The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-27
THE EVENING STORY
The Girl in the BOX.
(By Clara A. Crady.)

tory reports emerged from the Met
ropole building he valiantly tried to
as well temDorize with the day of
doom as with Baylock, as Merritt's
aching arm bore evidence.
you are the fellow I want" roared
his big captor triumphantly. ct want
you to see the best show of the season.
Come along"
And Merritt. as helpless as a cat
in the claws of a mouse, was alter
nately pushed and pulled along toward
the entrance of Baylock's theatre.
But don't care to see show-at
least, not tonight" protested Merritt
feebiy, trying, with all little mans
horror of the ridiculous, to free him.
self.
Nonsense. I'll guarantee that you
will enjoy the show all right"
With the head usher looming omin-
ously near. Merritt made a last des-
perate effort to free himself.
"Baylock. old man, I can't possibly
go in. Don't you see, I'm not shaved
and"
His protest was cut short as with a
knife.
Merritt, you've got to sit in judg-
ment on my new play. whiskers or no
whiskers. You may be fool in some
ways, but as critic your opinion is
worth money to me; therefore, I shall
give you seat in the first row."
Orchestra seats are all taken, SIR"
murmured the head usher deferen-
TALLY.
Merritt shot a mildly triumphant
glance in Baylock's direction. That
gentleman grinned expansively.
SHOW Mr.. Merritt to a box seat"
he ordered. and, chuckling audibly,
Baylock disappeared into the box Of
fee.
Scoring further controversy, Mer-
rift followed his guide to one of the
lower boxes He took his seat with
the uncomfortable feeling that he was
on exhibition. In his capacity as agent
for large Industrial insurance COM
pany he had a speaking acquaintance
with at least one-half the town and he
could imagine the comments his zap
pearance occasioned.
Another man might have relieved
his mind by cursing the weather
prophet whose false predictions had
led Merritt to don his oldest and
shabbiest suit that morning and, for
getting past favors in the shape of
Icomplim entary tickets would probably
have wound up by cursing Baylock's
propensity for securing his friends
opinion of every new play. But Mer-
rift only writhed in the agonies of self
consciousness while the first act drag
ged through. With the fall of the cur
tain he would be able to slip out with
out attracting undue attention. That
prospect was the one oasis in Merritt's
desert of anguish.
. But his humiliation was not yet COM
plete. Even as his eyes were fixed
with grim determination on the stage,
stir caused by several late arrivals in
the box. And almost imm ediately he
recognized the voice of the girl he
loved. Two weeks had passed since
Amy had sent him from her presence
and with scornful words forbidden him
to return; but Merritt had not ceased
to hope, and now, with the knowledge
of her closeneSs. all thought of the
majority was lost in a marvellous dread
of what she would think.
Amy Merritt's acuteiy sensitive
ears caught the low-spoken words in a
voice which he recognized as belong
ing to Amy's cousin Neil st wonder
what James Merritt is doing here. ant
in those clothes? I hope he has not
taken to drink
which Merritt at once longed and
dreaded to hear. A facetious remark
followed in masculine tone that
made him grit his teeth. Neli's broth
er-in-law, lately arrived from the west,
had been the cause, albeit the uncon-
scious one, of the quarrel. and the
knowledge that he was in Amy's good
graces while he, Merritt sat an outcast
scarcely three feet away did not tend
to improve Merritt's state of mind.
had taken a seat on the side nearest
the stage, consequently It was an easy
matter to keep his back turned to the
other occupants. He was Tuning be-
tween desire to go home and a grim
resolution not to give the other man a
clear field. At the end of the inter
mission, during which Merritt had
committed his programme to memory,
he tried once more to fix his attention
on the stage. But the play was intol-
erably dull, and the hum of happy
voices behind him tried his endurance
to the limit. How could she sit there
and exchange banter with that young
fool? In an extremity mouse has
been known to show fight and Merritt,
although he was good-natured, was far
from mouse-like. A sudden anger took
possession of him. He turned. and the
look he bent on Amy was as ferocious
as his extremely mild blue eyes were
capable of expressing. To his amaze
ment she met 1t with a gracious nod of
the head.
1T was wondering whether you
would ever turn" she murmured soft
ly. as she beckoned him to her side.
It was bewildering, but Merritt man
aged to retain his senses and to bow
to Cousin Nell and her brother-in-law
as he made haste to take the chair
'sOh, James," Amy's tone expressed
the deepest contrition. az didn't think
you cared so much.
Not knowing how much was meant,
Merritt contented himself with gaz-
ing rapturously into Amy's eyes instead
of making a verbal answer.
mo" refiectively, st didn't think
you would become desperate" And,
indeed, only girl in love would have
suspected Merritt of such a thing. ST
LIT hurts me dreadfully to see you
| in such state" she finished tremul-
ously.
WELL" Merritt conceded modestly.
ct confess I was pretty wrathy, but
1 didn't know I showed it"
"Ohi I mean the other She
paused uncertainty.
"Yeso" prompted Merritt encour-
/ q gin glv tsNeVRr mind dear as she