The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-16
The EVENING STORY
The Winning Score.
CBy Tray AIlison.l

The Winning Score.
CBy Tray A1lison.)
| The station guard slammed he gate
shut az Benton reached it, suitcase in
hand. He set his baggage down and
mopped his face disgustedly.
Hang it, If I expressed my real
feelings this would be no place for
lady,"
Someone slapped him on the should
er with a laugh. First time 1 ever
knew you to get left at anything, old
fellow
Benton wheeled around. mis- face
| lighting with pleasure. by the eter-
nal, it's Tom Hartley. You look good
I to me after a years absence. If any
| thing could make up to me for losing
my train, and having to stay over. it
would be your having turned up.
Didn't know a soul in the place, and
was picturing to myself the hilarity
of going back to my hotel and reading
all the evening"
/ Hartley drew him over to a bench
and handed him q cigar. Sorry Ben
ton, but l am leaving in fifteen min
utes, myself, for a three months trip
Wish we could make an evening Of 1t
and talk over old times. Have only
seen you twice since we left college.
You certainly used to play a devilish
| lot of jokes on me. Wish we could
! be thrown together occasionally, per-
haps the last four years have devel-
/
come back at you
Benton chuckled reminiscently.
81 would willingly let you try your
hand at it, Tommie, if only you could
relieve this deadly dull evening that
yawns before me. Don't know soul
in the blooming city,
81 could give you a note of intro
duction to the dearest girl living,
Hartley answered enthusiastically,
| ''she has the reputation of being the
I xxyffff0cf Girl in md w0l7ld make
you think missing your train was he
pleasantest thing that ever happened"
Benton looked at his business suit
dubiousS. 81 couldn't call in This
Nonsense! She isn't that kind CT
girl at all, not the least bit snobbish.
/ Let me write the note Benton, you
can use it or not, but you might de-
eide that you would like to kill an
evenings monotony, and I'll vouch for
it that you don't often meet a girl
that compares with this one"
He took a card from his pocket and
scrubbed several lines with his foun-
/ tain pen. Here's luck to you, old fell
low. and I think that's my train they
are calling. Tickled to death to have
run into YOU"
Benton checked his baggage and
walked several blocks before he de-
cided that it was not every mortal that
was so favored by the gods as to have
( the opportunity of meeting the wittiest
girl in town. then finally took a cab
and gave the address Hartley had
written on the card. Hartley had
written Introducing my old college
chum. Richard Benton, who is in town
for the night only, and who doesn't
know a soul If you haven't an en-
gagement, be nice to him. He's OK,
excepting a tendency to play practiea
/ jokes, but probably his mania IN shat
direction will not crop out in a single
evening"
The note was characteristic of Hart
1ey's old style, and while it's Jack of
dignity was apparent, it would prob
ably cause no surprise to any friend
OF his.
/ When the cab stopped and Benton
went up the steps. his courage weak
ened slightly. as he had not expected
anything quite so magnificent as the
took his card and left him sitting in
the library wondering if he had not
been foolish to act, upon HartIey's i'm
pulsive suggestion.
When his courage had reached low
ebb Miss Dilton came in. She hest
tated a second, and her grey eyes
seemed to analyze Benton. She
stretched out her hand cordially, for
Benton's was a face that women trust
ed. Mr.. Hartley couldn't have sent
you at more opportune times I had
stayed in tonight expecting my mother
and father to come in on the train
from New York, but have just had a
telegram that they will not be here
until midnight, SO there was the
prospect of a lonely evening
Benton gazed, and thanked the gods
and Hartley. The soft, slim lowell
ness OF her was wonderful
She sat on the divan near him, q
mirthful twinkle in her eyes. Mr.. !
Hartley's card says that you are r.rac-
tically perfect-with the exception of
OF 2 prediction for practical jokes |
Poor old chap It's shame the |
way I've imposed upon his good ma
ture for no matter how much the |
point of the joke and enjoyed it. he |
has vowed he will get even with me /
sometime, but I am not losing any
sleep over his intention"
Miss Dillon's smile Of appreciation /
came near developing into a giggle. /
''I think we may credit him with hav-
ing made a successful effort her eyes |
full of mirth-
Benton looked at her in surprise. |
back of the card2's he asked quickly !
Nothing at all. Seei" she held it |
up before him. But I think I am |
safe in prophesying that you will ack-
nowledge that he has paid of all old |
scores
HAS he 'phoned to you since he
left me7'' His face was puzzled.
mo, he hasn't telephoned- Shall I !
tell you the point of the joker she |
leaned forward. smiling.
He gazed fascinatedly at the white
ness Of her throat where the Dutch /
neck of her white gown left it ex-
posed. I'm consumed with curl |
osity,'' he said gaily.
'WeIl-Suppose told you that Mr.. ]