The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-04
TIE EVENING STORY
The Truck Patch.
by Jeanne O. Loizeaux.

big store, Mamie let it carry her along.
She lifted her thin hands to pin the
big, f1amboyant hat to her tously fair
hair Her thin shoulders stopped u
little, and she walked with the weari-
ness of the first enervatingly hot days
of spring. 1t was Saturday night, and
she was wondering if she could afford
really satisfying supper.
A big. Drowned, awkward young fell
low came up from behind and fell into
step with her. She started nervously,
and some girls behind her giggled.
It's only me, Name. I won't eat
you!''
Il told you not to hang about for
me- she said.
II don't hang about for any girl,
and you know it. I purposely got here
just in time to catch you. When are
you going to marry me?"
Never, and you know it. I've said
it often enough" She gave a back
girls had fallen behind. Williams, the
floor manager, was with Flossie Peters.
Mamie despised F'lossie.
rs it that little counterjumper
that's worrying your" asked the man
beside her. IF you wanted a real
man, one that had either good in
tentions, strength, or a prospect of
home to give you, I'd let you go. But
I'll take Williams by the back of the
neck and drown him like a kitten if
he doesn't let you alone! 1 can't even
tell you what sort he is. You'd be
fool enough not to believe me-" They
still kept on her way home, and now
turned up a Quieter side street. Young
Graves was silent a moment.
LOOK here. Mamie. Two years I've
known you. and watched you get thin
and pale at starvation wages and work
you admit you hate. You know 1 can
take good care of you. You know 1
think lot of you. 1 never wanted
to marry any other girl. I would make
it easy for you. I've always had an
idea that you could-love me, if you
would let yourself. Tell me why you
won't. It's only fair
She shrugged her shoulders, still
evasive.
We've got to hurry. I'm going out
tonight. Do you think 1 want to get
on a truck patch?'' She was a little
fierce, as she turned on him. I've
had enough work and commences. ]
want some fun. Why-don't you dress
like other fellows? You're all right-but
the girls make fun of me about you"
She paused and he gave hard little
laugh.
80 that's it! Say, have you seen
my truck patch?' You never will go
out there! Do you know I've a house, |
paid for, and pretty place, and that
the garden truck you make fun of has
put money in the bank for you to have
everything you need on? Do you know
how Independent it makes me? I'm my
own boss, not likely to have my head
cut off by the first manager that doesn't
like the looks of me. 1 don't have to
dress and smoke up all my wages.
And 1 haven't the morals that allow
a fellow to sport around and escape
responsibility. You'd better think a
little. 1 want a wife-not any girl |
but just you, to take care of all her
life and a he
position. Say, do you think a cad like |
Williams intends to marry you? Do |
your
The girl turned pale
That's not-your affair."
Its my business to protect you, |
not, and I'll do it. Are you going to |
that cheap dance hall again tonight |
with Williams?"
She shook her head.
I've got to dance and have some |
fun. 1 can't sit in a hot little room |
all evening. I'm going with-some
girls"
80 he can dance with you with
there? I see. And, Name, do you
think I wouldn't have spruced up if |
that's all you wanted? Did you? What
time do you start?"
Eight" she said, at the door of
her boarding house. He stopped a
moment and looked at her. Then he
said goodnight abruptly and walked
swiftly to the first car going down.
his bank book was in his pocket. He
would have to hurry and go without
supper, but he did not mind that.
At 8, Robert Graves was waiting on
the little stuffy boarding house porch.
He was shaved and dressed from neck
to toes in new and very good clothes,
a bit awkward, but broad-sh ouldered,
square-jawed, his dark eyes alight, al
most angry. Mamie, unsuspecting,
came down after her unappetizing, in
sufficient meal and hasty toilet, pa
thetically pretty in her tawdry, too ex-
treme pink dress. 1t cast little color
on her pale face. She started, drop
ping cloak from her arm.
dance" f he said. we we can u take te the the
other girls, to, if you like"
She stared in establishment, and a
sort of pride in him rose in spite of
herself.
you have your-nervei" AS she
spoke the slang made her ashamed.
Can you dancer" Her contempt
made him vince.
Il can do lot of things but I'm
particular where and how 1 do them.
What about your friends?"
'"They won't wait if I'm not there
Come ~on,''
This was better than he had hoped.
He did not realize that instantly she
had resolved to use him to make Will
Jams jealous His good looks were not
lost on her.
The dance was cheap. The men were
cheap, the music, the movement. The
atmosphere was unwholesome. 1t was
close and hot, and cheap perfume made
the air heavier. Mamie and Graves
swung themselves into the waltz then
in progress, and she gave an inner
inner gasp OF relief. He could dance.
No one better! Other girls looked at
him. At the waltzs close Williams
came up, suavely. leaving Flossie with
a dark look on her face. ,
MY Dance said he to Mamie, and
lied. Save for the presence of this