The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-25
TIE EVENING STORY
Wisdom for Two.

|
the lives on foot. He came down the
smooth road between the rows of
| guarding eucalyptus trees and Won
dered if he would have to blow the
ahead of him would leave the middle
| of the highway. He saw the girls
hair. yellow in the setting sun.
| She did an astonishing thing
slender arms apart, signaling him to
| stop. He could not lift his hat, for
his dark head was already uncovered
to the soft California breeze, but he
crimson-she could not have been
more than eighteen, and seemed I'M
| able to speak for a moment.
Are you-going to-San Mateos?
I-ought to catch train
Going right there" he lied in
simultaneously, though much annoyed.
Get in He 1eaped out, he helped
| her to the seat beside his and cranked
up again. Cranhing always spoiled
his temper. He was silent when again
| he took the wheel. She shrunk from
| him timidly.
when is your train due?" he fin
ally asked, speeding up, and passing
another machine by a margin that
made the girl shiver.
"I-don't know" she stammered.
How queer this all was! Another mile
slipped away beneath them, and the
sun was a bit nearer setting. He
turned suddenly upon her, suspecting
the unusual.
Look here, you know I'm a strang-
er, but if anything is-wrong I might
she began promptly to cry, tears roll
ing down her cheeks. She was a mere
child, too, and he saw that she was
well bred, well clad-a lady. 81 am
! awfully old and wise-wise enough
for two, and if anybody has broken
your dolly I will-where's your
purse?" he asked suddenly. How can
you take a train with neither purse
nor hat?" She carried not even a
handkerchief. Her blue eyes widened
with fear.
'T didn't-te1l the TRUTH she said
Il am not running away. That is
I concluded not to run away and I
just went down the road
ST don't understand. Try to tell
me-" He was getting impatient.
Tell me what to dol I'm a
stranger here. came on a trip. My
Austins while she went to Los Angeles
She took sick up there, SO I have to
stay on-and Dickie-''
He knew Dickie Austin altogether
too we'll. He urged her to continue,
and noted the sweet curve of her
chin and throat.
"Dickie came home from Boston
He-weIl. he-finally I promised to
run away and marry him. And when
7 looked out of the window and saw
him coming with his machine I was
frightened. I didn't want to go with
him! So I slid out the back door in
an instant and went down the wrong
road. 1 asked you to pick me up be-
cause I was afraid he would find me.
can't tell his mother, and he won't
let me alone. want to find my
aunt
Again she wept. Selwyn was in
CONSERVATION. He slowed down and
thought a little. Pretty fix to be inl
But who was it she resembled? Her
face was like-lilze--
IT ought to tell you who I am. I
am from st. Paul. Minnesota. I am
Kittie-Katherine James, His
face was clear again.
tAh-Clara's little sister! Don't
you remember? L spent a Christmas
weekend at your house four years
ago-John Selwyni I'll break Dick
Austin's good-for-nothing neck!" The
tears turned to smiles. The girl nod
ded her head. She knew now who
he was.
"Of course I'll look after you he
said. What is Mrs. Austin about
letting her son poster her guest? You
surely are not-do not care for the |
little wretch?''
She rubbed her arms over her
eyes. TITS like a bad dream. He |
made me think I did until the very
last minute. Mrs. Austin always left
us together. She is awfully worried |
about something. 1 guess it's money. |
Dickie said he was in trouble and I
was sorry for him. He said they |
would have to give up the place"
"And he thought he would marry /
you for your fathers money!" Kittie |
lad not thought of this, and gave a
little scream. ct guess it's time an
old friend appeared Look here, my
sister is at hotel in Frisco. I shall |
take you there tonight, and in the
morning we will see.'
He turned the machine suddenly.
- Ut
rGtracing the way they had come.
"'Is the Austin place that big gray
stone place with the palns?"
She nodded an affirmative to his
question.
where are we going? I will be
late for dinner, and Dickie will be
furious, and will tell his mother any
thingi She will believe him. Don't
go there!" she begged him. 'I don't
think auntie knew them as well as
she ought
.tOr as do, no! Listen. am going
back with you Introduce me, let me
talk, and do just as I say. Will your"
She promised, and again he speeded
up the little car.
Dusk was falling when they slid into
the Austin place. Mrs. Austin and
by other relatives. Selwyn got down,
handed out the girl, and took her arm,
smiling.
'This is Mr.. John Selwyn. Mrs. Aus
tin
1t was all she had to say. SeIwyn
put out his hand. "Of Chicago" he
explained. "How are you, Richard |
Heven't seen you since your freshman
days at Harvard-get through ?" Dick
put out his hand. Selwyn knew too
much about him. Mrs. Austin was
frigidly waiting for mora queer
CLEAN in her eyes.
81 don't understand" she said. Exit
tie, we have been looking for you
Selwyn took the matter up. "I do
owe you an explanation, he said.
ssYou see 1 am engaged to Kittie. I l.
came out here to surprise her, and