The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-20

-R. Blalock, in the New York sun.
| The Euenin9 Story
Sidestep tho Girl.
(By Joanna Single.)
Mrs. Sldnam stopped her little cleo
trio at the curb just in time to In
tercept the two young men on their
o6ice-ward way AFTER lunch. The
beckOned them with q lifted finger, and
opening the door presented them to the
bewildertngly pretty girl beside her.
Deamer Webb. and Philip jackson.
Winnie" she said gaily. You have
Winnie Terrell Here from Portland
for a month. Come to dinner tomorrow
evening, Informally. Can your" Her
eyes rested ON tho darker, taller OF the
two men. Deamer Webb. Both muir
minutes conventional talk, were again
ON their way. Philip jackson, rather
short and fair. gave laugh.
"Side-step the girl. Webb!" he adj
able to land a man. She isn't 20. at
that I'd sit up nights to rave over
those blue eyes. But she wouldn't look
at me. Mamie Sidnam is backing you
-aS usual.
Let up!' remarked Webb. with q
vice. Mrs. Sidnam always has . girl
to marry OF, some doll willing to
cuddle back for life into q soft nest.
Sometimes wish I hadn't any money.
I wonder how I'd take then"
| His friend followed him into the
elevator. You're big brute with a
jaw and fierce eyes. Poor or rich. wom-
en- would like you. They like danger.
women do. They like a man that's hard
to get. Look at me-" Jackson said
breathing. but never get the girl"
You're lucky" said Webb shortly.
But you don't know it."
Same to yourself. Webb. I wish
Mrs. Sidnam wanted me to marry the
fair Winnie. I'd fail for it." They
| were now going along the corridor Of
the tenth floor to Webb's Office. Jack
son for a smoke and few minutes
loafing with his friend. and for still
| At the desk in webb's outer room
sat a plainly dressed girl with brown
hair and steady gray eyes, q girl of
distinguished beauty. She spoke pleas
antly, handed Webb some letters. and
the door OF the inner Office behind
them. Webb produced tobacco and they
sat down.
st wouldn't be safe here three days.
commented jackson whimsfca1ly. II
couldn't keep away from your Miss
Kate Hayes out there
Shed send you about your busi-
ness in three seconds. Phil" Webb
smiled grimly. She's here to work.
That's why I pay her twenty a week.
She's worth 1t. 1 can trust her.
shes prettier than the demure
ner in the right rags? Who is she?
There's class to her bow"
Il know nothing: about her. Her
behavior Is irreproachab1e, and other
wise I'm not concerned. You let her
alone, Jackson. 1 won't have her both
cred. oh. don't squirmII know you!
Let's talk about something else" he
finished shortly. jackson got even be-
fore he compiled.
''Oh." he said. IF you're sensitive
about her, all right"
Webb flushed under his dark skin
but he said nothing. He began work
ing at papers on his desk. and pres
departure, but in passing he took q
full admiring look at Kate Hayes
who met his glance with the utmost
GOODNESS.
The next three weeks were a whirl
1t was the very end Of the season, and
Mrs. sidman and Winnie Terrell kept
the two men in a round Of gayety
Somehow Webb found himself con-
stantly with the pretty. breezy west
erner whom he liked despite her aunt'e
too obvious matchmaking proclivities
He beaued the girl about, and pres
emily his head began to whirl q little.
Il feel sort OF hypnotized. I'll b<
my business Miss Hayes keeps Il
going. She's learned it better in q
year than I'd have thought possible
She keeps me posted and joys my
memory. She even reminded me Of
a date I'd made over the phone with
Winnie. She saw was forgetting II
blamed pink tea somewhere.
thanked her and cleared out. Some
how she made me feel cheap" webt
said to jackson.
One afternoon when after a lunch
downtown with Winnie Terrell, they
two alone. Webb went very late to his
office. for the f1rst time since he knew
her. he found Kate Hayes disturbed
She was very pale, and as he entered
she rose and reached for her hat and
cloak.
Are you M" he asked kindly
I'm feeling very badly. But you
can't do anything" she said rathes
shortly. Il think I shall have to &c
home. These letters are ready to mail
think I'll be all right in the morning. 81
She started for the door, but he in
tercepted her.
The idea! Do you think I'll let you
go feeling like this? You look like q
ghost! MY car IL at the curb. I'll take
you myself. No. I'm going to do It
You need not protest."
Without another. weird she yielded
and let him take her down and put
her beside him in the car. 1t was the
last of April, and the air was like wine
face. She told him where she lived
and as he slowly drove there. enjoying
the ride. an idea came to him.
Miss Hayes. something. unpleasant