The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-10
THE EVENING STORY
The Vagabond.
(By Philip Kean.


Balfour had intended to propose be-
fore the days trip was over; but his
car stopped in the middle of a dusty
road. When he had tinkered for a
half hour, and had brought no results,
he said to the lady of his heart:
Il am afraid I cannot do anything.
Will you walk to town with me, or
stay here alone?"
lazily, land I am not afraid. You had
better leave me here while you go and
hunt someone
well, at least, I'll move the car
said Balfour. Surely nothing can hap
pen to you while 1 am gone"
"Of course not" Louise answered.
She did not feel so secure, however,
brim of the hill Leaning back
against her comfortable cushions, she
pondered over the situation. 1t might
be an hour, two hours, before Balfour
came back. She was tired and hungry.
In hamper strapped to the side or
the car there was food. She was not
sure, however, that she should open
it before Balfour came back.
Suddenly she opened her eyes as a
voice near her said, Can I be of SER
vice."
A tall, thin man in shabby clothes
stood close to the car. His hat was
off, and showed his hair curling close
about his white forehead.
NO. Louise said coldly, there is
nothing you can do. Mr.. Balfour has
gone to town for assistance. 1 expect
| him back at any moment
He was not rebuffed. however, by
her declination of his offer. 81 know
something of motors he said. per
haps I might help out"
He made an examination deity, and
found and repaired the trouble. IF
you will let me, I will drive you to
town. he said.
"Oh. no" Louise said. st had better
wait"
The vagabond looked up at the sky.
IT'S going to rain.
In the west the clouds were black
cat least, you will let me get you to
shelter
Louise looked at him steadily.
| Where would you take me?" she
asked.
you need not be afraid" he said.
''If you please" then she consented,
you may drive me-
! Before they had gone a half mile the
rain was upon them. flashing in at all
sides.
There's an old barn at the end of
this lane,'' the Vagabond said. ''I
passed it this morning. We might
make a run for it,
| AS they gained the shelter the storm
burst in all its fury.
WELL" said Louise, resignedly, 81
| don't know whether anybody will ever
find us or not. Do you think you could
!
| We could have our lunch.
He brought the big basket back and
they sat in the open door and ate Of
the good things.
Louise noticed that her companion
| had the manners of a gentleman. Her
| curiosity getting the better of her she
asked, "How-does it happen that you
are here?"
II like it," he said. Then he leaned
toward her and sang to an air Of
/ Schubert's:
"Give to me the life I love,
Let the lave GO by me.
| Give the jolly heaven above
And the by-way nigh me.
BED in the bush with stars to see
Bread I dip in the river
There is the life for a man like me,
There the life forever"
you have not always lived like
this?" she said.
mo; back in my boyhood there were
| school, and college, and some years Cf
study for profession. But couldn't
stand it am rover by nature"
He spoke of his travels after that.
and she listened, fascinated. Balfour
had never charmed her thus. He talked
| of himself, while this man talked of
places, of theories.
When the storm had passed. they
met Balfour struggling back over q
| muddy ROAD. lie eyed the NdSdDOuQ
with suspicion, and glared at Louise,
! when at parting she asked her road
side acquaintance to come and see her.
Hes a tramp" said Balfour stern
ly.
HE isn't" said Louise.
She was sure that he had been mas
querading when he called upon her
several days later, Immediately ar
rayed in evening clothes. When, how
ever. she accused him. he shook his
head. NOW and then take to the
road" he said. 81 was not made to
stay in one place.
He came often. and as the months
went on Louise found herself torn by
conflicting emotions Balfour had Of
fered her his hand and fortune. Louise
liked him The Vagabond. on the 9TH
er hand, offered her nothing but his
heart.
81 should not have offered you that, -
he said, Except that I cannot see yoll
unhappy as the wife of Balfour. can
not promise anything for myself.
am a rover by nature; but you shall
not surfer for comforts. and I shall
love you until my dying day"
When Louise finally sent Balfour
away and said yes to the Vagabond,
she had many doubts and misgivings.
But love him. her heart whispered.
AS she planned her simple trous-
seau. she thought regretfully of the
gowns she would have worn as Bal
tours wife. Her girl friends leased
her about her future
you'll never stand it," they said
Balfour said things, too. when he
met her one day. "You don't know
what you are doing, Louise" he
told her.
It seemed to Louise that every doubt
of her own was emphasized by the
misgivings of her friends. and, at last,
in desperation, she went to her lov.sr.
It don't believe shall be happy with
you
l He let her go without a protest, but