The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-07
THE EVENING STORY
Custodian of the Keys.
By Catherine Coope.)


| (By Catherine Cooper
EVERY was an architect Had it not
| been for a most decided lack of concen-
tration he might have been a great archl-
| IF you could ever get down to bust
| had often said. you could make US one
or two monuments for the architectural
"Sp11 to gze IpH io sceWied and some
| times he smiled whimsically at this very
| apparent lack in his mental equipment.
| at odd moments to force himself to con-
centrate upon the big schemes that rum
| bled ominouSly about within the unsettled
realms of his bran.
This state of turbulence made him rest
| less because he knew that he was pos
sessed of splendid ideas, yet try as he
might he invariably let slip the golden
moments that would have gone to perfect
Your lack of Concentration will fling
you among the failures his sister had
through utter negligence to fill splendid
contract. IF you would lock yourself in
your studio sometimes and throw the key
away you could possibly be compelled to
work out of sheer desperation"
Afterward EVERY remembered that the
expression in his sisters eyes had hurt
him. 1t came to him with sudden, un-
pleasant force that he was already slip
ping into the class of failures, in the eyes
of his family.
Il viii stay in my room tonight and
work if L have to lock the door and give
determination in his eyes.
But when evening came EVERY was
consumed by a desire to be out. He went
to his room fully convinced that he would
stay there and work out ne plans LOT d
many competitors for the contract, and he
realized that with concentration he could
easily win out
When he had turned the key in the lock
of his door EVERY bravely threw the key
to his sister, who smiled to herself as her
brothers voice admonished her to keep
well within hearing.
IF find cannot possibly work it will
only be wasting time to remain in here,
When Ethers soft laugh sounded from
the far end of the hall EVERY turned to-
ward his architectural tools and began de-
sultory drawings and measurements Try
as he might his mind fitted about. never
stopping for consecutive five minutes:
Visions of the club. good stories and
danced in his mind and cast municipal
buildings roughly aside Everly tried con-
scientiously to bring his thoughts back,
but after supreme efforts gave 1t up as
He flung his tools aside and forgetting
that he had locked the door attempted to
open it. He whistled loudly to his sister
Later he ratified the handle, but no sound
of coming footsteps greeted his growing
He sank back in his chair and waited.
Perhaps the family had all gone out Tor a
moment He listened intently and tried to
evolve some way of getting out or MS
self-imprisonment, but there. seemed to
tubed the entire community. EVERY
be compelled TO occupy his mind in WORK;
laangnea griilllg a IL soiTation for the nres
Plans. big plans, rushed maddeningIy in,
then out of his brain. then gradually
EVERY realized that soft feminine laugh
ter was drifting In among them. He
for his sister. The laughter. now drawing
closer was vaguely familiar to. EVERY;
appeared over the transom he caught
swift breath: , 49, .ho
out quick EVERY smiled as he smiled
for few women. He had loved Enid long
II have not dropped from the skies, but
from an ocean liner; and 1 am going to
laughed quickly; and there was a look OF
determination in her eyes that EVERY had
d dee seen rea erSt to work. Dick You know
It is all that will ever get you anyW yT, re
You need not mind mel Ian am !, only 100
Every 6qy for Ends sunny head was ais
appearing from the transom- L cannot
The appeal in his voice went swiftly to
fa 1f niS befoTe It had Enid permitted her
Ethel, you promised me-, Enid sald
night if you let him out. Give me the key c
1 will be responsible Every heaId tne
girl laugh roguishly: on gu nave Yes broth
err she added. IT,.
verify felt the hot blood scorch MS
cheeks So, Lack of determination was
also a fault of his. His teeth came 10
gether with click. Had the situation
been less humorous Everly might nave
been highly angered -,.a,,,,., ,,a
so 1 am to be kept prisoners: ne
L was Ends cool voice that answered {
him. you are going to be lett IN the ere
until you have completed some plans LOT
that municipal building that Ethel says
will give YOU fame and fortune. VIII
bring YOU excellent meals and anything
YOU ask for-except key to your door.
"a kew to your heart would please me
more" Everly muttered almost uhoef iiis
breath. Ill, ,a |
wen. you never can tell what Will De
onened for you once you accomplish some |
thing worth while Ends frank voices
After that EVERY heard the Diminishing |
voices of the two girls EtheIs was P2 ,eaT'
ing for her brothers release ana f-ili0
was firmly adamant -, ,. /
s'Ie will never do anything in TINS "orLo
without concentration. Ethel Now that
his mind will occupied. Dick VIII surely
get the habit. and once beginning ne VII,
Way?" She laughed softly and EtnsA
turned swiftly toward her
you care, Enid?' EVERY heard his SIS
IT have always cared" Ends voice
answered but I will never marry DICE
M he Inanifests his talents" Her voice
trailed off, and EVERY smiled Wh1nlsicAhS
fo himself as he took up his pencil
NOW why couldn't she have TOTO u.s
tI7a+ before?'' he wondered--(Copyf1gn
1918 by the Mcclure Newspaper SSho'-
Perfumed Pig in Clover.
Ill L.