The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-02
7 ne EVENING STORY
An Important Request.
By Annie Hinrichsen.)

! of course you came,' she said ex-
asperatedly. Il whistled as do to my
dog and you. a man, came
The young man grinned cheerfully.
You wanted me, didn't you?" he
asked. IT was so glad that you wanted
me that didn't care what means you
took to call me-"
IT didn't want you. wished to see
if you would come at a whistle
We'll, came affirmed Prince
cheerfully
Ralph, have you no spirit? You
| obey the most ridiculous commands I
| give you. Are you devoid of pride
Can't you show a little Self-aSsertion %
Lots of it. I'm a duffer only when
l am with you. I can hold my own
with men, but you have reduced me to
a jelly-like state of submission. 1 am
SO desperately in love with you and so
become a groveler. But if you will
marry me- he suggested hopefully,
81 might become brave
s'I'll not marry a groveler to reform
him. And you would not change You
would always be henpecked mental
nonentity, a joke for a cartoonist.',
"A joke doubtless enjoys being a
joke, and If I were a henpecked hus-
band I should be perfectly happy"
Il shall not marry a groveler. Why
you have been successful in business
and politics 1 cannot understand You
are a member of the legislature. and
father says you are imm ensely popu-
lar both at home and at the capitol.
Yet to me you show never a whit of
independence of thought or action.
Love has made me q slave
And you are not ashamed of the
fact. You seem proud of it,
A few weeks later the legislature
convened. Soon after the beginning
of the session a bill was introduced
that brought to the capital representa-
tives of all the street railways in the
state. The bill was one to compel
owners of street railways to place upon
m Otormen and conductors. Nella Car
rolls father owned the street railway
of Hilton City Immediately after the
introduction of the bill he went to the
state capital and Neila went with
him.
The bill owing to the efforts of a
powerful lobby against it. dragged
slowly on its course and Mr. Carroll
and Nella remained at the capital.
The devotion of Ralph Prince be-
came more and more conspicuous, and
NelIa's evaporation and Impotence in
creased with. it.
A party of young people had gather
ed in the Carroll suite at the hotel.
The governors messenger knocked at
the door and asked for Mr.. Prince.
Prince came to Nella, IT must 60
Nella,'' he said. 1.-The governor has
sent for me-
'tSend word to the governor that I
need you here
but NelIa the governors requests
are demands"
80 are mine. Tell the messenger
you cannot come. There is an i'm
portant reason why you should re-
main here"
Prince took the messenger into the
corridor and in a few minutes returned
alone 81 sent word to the governor
that I could not come, Nella. Tell me
the important reason why you wished
me to remain? 20
ITO make a Welsh rarebit. No one
else can mix good one. Light the
chatting dish lamp and CRATE the |
cheese"
The day before the railway bill was
to be voted on in the House, Nella
sent for Prince.
Ralph, father told me something
today which utterly astonishes me. He
says you favor the passage of the rail-
way bill"
Il do"
But, Ralph. this bill will cause our
company an enormous and unneces-
sary expense
1.-THE lives and health of our en-
ployees are of more importance than
money"
"Our men have never complained
81 have investigated the bill care
fully and am convinced that it is my
duty to support it,
"Then change your mind. Ralph. 1
wish you to vote against it,
81 shall not
For a moment she stared at him in
speechless amazement. Ralph. you
don't meant isn't possible
81 shall vote for the BILL
1.-THE opponents of the bill lack one
vote of enough to defeat it. Your vote
is the one they need. 1t will decide the
fate of the BILL
Il am sorry that it will bother your
father"
She misunderstood the anxiety in
his face and voice. you will vote
against it. Ralph? You have never re-
fused a request of mine. This is the
You will grant it, will you not?"
Surprise took the place of pain in
his face This is the first time you
have asked me to do thing that I
believe is wrong I am not prig, but
I respect the oath I took when I be-
came a member of the legislature-the
oath to give my best services to every
measure
-'WiIl you vote for that bill when you
know that I shall never speak to you
again?'
yes The word was a troubled
sigh.
ssVilI you vote against it tiff I
premise to marry you -
No" His voice had the sound of
a cracked whip. MY vote is not for
sale, nor do buy a woman's promise''
was beside him Ralph, don't go.
Let me tell you. You aren't a grow
eIer. I have learned that you are a
real man whom I can 1ove-if you
want me to-
rs this a scheme to influence me7"'