The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-02
THE EVENING STORY
A Foolish Thing.
o1--~
(By Louise Olney.)

(By Louise Olney-)
Finding himself in the little green
park good half hour too early for his
appointment with Chandler. who was
still on the links, Peters fused about.
and finally walked aimlessly over to
corner thick with Towering bushes. He
was hungry and wished he hadn't
promised to dine with his friend, whose
mania for golf would keep him playing
till the last second. But he was enjoy
ing his two days in the city, even
though Chandler, strangely enough, had
not offered to take him to see his
fiancee-his letters had been full OF
Mans projections, and the preparations
for a September wedding--and this was
June Chandler looked down." too
thin and strenuous.
Then Peters cooked his ear at
queer, smothered sound. He sprang up
from the grass where he had thrown
himself. 1t was like a woman crying.
Walking into the bushes, he saw d
whitehead girl with her arms flung
along the back of the bench she sat
sidewise upon, and her head. yellow in
the setting sun, laid low in her hands.
She was crying in a smothered way. He
looked at the caddybag beside her, saw
that she was lady. and decided to
speak. He came near and lifted his
hat.
could I-be of any service?"
She started at his voice, leaping to
her feet, her blue eyes angry through
thick tears. then she saw he was of her
own kind, and grew simply stiff but
courteous.
THANK you, no! I shouldn't be here
| -ru go as soon as" she bit her lip
and her face worked a little: then she
tried to smile. IT simply did a very
foolish thing week ago. and I was
waiting here and got to remembering il.
and was-sorry-" He again start
ed to go. but group of loafers passed,
and he thought better of it. She saw
his purpose and made room for him.
THANK you-I am little afraid it's
outrageous my being here alone-I
really can't explain. But some one
came out to the links whom sim ply
could not meet! I escaped here-and'
couldn't help cryings-and my face
looks so swelled, didn't want to take
the car until dusk. e5ybody would
notice. My motor exploded tire.''
Peters listened grayely. thinking her
face very charming and brown and
healthy, despite it's tear-stains. She
was furtively dabbing it with some
thing wrapped in her handkerchief
and the shiny look disappeared. His
curiosity was aroused. -
What foolish thing did you do ?"
She stared. 'It-doesnt matter
It's too late to mend it. I got angry
about nothing-and sent somebody
away-and then wished that person
would come back"
Send for him." he suggested.
since you did the disnissing.''
She twisted her handkerchief into a
ball. IT think I'll go in a. minute. No :
he'll have to come back himself-but.
OF course, he can have ten smoking
| rooms if he wants them-if he
wants to get away from me some
times-that is, he would have" 1t
was vague, but she was very young.
Peters. smiled, picking up her clubs
for her and handing her her hat
which lay on the grass. She put the
latter on. twitching it to place.
'If-that perSOn-cOuld find out
what thought of myself, without my
having to tell him-but he won't; And
he's stubborn-he said he wouldn't
come-until I sent for him. AS if
would-ever do that-not II die an
"Old maid?" finished Peters with
joy. But you won't. There is a
world full of men who will come with
out being sent for. nicer
None a thousandth part as NIGEL"
she corrected, rising. 81 wish I were
dead" She sighed, and he walked
beside her.
IT will put you on the car. Never
do this again-evidently you have been
well taken care of, and don't know
how annoying loafers might be in a
lonely place like this" Then a little
/
you meet him on the links?"
She gave him disdairful look. LAS
if-Pd-let him see me crying about
hint"
| But you weren't crying-out there
were your"
| She looked rueful1y at her slim
hands and shook her head, much as a
child might.
mo. but I should have been the
minute he looked at me, and that
catty thing of Pauline Evers watch
| ing us-she is in love with him her
SELF
! Peters was deeply interested. Chan
der had written about a Pauline
Evers who was to be bridesmaid or
something equally grand.
1 "She pretends she is sorry we have
broken off, but she isn't. I wonder
what he'll do with the house?" Tears
lcame as she stood waiting for the car
which did not appear. Then, sudden
ly, Peters remembered that his friend
must be searching for him, and turn
led hastily to look-yes, there Chandler
came. his long legs tearing along over
the grass, his dark hair tousled, his
cap in his hand, his broad shoulders
back
There he is" he explained. "a man
| who was going to take me to dinner.
She turned and gave a little gasp
| going to leave her, she caught at his
sleeve. Chandler was very near.
Don't leave u.s. she implored
| whisper your name, quicki" Peters
did so. Anybody here might have in
troduced you-on the club grounds, you
him.
"But-Pve a dinner engagement with
/ him; what shall I do?-who?'
'Tm-Nan Shepherd" she finished IL