The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-18
THE EVENING STORY
just Pals.

| home her own books. In fact, many
! times Caroline had carried Jimmy's
| that he might skip off untrammeled
! to a game of ball in the field or to
hunt birds eggs. 1t is true that Jimmy
always made offer of duplicate eggs
! to Caroline, but not unless he had two
( of the species.
| Naturally enough as they grow up
| together each relied upon the other
as an ever-ready comrade. They had
attended all of the youthful dances
together simply because Caroline's
parents would not permit her to go
with a stranger, and Jimmy had been
quite content. Caroline was so easy
to entertain and her programme was
swiftly filled without trouble on his
part. Altogether, any other girl would
have bored Jimmy because he was not
a boy given to fiattery and cajolery.
Il don't have to tell you every time
we dance together that you are the
| best of the lot" he often remarked
with frank admiration. Il hope the
fellow you hook up to some day will
appreciate you"
I'VE will have to try to fall in love
about the same time, Jimmy" laughed
Caroline, otherwise We will miss each
other fearfully."
L think I would be one of those
lost SOULS he promptly informed her
Later, when Jimmy had been &C
cepted into a large firm of interior
decorators it was to Caroline he in
variably turned with his newest de-
signs and ideas.
How is that?" he would exclaim
with eager longing for praise.
What Caroline lacked in creative
art she possessed doubly in an appre-
ciative sense-a correct estimate of
values, of color. Jimmy sometimes
scoffed at and sometimes accepted
her suggestions.
IF I marry man wealthy enough
to permit it I will give you the con-
tract for my house, Jim,'' she told
him after having admired a particu-
larly wonderful scheme of coloring
for breakfast room.
Find the man. Caroline-it may
bring me fame and fortune" he sug-
gested.
Perhaps he is waiting out West
for me-" laughed Caroline. IF he
should be I will shorten my visit and
return here to give you the contract"
You might telegraph it," laughed
Jimmy and drew a long sigh. by
jove! 1t will be lonesome this summer"
Perhaps loneliness for you may
drag me back, too" Caroline told him
and looked at her big handsome COM
rade with laughter-loving eyes; you
are a treat to the vision,' she added,
maybe you will let me kiss you good
by this time when 1 go.''
Just try me?" laughed Jimmy
1t had been no idle threat with Caro-
line, for when she left for the West
and her train was all put putting away
from New York she stood on tiptoes
and kissed Jimmy goodby.
II hope you find that wealthy hus-
band!' he called out as she waved her
hand.
Il will turn into search1ight," she
called back
Jimmy turned back into the New
o~Iy I7aE ~
without Caroline. There were few
girls that he cared for since she had
filled all feminine interest for him. He
plunged into work and days slipped in
to weeks and weeks into two months
1t was then that Caroline's letter
came in which she wrote of the thing
they had joked about as having come
true. Jimmy scanned the pages a Sec
ond time.
Jimmy, I want you to select a
pretty s1x-room apartment. 1t must
overlook something green, either the
it throughout in your own taste, but
make every room lovely. L am very,
very much in love, Jimmy boy, and
you must do your best. Could you
possibly have it done in five weeks?
I can hardly wait to see you-there is
so much to talk about. Always yours,
Caroline"
A frown gathered and remained be-
tween Jimmy's fine eyes. It was hard
to realize that third person had come
into the friendship of years. Who was
he and what would he be Eke-this
man to whom his wonderful Caroline
had given her heart. Jimmy knew
that it was going to be very diff
cult to look with any kind of favor
on the man who undoubtedly was
taking away his comrade from him. !
The beauty of unshared intimacy
was no longer possible. Jimmy's
frown grew to a scowl.
A week later he wrote a letter tell |
ing her that he had taken an apart |
ment overlooking Morningside Park, |
and was busy doing all that she had !
congratulate Caroline. and the girl |
smiled rather wistfully when she
realized the omission.
Il wish you might love as deeply |
as I do she wrote back: ''the world |
grows so wonderfully big and bright |
Jimmy kept that letter It was
the first time he had ever kept a let
ter of Caroline's. Perhaps he had
never before noticed that her letters
exhaled a soft fragrance. That day
Jimmy made some splendid designs
and rejoiced that the work on Caro-
lines apartment was nearing com
pletion. He had found it more diff
ficult than he had supposed it would
be to decorate a home for Caroline
and another man.
A few days later he met her at
the station. Jimmy looked swiftly
into her eyes when she put slim fin
gers that trembled into his.
Does love do all these things to
you?' he asked. with a laugh that
was not the Jimmy laugh. THE
laughter has gone from your eyes
and your smile is wistful. Who is
the man." he said with an attempt
at mockery- 81 would like to con-
dole with him.
''You are not so cheerful your
self, Jimmy" she returned and es-
sayed a Caroline smile.