The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-08

happened to save her from danger he
had forced himself upon her. talked
roughly to her, a tender slip of thing.
On the whole, and hated himself. One
thing was certain, he would now go
slowly. He would not speak unless she
wished 1t, and he would somehow get
an introduction to her, go to see her.
And-another thing he vowed to do.
He would make the sober little thing
laugh! He longed to hear her taught
her smile was grave. If she would let
him come to see her he would take her
somewhere-not to a dance, but for
walk, or to a good amusement park
Again every morning she was on
his car, but beyond look Of recogni-
one evening, he was walking about
downtown, when around a corner he
suddenly came upon her with Maude
Bailey. whom he knew very well. He
spoke in answer to Mauds's smile, and
walked with them little Wouldn't
she introduce him. He was so taken
by surprise that he didn't ask it, and in
another moment the girls turned into
a store, and he was left on the side
walk with good-by in mis- ears. Evil
IDENTIFY Maude had taken their ac-
quaintance for granted.
Thereafter he was miserable be-
cause of the girl. What move should
he make? Maude being something Of
a tease and tomboy, he dared not trust
her with his secret-she would make
fun of him. perhaps spoil his chances.
But again fate interviewed, and gave
him the role of protector. He was go
ing early one summer evening to tink-
er again at the little house. which he
was soon going to move into-his fur
nIture was already stiffly arranged IN
it. He was walking around a corner
where the car lines cross, when he saw
~ - ltrSra 81
ly. bareheaded and 1eisurely. At the
same moment he gave Try, but too
late. An old man, evidently deaf
| walked directly before an on-coming
car. Stevens gave Jump for the girl
| turned her face against his breast,
but his arms over her ears. She should
neither see nor hear the horror.
| He freed her. and led her away, tell
4 ing her what had happene-.. She was
| very quiet, and went with him willing
| ly, while he still held her arm.
"Can I go-where you were going ?"
| he asked.
! "Just for a little walk" she said.
i'I like these little homes-and there's
a bit of woods farther on. It's like the
country 1 came from" She looked at
him shyly. and he said nothing about
his little house being across from the
wood. But they would pass 1t. She
should see it.
! you've always been-doing things
for me-" she said. Mr.. Stevens-sav-
ling me from fall, or from being
ikilled-or seeing something dreadful
land-" She blushed deeply.
This is my-little house" he said.
I'm just working on it. Won't you
take look at it?" He had stopped
by his own gate. His glance was i'm
ploring. She silently went up the
grassy little yard, and let him unlock
1.-THE door. She stepped in. 1t was
really very pretty and coy, but nc
woman's touch revealed itself. She
surveyed things gravely. And Their
ishe gave him one wish ot his heart
ishe broke into sudden ringing laugh
tier, like a child's laughter. In delight
he stared at her for the reason.
'It's-lovely but it all looks so ex.
act1y-like a man." She laughed
again.
Then he did what he fully intended
not to do, what he had intended tt
WOO her gently into letting him do
The caught her by both unresistine
hands. - W
OH he said. "I-1oye you! CAM
you love ME. and marry me :? 1t would
be a merciful thing, ane that would
be exactly nke-a woman, wouldn't
tit?" He found her leaning against
him.
/ Yes" she said. grave egain. that
would be y-much-iike-me. II
would be different if I hadn't-known
you SO long" This time the man was
the one who laughed.-(Copyrigh
t1911, by Associated Literary Press.)