nl4AQ Inc door
with bang, and almost swept it out
OF the girls grasp. Harvey sat at the
nearest table, moody and tired in every
nerve, but he sprang forward and
! heIped her to close it. She laughed
up at him, with a murmured word of
thanks. and he returned to his lone
some dinner with vivid impression
OF pink cheeks, gray eyes and brown
fur of her cap.
Surely the plump German waitress
was Cupids side partner. Deity she
moved back chair invitingly, and
the girl sank into it, facing Harvey.
Just bring me a real Thanksgiving
dinner, please said the newcomer,
putting back her veil with a little ges-
ture of relief, and scattering some
snowfiakes thereby. Anything, as long
as it's all Thanksgiving Filings. oh,
and please, l do want a WishbOne."
Harvey was very good, considering
lie hardly looked at her until the
waitress came back and announced
that it was very late, dinner was over,
and the last Wishbone had been given
to the gentleman.
Guilty Harvey glanced at his platter.
There it was, undeniably-the wish
bonet And she wanted it. He lifted
the fork invitingly, as soon as the
waitress had gone.
Wont you let me give it to you -
She flushed and smiled
oh, no, thanks. It was only a bit
OF foolishness on my part. Tits my
and always have the wishbone there
and SO I asked for it=habit, I guess .
Mother always gives it to me when
m home, too said Harvey, brighten
Ing up. Reward of merit, perhaps
Please take it. I tell you, you take
it and nibble all the meat off. and
polish it up and We'll break it and
wish. That's fair, isn't it?''
WILL
She accepted it doubtfully. and Har-
vey felt inordinately happy. He had
been up all night working on a heavy
assignment. then had put in the morn
ing at scheduled routine work, and his
mead felt light He lOnged for the
breath of adventure. and 10, it had
blown in on him in a gust.
III bet my share of the wishbone,"
he put in presently, that you're not
New Yorker
1.-The wishbone remains unbroken on
that" she laughed back. I'm from
From Tennessee. and spending
Thanksgiving all alone on Park place,
New York What's the answer ?''
was on my way to the elevated
Holidays make no difference with my
work 1 am private secretary. and
had to clear up the days correspond
ence, turkey or no turkey
My names Wilfred Harvey I'm
over on the Daily Grind as special gal
ley slave That isn't a joke. I'm so
tired I can hardly talk straight. Do
you mind You'll vanish in a few
anyway 1 may as well talk
While / can"
She looked down at her plate.
Indeed. l do not mind. We have
the place here all to ourselves. Think
how lonely it would have been if
had been the only one here
Don't you like to tell your name p |
Swiftly the lashes raised, and she |
laughed at him. He was more boyish |
than she had thought, assuredly just a |
boy from out of town, with a fresh |
clear-cut face.
Why of course. if you want to
know-Nan Farnslee."
"Fine!" he said IF I had two
wishbones, I'd trade you another just |
for the chance to call you Nan for |
fifteen minutes, to make believe you |
were my fourth cousin, don't you |
know? A fellow always takes in his
pretty fourth cousin to dinner on |
Thanksgiving if he gets the chance"
Don't you love to tell where you're
from % she asked, half shyly.
oh, by Jove, you had me. didn't
you? I'm from New Hampshire. Here
I'll put the salt cellar on the Mason
and Dixon line. But look out! I'm
going to march over it,
She laughed at the absurdity of his
move, and then sighed.
How queer it is to eat Thanksgiving
dinner this way. when 1 never saw you
n my life BEFORE"
protest. m not queer at all
larry credentials of all kinds Want
% see them? I'm twenty-five, been
n New York four months, and am so
1oggone homesick that I can feel chill
plains on my heartstrings. Maybe be-
sore we get through dinner, Wen fino |
out that we know all sorts of people
ogether.''
IF we did, they'd all be veterans
I'm from the old southern stock"
"So2 It's taken a sudden rise
hasn't it? oh, 1 don't mean anything
~ that, only you seemed so up to date
md alive. Say, isn't this the most
onesome town you ever found when
Tou really are. from home folks. and
III the place by yOurSelf2 I've been
hrowing coins to ragamuff1ns all day,
md feeling like a real one myself
why didn't you run up home for
oday?''
Couldn't. Sent a money order in
tead. They needed it more than me-"
She laughed again. softly, with that
udden uplift of long lashes.
Did You? Then you understand,
Ion't you? That's why were here, we
-oungsters, to make good and send
lome steady money orders The gov !
rnor's been dead up home for five !
ears. and I've got kid brother in {
:
I've got two at home. little tads :
'esides mother" :
The waitress came with two checks =
Make it one" said Harvey, but the i.
irI protested and took her own. Be !
ore she put on her gloves he lifted the
rishbone.
Ready There was a challenge in {
is eyes as they met hers.
Ready" she echoed. and they /
ulled. It snapped, leaving two short i
arts of equal length in their hands
81 think we both got our wishes" 8