The Topeka state journal., 1913-11-10
1M EHEKIHG Story


street gloomily kicking the dead
leaves that cluttered the walk and
hating everything in general. The
November sunshine was bright, but
there was q chill in tho afternoon air
and q chill in Carr's mood. His
scowl deepened when he saw jerome
Bemis turning the corner. He dis
liked Jerome's optimism. OF course.
when they met jerome grinned with
idiotic good nature.
Hello. old Carr!" he began. ''Well.
I'll turn and walk with you. though
you look dangerous What's up with
you? You looked like a death's-head
at Windham's last night. I wonder
Stacia didn't have one Of US other fell
lows put you out. You looked ugly
Carr did not answer. He offered
his mouth Herewith: lit one for him
self and kicked more leaves.
where you goin'?" continued Je-
rome, cheerfully. "Come with me.
I'm going to Windham's-yes, again!
Perhaps there won't be more than
three or four fellows there" He
chuckled. "She ought to have a
door an q warning when she's AZ pop
ular as she In all the time lately!
Well, them as has, gifts, the saying
goes.''
For heavens sake talk OF some
thing else!" Jerome laughed.
II like the subject. I'm not touchy.
you old crouch. Oh. say, there she
daddle and let you have her.
Carr turned to give him q savage
look. but Jerome was not to be ST.
fenced and Stacta Windham was al
most upon them. She was tall,
brown. merry-eyed. -rr
Miss Windham. do wait a moment.
Won't you let Carr turn and walk
home with you? He needs q gentle
influence-just now-he Is savage.
think he is ugly because there were
SO many calling on you last night that
he got no chance to tell his troubles.
They are deep and many. And he
has a suggestion-he wants . stand
ing room only sign put out on the
porch when you have other callers
SO he won't come in. He likes to get
a girl alone and gloom and moon"
"1'n break your head If you don't
get along" promised Carr, laughing
in spite Of himself. Clear out"
Stacia stood laughing as Jerome
lifted his cap and departed. plump.
good-natured, imperturbable.
Without word Carr turned and
walked beside the girl-they were
both tall and walked together with
rhythm-like music. Silence fell be-
tween them-a queer, strange silence
After q bit the young man looked
down and met the girls inquiring
glance. He flushed.
"Going straight homer" he asked.
knowing he must say something She
hesftated. but he wouldn't help her.
"Yes-I was-would you like to
come in for a few minutes?" Now
he hesitated, and she flushed mot
unless you-care to- she finished
rather haughtily.
Twill you go for a walk p" he said.
IT'S beautiful in the woods-it isn't
very far. I'd like that better than tho
house,
Together they passed the quiet,
substantial homes of her street
turned through q pasture, getting
dun-colored with autumn and wound
up little crooked path into the
woods. now brown ana sere with an
occasional gleam Of yellow ana red
The dead leaves were deep beneath
their feet. Both were strangely si-
lent. But presently the man broke
the silence. He turned on her almost
savageiy, SO that she recoiled and
/ stopped in her walk.
Denny?"
why. no: that is-you havs M
, right to ask" she replied. surprise6,
hurt. Indignant Jim Denny!
. should think not!''
An right. Then are you going to
marry Perry Perlins?''
What on earth do you mean9
Why this catechism ?''
SIN he faced her. The red deeuened in
ne1 nrown cheeks and her eloved fin9ers
| pulled 1t the red coat she wore
we've always been friends since we
asted. We've always sort Of stuck to
gether TIL lately, haven's we?"
| sne nodded wonderingly, but said
.Iyct,l lately. What change has there
Tell m:-ars you going to marry John
TELL me-are you insane?' she retorted.
| What do vou mean?'
'Just what sav-or ask Are Won 20
Jerome Remis or Sam Potter. -
At this she began tn laugh. but he aud-
| denly caught her. none too gently. by the
| Ansver memo foolin<-'
| Her laugh grew nervous ana then
''vo.-know I'm not going to marry anv
one Of them. But-it'a-none Of your bust
| ne~s."
AGAINST big tree. holdine her &rxe IN MS
| cwn. ssf'n make Il my Nu~sve<u You have
| ro mc<hefeand too much Hreed0vn v0ur
Safhe- does not look afser Won cIoselv
e~cu~h. You're too nouulAr-too manv
1ses hu1zsn& around the hcRev Tar. don't
| sske It. Don't Won know " rtseapens you
TO have 20 rnanv men about
uer a'vfur1se turned into fuvjovs aneer.
| Tive horne . lot from y0r- Car David
son. for fxiendshsuPa sake. hut this n the
last straw. shan do - please. It's