The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-19
THE EVENING STORY
Rehind the Stamp.
(By Catherine Coope.)


Tom Ivnn peered cautiously down
through the vines that clustered up
from the window box on the floor
| below.
Would that feminine, chestnut
crowned head, with its myriad of
stolen sunbeams, be in it's accustomed
place On the balcony below? Lynn
leaned forward, careful not to break
one of the tender green shoots that
so generously scrambled up and over
his bachelor Windowframe. Lynn
felt grateful for the fragrant link that
seemed to join his studio to that of
his romantic mind he likened the
vine to the invisible tendrilS that had
escaped from the girls personality
and bound him in a tight mesh
Yes; she was there. Lynn felt
strangely at peace with the world now
that he could feast his eyes on the
riot of hair that lay in two great
braids around her shapely head. He
chafed at his bird S-eye view of the
girl. From his position she seemed to
have cheeks like a rose petal. Once
in a fortunate moment, when she was
measuring the skyline with her eyes,
Lynn had glorious glimpse OF a
dimpled chin and lips.
From that moment Lynn had
scarcely left his studio, so fearful
was he that the girl would vanish
watching her slim fingers WELD the
paint brush. for she was making an
interesting sketch of the house tops
that formed her outlook.
Only once had Lynn been in the
elevator with the girl, and it had
seemed so entirely wrong that she
should flash a smile at the big black
man who runs the elevator rather
than at him. But when she stepped
out Lynn received a swift, shy glance.
He remembered afterward that a deli
cate color had come into her checks.
And now as he gazed down at her
on the balcony he sighed.
$50 near and yet so far he fret
ted inwardly and felt twinge of
jealousy when she began to write a
letter. why do people spend Sunday
writing letters? ' he questioned him.
self
Lynn was startled then by her voice
calling to some one within the studio.
"Oh, Jane-I forgot to get stamps
and this letter absolutely must go to-
night. Have you one?'' The girl step
ped inside and Lynn was possessed of
a bright idea.
He found his stamp book and tore
out couple of stamps. With swift
fingers he wrote his name on the back
and let them fiutter down to the
balcony below. AS he had expected,
one few out beyond the railing, but
the other dropped down and chung to
green vines.
Would the girl see it? Lynn wait
ed impatiently. She came out again,
and he could tell by the disappoint-
ment in her attitude that she had been
unsuccessful in her quest. She stood
for a moment in indecision, then dis
covered the stamp clinging to the
vine.
"Oh-how fortunate"' she cried to
the person within. II have found
one!'
Lynn watched her moisten the cor
ner of her envelope and stick the
stamp on. He sighed. He had hoped
that she might, in moistening the
stamp, catch sight Of his writing
he had done her a service,
and that was some consolation.
1t was a week later and Tom Lynn
was at his usual place by the vine
framed window. He looked out to see
if the girls head was there, Yes. And
another head, black and wind-tossed, |
was there also.
The two girls were talking and their |
voices rose distinctly to Lynn. They |
were evidently continuing a converse |
ton started within.
But how could you stick a stamp |
on without seeing that name?" the |
dark-haired girl asked.
IT licked the envelope" returned |
the other. IT merely found that stamp |
on my vine and put it on your letter"
It seemed to Lynn that a suppressed |
current of excitement was in her |
voice.
have a craze for making a smokers |
table of stamps I should never have |
seen Tom Lynn's name. I am going |
straight to his studio and ask him If |
he is the Tom Lynn who used to build |
sand castles with me-"
ct know there is Tom Lynn in the |
building because I have seen his |
name.'
Did Lynn imagine it or was there
Just a suspicion of eagerness in the
voice. She jumped up suddenly.
Let us telephone to him right |
away and ask him in to tea she sug-
gested to the black-haired one whom
Tom Lynn was trying in vain to eaten
L glimpse of. 81 really must thank
him for his timely sending of a stamp.
whether he is the Mr.. Lynn you know
0r not
Both girls went within the studio,
and presently Tom Lynn went to an
swer his telephone He felt suddenly
very much elated and his heart leaped
IT the prospect of meeting the girl !
With the coppery hair.
"He1lo. Yes. Am L? Well, guess
am Didn't I used to tease the life 1
,ut of you by calling you eeny, meeny.
niny, mo. just because your name is
Enid?" Then Tom Lynn said with a
sudden swift tact, But where are
Tou? May I not come and have tea