The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-16
THE EVENING STORY
David'S Diversion.
NV Mo1lu Nom Ster \

| David'S Diversion.
(By Molly McMaster.)
David Davis eyed his long length of
limb disdainfully. He sighed YEARLY
and wondered just how much time he
would be compelled to pass with his
leg swathed in yards of bandage and
propped to a level with his head.
| "Beastly here he muttered and
| spent the following few moments
hurting silent invectives at golf balls:
1t had been Davis's knee that had
stopped the wild flight of golf ball
on the course, and in consequence IL
had kept him a prisoner in his room
| for the past nine days.
| Davis was not a man who possessed
resources within himself. He relied
| entirely upon human intercourse for
amusement interest. When not with
| companions, Davis was wont to lapse
| into deepest gloom or nervous irri-
liability. His present forced reliance
upon his own company was not be-
ing borne with any display of grace.
81 will certainly have to cultivate a
| crop of friends among the idle rich,
| he told himself, $50 that if 1 get an
other game leg there will be some
among them who are not tied down
| to a tedious office and can come along
to amuSe me-.
The telephone bell at his side tin
killed.. Davis stretched forth a ready
| hand for the receiver. Without the
little instrument as constant INK
between him and numerous friends
he felt that he would have climbed
out and walked, knee or no knee.
'Hello," he called through the
telephone.
The voice that answered back was
feminine, more or less hesftant and
unfamiliar.
us this Mr. Davis?' she asked
1.-The Mr. Davis who plays golf?''
He did play golf,' laughed Davis
dryly. He has lost much of his love
for the game he added, and won
dered who his fair interrogation might
The voice at the other end of the
wire laughed softly, even mockingly.
you are one of those burned
children who breads the fire, are
tort. she added. ut is a pity to give
up so healthy a game
Davis laughed into the phone.
You would 4 , think Kit it ". was "a
knee sticking out in front of me like
a lamp post swathed in ghostly raj
ment.. But-enough of golf! Who
are you and why did you call me up?'
He was conscious of wanting very
badly to know to whom he was speak
ing.
Il called you up merely by way of
diversion for you. Once 1 was con-
fined to my room for a short time,
and I most assuredly would have
passed away had it not been for my
Telephone Voices came to me from
every direction-musical, nasal and
strident-yet 1 enjoyed them all; they
shortened the hours for me-" She
paused a moment, then asked softly.
"Would you like me to call you up
again tomorrow ?'
would L? You would make me
believe in angels if you were good
enough to do that Promise mel"
he demanded with whimsical laugh
ter.
Are you quite sure there is no
one who would object?' asked the
voice, with, it seemed to Davis, a
trifle of fear.
IF you mean, Am I in love mo,
1 am not. Are you?' he asked with
audacious promptnesS.
II will ring up tomorrow about |
o'clock her voice told him quickly.
and Davis knew the line had been dis I!
connected. He swore softly under his !
breath as he hung up the receiver.
He realized the utter futility of try
ing to renew the call. The girl might |
geles to Hoboken. Also there was lit /
tie use of wondering as to her iden- !
tity He told himself that no girl of |
his acquaintance could possess a voice |
of so stirring and melodious a quality. /
Davis spent many wakeful hours !
going over the short dialogue and |
working himself into a fever of i'm
patience until the hour of chimed ,
on his great clock in the hall.
Every one of the l ferrous calls he
received during the afternoon sent his
heart off the regular beat. Davis felt
a trifle ashamed of the organ, yet the |
lure of the girls voice still held him
captive. Perhaps the unusual little bit
of adventure into the world of romance
was partly to blame for the odd sensa-
lions that Davis experienced.
"One would think 1 was in love-" he
argued with himself as he lay waiting
for the girl to call him.
Have you been patient?" was her
greeting at quarter past 4.
quite the reverse Davis answered
promptly.
The girl laughed softly. II am
sorry she told him. And how is the
knee today?'
1.-The dent is becoming less notice
able" Davis replied. Il think your
voice has a wonderfully healing eff
feet
'On your knee?" A merry laugh
came over the wire.
Yes. Butt feel that it is going to
have the opposite effect on another
part of my anatomy He paused for
a reply, but sharply drawn breath
seemed to vibrate near the telephone.
Yes" he continued. my heart is go
ing to get smash. 1 can feel it COM
ing he told her as if in defiance OF
swift love making. Il do not think
1 love you already. but something tells
me I am going to-
How long does it generally take
your Knocked the voice from afar.
In this case it would depend entire