The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-13
TIE EVENING STORY
He Couldn't Be a Hero.

he COulQn'C BE Hero.
(By Grace Kerrigan.)
Jimmie Fargo, gentleman, club
man, society man and traveller, had
been in love no less than seven times
when he met Mildred Burt at a func-
| ton. Seven times he had been in
love, or thought he had. but he had
scarcely gaZed into Miss Burt's hazel
eyes when he realized that all that
had gone before was mere fancy.
This was no passing whim. 1t was
love-the only and original. 1t
foamed up like soda water and had
the tang of cider three years old.
Jimmie was a young man. He had
been used to making his VOWS on the
first of January each year, but ten
minutes after his introduction to Miss
corner vowing to himself that he
would win that young lady's heart
and hand ere the robins or any other
sort Of birds nested again.
Jimmie Fargo had the reputation
of going right at things. That's the
way he happened to fall in love and
fall out again the seven times re-
corded. He went right at this affair
wasn't after all, such an aggressive
way as to scare the bird off it's nest.
He made his vows and his inquiries,
and then he brought his fad into
play.
Jimmie Fargo had a fad. All men
have, but they won't admit it. They
flatter themselves that it's erudition.
perspicacity, judgment, gift granted
to them alone for being 50 good.
Jimmie's fad was character reading.
He could tell the leading traits in the
character of every man and woman
that passed the clubhouse in a long
afternoon. OF course there was no
way of proving him right or wrong,
and so he built up a reputation for
himself in which he was the only real
believer.
From a safe position Jimmie
brought his fad to bear on the girl of
Chestnut hair. That signified a
rather particular girl - particular
about to whom she gave her heart.
oval face. That signified a roman
Hazel eyes. That signif1ed loyalty
and love after the heart was once
won.
A proud poise of the head. That
signified pride of birth, and that
tritiers stood no show.
A dimpled chin. That signified
that no everyday sort of man could
hope to win her She had her ideal.
and he was a hero.
Red lips and even teeth. They sig
nified that the owner was not to be
won in the usual way. There must be
heroism and adventure.
Small feet. That signified that the
owner was defiant of public opinion
to an extent. That is, she wouldn't
make a beanpole of herself because
Mrs. Jones had, and that, she had just
as soon ride up and down Fifth avenue
in a farm wagon as in a $4,000 auto.
Jimmie Fargo had his own little
patent way of Interpreting things.
When he had come to the end of his
string he drew long breath and
frightened his belt. His job was cut
could he win the heart of Mildred
Burt by sending bouquets and prov
ing himself the most graceful dancer
in his set. There must be romance
and adventure, and there should be.
The Burts dwelt in the suburbs in
an old colonial mansion. Jimmie
Fargo had been invited there to sew
eral affairs. When couple OF
months had passed he couldn't say
whether he had made an impression
on Miss Mildred or not, but he felt
that ne had not lost ground. One
April evening he drove out that way
but all men in love are pretty much
alike. 1t does heap of good to see
the outside CT the house that shelters
the girl one loves. There is sort of
calm sweet consolation in realizing
that her hand has opened that gate,
and that her feet have left tracks on
the gravel path.
Jimmie drove past the house and
ten miles beyond, and it was while
coming back that Providence jumped
into the auto and snuggled down be-
side him. Results followed within ten
minutes. It was late in the evening.
Jimmie had taken a slow gait. AS he
came opposite the Burt place he saw
a human figure raising a ladder to a
window in Miss Burt's room. me
golden opportunity
Jimmie was out of his auto and on
that Raffles's back before one could
have counted fifty. Raffles uttered |
yell of terror as he was grabbed by |
the neck, and he tried to fight back. |
but he was flung down and sat on and |
pounded until a window was raised |
and voice demanded to know what !
was the matter 1t was the voice of |
Miss Mildred Burt, and Jimmie Fargo |
recognized it and gave Raffles another |
punch on the nose and answered:
"I have caught a burglar, Miss |
Burt! Please arouse the house and tel |
ephone for the police"
"A burglar, you fooll'' exclaimed |
the supposed Raffles. "Mil1y, tell the |
idiot who I ami
lists brother Jim!'' she soft-
ly called down.
''But-but-''
ct was late in coming home and the
governor locked me out explained |
the boy of fifteen.
"Oh-ah-I-
No, Jimmie Fargo was not heco.
That Jade of Providence had played |
him false He had BACKED the eyes
and b1oodied the nose of the youth
he fondly hoped to call hrother-in-
law some day. That was all.
A week later another chance was
given him. On Thirty-fourth street
he saw Miss Mildred leave a dry |
goods store and take a taxi. After
going a hundred feet toward Broad
way, the vehicle began to cut capers