The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-26
The Euening Story
Detroit. Mich.


(By L. Blair EatOn.)
cts the chance of lifetime" Tom
Flanders declared with almost boyish
enthusiasm to the girl beside him in
the road car.
Thula Desmond turned her eyes
from the winding river they were
over. the big one which was nearest
her on the steering wheel.
"I'm so glad. Tom" she said.
Think Of it! I'm to build my first
bridge. Do YOU think you'd like Ar
She looked at him steadily. but the
blood mounted her smooth cheeks:
also a certain quick light sprang into
| her dark eyes. 81 don't know, Tom.
Why?'
Tom seemed very much interested
at that moment in the dial of the
| speedometer before him. At least. he
kept his eyes glued to it.
''Well. you see," said he. evidently
! in married men; in fact, he practically
| insists on a man being married before
he gives him very much responsibility.
He has made it pretty plain to me that
I'd better be married before I start on
the job. So it seems perfectly logical.
Thula. doesn't it say it seems per-
fectly logical that
He had looked up from that fasci-
| mating dial of the speedometer. Some
thing in her face brought him STAN
ask you to marry me-" he said al
length.
For some few moments her eyes
were on the flying roadway. Even
his. ST wouldn't, II were you" she
said quietly.
wouldn't. Thula? Why not?'
you'll simply draw refusal
you mean you won't marry me?"
That's the impression I intend tc
convey
He slowed down the car. They moved
along at a veritable crawl. He was
whistling tunelcssly between his teeth.
You don't think you'd like 1t down
there in Argentine, then?"
II haven't said So" she replied. 81
think I'd like it very well. I'm not
sticlxler for places, anyway. I can be
happy In almost any old place with the
right people,"
4 take it then I'm not the right peo-
ple?"
IT haven't said that, either. have II
she asked sweetly.
Look here" said he, 1.-THE boss wants
q married man on every job requiring
+ responsibility. have just been offered
the chance of my life in such job
Isn't that the most logical reason in the
world why 1 should ask you to marry
i me-"
II see that it is the most logical rea-
| SOu Al ek1C WOA AZ " ~ - - ...S>~>> -.
asking some one to marry you. but moi
necessarily me-"
He started the car ahead with Z
. vicious jerk He grunted something
: under his breath. Then you won
. ma rry me, Thula?
mol"
The car went ahead even faster afte
that. They swung into the familia
driveway. Up to the house they whirled
. He stepped from the car and helped III
1 girl out
Thank you for such a nice afternoon
t Tom,'' said She
= He started to say something. evident
lly thought better of 1t and bit his lip
lover the words
o Lets see. when do you leave:" sh
: asked.
d 1.-THE thirtieth.r
j I'm see you. Of course. before 20
co.
IT haven't gone yet" he said rough
e l1y and getting into the car again, h
. went down the drive in a great whit
I of dust.
? Can you beat that?'' he complaine
), to the stone gate posts that shot paa
It him. How can q man ever be sure {
g a girl? 1 always supposed when
d made good Thula wouldn't hold me o
lany longer. Well, hang their job; II
can't have it without marrying and 81
" won't marry me. I'll chuck 1t
s, He found himself at length on q
told turnpike leading to the city =