The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-04
The Evening Story


New York City had never seemed
80 attractive to Gorham as 1t did upon
the day he sailed away from it in the
interest of journalism. The sun was
shining in full glory on the great sky
scrapers and the city was hustling like
swarm Of bees. Besides, Gorham
had. the night before. met Miss Fluffy
Toye OF the Follies. and her charm
had been 30 alluring that he had de-
cided to write a novelette, about the
famous little dancer.
She Is worth studying. muttered
Gorham as the boat pulled ponder
oualy away from the wharf. One
seldom meets a type so rare It
might have paid me to stay and write
a story around her instead OF going
on to London to write up cafe life.
gradually widening strip Of water be
tween himself and New York soil. 1T
Is too late now to go back"
1t would assuredly have been the
act OF mailman or an emperor to
have turned down the flattering offer
iodical, and fortunately Gorham had
realized the folly OF refusal Conse-
quently he was on his way to London.
mis- expenses paid and his name ad-
vertised extensively.
The second day out found Gorham
AotssCA RAS0ScO- tuAIA OeACA W. eAA<Ae
he was aboard the New York. He
was In excellent health. the meals
were splendid and there was an un--
usual number OF attractive maidens
with whom he: felt he could easily
while away moonlit hour or two.
When he reached London after his
trip up from Plymouth he returned
to his depressed state of mind. Cor
ham loathed hotel life and had equal
distaste for boarding houses.
Il could not write line in hotel
ROOM" he walled to a fellow passen-
ger, an Englishman, who seemed to
know his London we'll.
MY dear fellow, why not take
small flat? There are heaps Of them
to be had"
In consequence of the Enelishman's
suggestion. Gorham found himself
apartment that boasted q delightful
sleeping room. q. kitchen and one sit
ting room.
mot SO bad" he decided, and won
dered IL it would be necessary to en-
ploy help Of any kind to keep his
domicile clean. mot IL 1 can avoid
it," he reflected. This is only big
enough for me. :. 1t would drive me
out of my mind to have any one pot
tering about here"
He went into the small kitchen and
caught sight OF the gas stove.
Il can get my own breakfast and
dine In a cafe. But how do you man.
ipulate these stoves?' he pondered. :
Gorham knew nothing whatever
about gas stoves and 1t was with no
small relief that, he found the card
which informed him that upon re-
ceipt OF a postal the Gas, Light and
Coal company In Kensington would
send up a demonstration to instruct
the ignorant in the proper use Of gas
stoves. ,
Il am an ignorant one," laughed
Gorham, withdrawing from the kitchen,
which he had flied with gas by turn
ing on various wrong Jets in his eff
He !; lost no further time in sending on
his request Tor e demonstration.
Even co. Gorh4m was taken by sur
prise when. in sanswerp to; his card,
young woman presented herself at his
door. His surprise was caused both
by the promptness Of reply and by the
loneliness Of the girl who had been
sent.
us this Mr.. Gorham?.- the girl
questioned In most beautifully in
toned voice. Il am from the Gas
Light and Coal Company. -.
''Oh, come right int" said Gorham.
with a feeling Of gladness that his ignor-
ance was so complete regarding gas
stoves. TT IL awfully good of you to
come. up"
TT is my business" said the girl
quietly. I'VE have to pass examinations
and give lectures on the subject" she
added, seeing that Gorham was curious.
We demonstrate just what exquisite
cooking can be done on a gas stove"
II am more than ignorant" laughed
Gorham. II had this apartment SMELL
ing like a leaking gas tank before you
came" He led the way to the kitchen
and the girl followed.
She instructed him infinitely and Cor
ham did his best to forget all that she.
told him. He knew, then and there.
that he would be. compelled again and
again to seek the assistance Of a demon
strator.
DO put steak inside the oven or
underneath?' he questioned.
Underneath. And it must be turned
from time to time. Oh. you have one,''
she laughed. Il will prepare it for you
and put on the vegetcb les After that
all you have to do is watch them and
take them OF when they are done.'
am an excellent watcher Gorham
told her, and gaxed frankly at the girl.
You will want something over that
dress. Here, put this on" He tied
great Turkish towel about her. then
found himself forgetting the charms Of
Miss Fluffy Toye while he watched his
demonstration from the gas company.
'" HcA sue nE0 gone, leaving an OOOr-
Gus dinner cooking for him, Gorham
felt vaguely lonesome: His apartment
was less attractive than It had been.
He realized that woman, especially
q woman whose smile was adorable
and whose hair was like spun silk, and
ner eyes of forget-me-n blue, was q
great comfort to any home.
Aside from scorching the steak and
letting the vegetables boil all over the
stove, Gorham's dinner was successful.
However, during the night. his newly
SECURED knowledge vanished. He went
out for his breakfast because his small
kitchen had lost much Of its charm. He
wondered whether love had, with sud
den and unexpected energy, tugged at
his heart strings or whether It was
merely the loneliffess OF q strange city
that made him lonIr unfer every Wat.