The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-31
The EVENING STORY
Virginia i'm the City.
Topeka, Kan.
(By Philip Kean.l

through the city streets. hot, dusty.
tired. hungry. She sought work, but
could not find it.
Everywhere she was turned away.
They wanted only those who had held
similar positions, and Virginia, fresh
from the country. could claim no
knowledge which would be of use to
her in town.
It seemed to her that the tall build
ings on each side of the street frown-
ed ominously- AS evening came on
she grew afraid. She hated to go back
to the tall tenement wEer@ she had
paid a weeks rent for a room. Din
ner was out of the question, and she
had had no breakfast o. lunch.
1t was with a gasp of relief. there
fore, that she spoke to a boy who
stood on the corner under street
why, Billy Locke" she said, '1s
it really you?'
1T sure is" he said heartily and
grasped her hands. But what on
earth are you doing in town, Vir-
ginia?''
She told him her little story. The
aunt with whom she had lived had
died, and Virginia was unwilling to
ers.
but I can't find work, Billy" she
said.
He was only 81 but he had mans
protection.
"You oughn't to be running around
these streets Alone he said gravely;
you'd better let me take you back to
your boarding house right now"
''It is not boarding house." she in
formed him. ST just have a room
there and take my meals out"
"Have you had your dinner?' he
demanded.
She flushed. No." she stammer-
ed.
''You come right in AMI have some
thing to eat he commanded.
She would let Billy order nothing
for her but a glass of milk and some
crusty rolls. He urged upon her
more elaborate feast, but her indie
to accept too much of the boy who
had been only a casual acquaintance
| in her home town.
What are you DOING" she asked
him. He had a fairly good position
in the packing department of big
store.
''some day, I want to go back home
and have a store of my cwn.'' he said
I'I don't care much about living in
the city,
ut would be lovely here if I only
had money" Virginia seid, but Billy
shook his head.
1T amt any place for people like
US. We are better off in small places. "
Virginia did not dare tell him how
homesick she had been.
II have just got to find work" she
said desperately. Then her eyes
frightened, "I believe you have
drought me luck she exclaimed.
How" Billy demanded.
She pointed to a sign on the wall.
Waitress wanted
Billy, remembering her fine home
surroundings, expostulated, "Oh. you
wouldn't take a position here, would
lyou?"
But she did take it. There was a
head waiter a young man of some
what sporty appearance, who passed
her on, when she questioned him, to
the woman at the desk. Arrangements
were made for Virginia to come the
next morning, so Billy took her home,
promising to see her soon.
Every day after that he sat at the
table where she served, and every day
he begged her to let him write to his
people and make arrar gcments for
her to go home. ut makes me sick
to see you working here" he said.
1T needn't" she told him. I'VE get
good things to eat, and have a COM
Portable room, and tomorrow 1 am go
ing to buy myself a new dress and a
) hat
She hoped when she told him that,
that he would ask her to go out with
him to the theater or 70 some of the
} restaurants where some of the other
girls went.
But he did not do anything so daz-
lzling. He blushed and whispered,
will you walk in the park with me
on Sunday?''
. She consented. wondering If he
. were stingy. He surely made as much
, money as the head waiter who invited
her to go with him on Saturday night
to see a play at q nearby theater.
This was the kind of invitation she
craved, and she accepted gladly.
On their way to the theater they
passed Billy Locke He bowed, and
Virginia saw the establishment in his
eyes. Serves him right for not TAX
ing me himself" was her thought as
she tossed her head. but all the even
ling his miserable face haunted her.
The head waiter proved to be poor
company. He was not in Virginia 3
class and his conversation was linn
tied
Virginia. however, made another
engagement with him for the follow
ing Saturday, and the next day when
lshe went with Billy Locke to the park,
she told him of it.
Hes awfully nice. he is so gener-
GUS" was her statement.
Perhaps he's generous poor Billy
said, because he hasn't anything
ahead of him to save for
Il should think a man who cared
for a girl would want to give her a
good time" said Virginia.
: For a, moment Billy was silent. Then
he faced her. Look here. Virginia .
Z he said. 81 want to take you back
: home and put you in a little house of
your own. and care for you for the
rest of your life. And I can't do IL II
II spend money on you now. ] cannot