The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-24

afternoon she was coming in from the
INKS and met Terry. For a wonder,
Leith Story, usually too lazy for effCrt.
was walking with him. She was bare
headed, under her rese-eoiored parasol
her soft curls pinned crown-wise ,lpon
her small head, her feet in higr-heeIed
white slippers Nan greeted them in
passing, for the first time with dislike
for the other girl, so nonchalantly sure
of the man with her. Nan gave a look
at the sky-it was cloudirsg.
| Don't go too far or you'll get
caught if storm comes up
/ Terry, intent on the girl with him,
made vague answer. He was little
Itroubled. He had asked Leith to walk.
and she had consented lfstless1y.
| Yes. anything to get away from the
everlasting old ladiesl" she had an
swered. "Of course, your mother is a
dear, but one doesn't always want old
Ter people. 1 don't understand them,
for one thing
| He did not like this They wake ed
ialong, talking, dawdlins. Before they
knew it, the sky sud- emily became very
black. She turned back Instantly, and
Terry tried to hurry her, but her high
heels interfered. And she was a little
fretful. Also, she was visibly afraid.
There was literally no shelter in sight,
and the nearest out-buj1ding of the
Stanton place was nearly a half mile
away. Rain began to fall, thunder
rolled and a fierce flash of lightning
cut the clouds. She put her hands over
her eyes, but he took her arm and
tried to help her on, supporting her.
IF we hurry we won't get very
wet" he soethed, and taking off his
white flannel coat, put 1t about her
You see, trees are not safe place
in q thunder storm. 1 must get you
home some way; don't be afraid 1t
Q0Fn1pEC Of ~ 10 ,I,of
Nan said
"Nan-that tomboyl" she said irri-
tabIy. But she happened to know for
onee!"
Terry's defense of Nan rushed al
most to his 1ips-he suddenly loved
her boyish, outdoor traits 1t was bet
ter than this foolish I1elplessness. He
would have liked to shake Leith Story.
The rain was beginning to come
down srffartly now, and the road was
slippery She chung to him and he
held the ridiculous rose-colored par
asol over her.
Then d sudden crash of thunder
made her scream are hold tight to
him. He tried to get her to go on, but
in vain. And then rescue came.
Around the corner came a little COW
cred phaeton. old Dawson driving.
Nan, mackintoshed,.r rubber booted, got
out, smiling, level-headed
81 knew you'd be caught came
after Miss Leith.' She aided Terry in
getting the girl in beside the coach
man, wet and complaining, her hair
uneurled and beginning to string over
her face, her white slippers heavy with
black mud. She hardly thanked Nan,
but the girl did not mind that-Terry
was giving her a beanning look of
thanks.
"Drive Miss Story round to the side
door-Susan will be ready for her,
~. \
| ing to walk in with Mr.. Lawrence
Izeith protested family.
Nan stopped her. Were both
ducks! We used to get away from
mother and put on cid things and get
wet purposely4and we both love a
warm rain-don't we, Terry?"
He nodded as the vehicle turned
and faced Nan, her hair curling about
| the edges of her waterproof cap. The
| phaeton went its way.
'+I never was so glad to be rescued
in all my life, Nan. Blessings on you'll
Seems as IL l had found the coinrade-
angel Of old tif1iesi"
| She walked thankfully, blissfulIy be-
side him in the steady rain splashing
| the mud with her little rubber-bo
feet. She smiled at him
tNan-it was horrid of you to say
things about me to Leith Story. What
made you? It isn't like YOU" She
| tell her you were dead sick of having q
mere neighbor always at your heels
| like a retriever" Her lock made him
aware that she had never said word
of the sort. His wet hand went out
for hers, and she gave it to him frank
| 1y.
''Soine folks" she said gravely, care
quality, and some are not. 1t shows
| in the way they stand daily wear and
tear. Don't you think Sc, Terry?''
He stopped in the muddy road to
give her a happy but very wet kiss
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
| airy Press.)