The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-27
The Euening Story
Winning Her Back.
(By John Philip Arth.o

not naturally beIligere1lt and if there
was question at stake he was good
at argument.
There were scrappers at college
who called him the deacon and let
him go his way in peace. He didn't
row, box. run, jump, play football,
swim or enter into athletics in any
way. He had good figure and more
than the average amount of muscle
lying dormant, and he also passed a
high examination. When young Drew
left college he took a clerical position.
and all his exercises consisted in walk
ing. Once a friend took hold of his
arm and found it as soft a woman's.
Gee whiz! where is the muscle?''
Il don't have to handle the crowbar
or a sledge here was the reply.
a fight with your"
why should any one?"
You may see some day. Maybe
| you carry a gun"
:. We'll, I'm not going around look
ing for trouble, but if there is need
for scrapping I shall be on hand at
| the old stand
sion on Mr.. Drew. He could hardly
conceive of a situation calling for
muscle to get him out of trouble. He
should insult no one, and no one would
insult him.
! Miss Dora Thorn and Mr.. Clyde
Drew were engaged to be married, and
it was a real love match. Mr.. Drew
had many admirable qualities and had
some money and a good salary.
1t had been love at first sight, and
an engagement followed in few
weeks. Mr.. Thorn did not object to
the engagement, made without con-
sulting him, but he said to the lovers:
Il think you have been over hasty.
You know SO little about each other
that it's my wish that you should put
the marriage off several months.
When I was a young man I came
very near rushing into a marriage
that I should have repented the rest
of my days"
! And when the postponement had
been agreed to the girl said to her
lover:
clyde, are you going to look for
faults in me from now on?"
ct couldn't find a single one if I
looked ever SO long was the lover
like reply.
THAT is nice of you. If you have
any faults I have not discovered them
yet"
Did Miss Dora think it a fault that
he was weak of muscles?
Had she ever wondered if he was
brave or otherwise?
Had she ever felt the sense of pro-
lection when riding or walking with
him that a strong man insures?
She knew that he was fair looking
and had a good figure, and that filled
the bill physically.
The loving couple were out for
spin in the auto one afternoon when,
as they reached a narrow part of the
highway they encountered a young
man in a buggy. He was given more
than his share of the road, but he was
not satisfied with that. He brought his
horse to a halt, and sat scowling for a
minute before calling out: 49, jsgssg 4
Hey, you dude, do you know that
you are blocking the road
There's plenty of room for you to
pass replied Mr.. Drew.
you are liar and hog. sir!''
why, the man is ugly drunk"
whispered Miss Dora.
She turned to her lover to find him
pa1e-faced and his chin quivering.
Mr. Drew had never expected to be
insulted, but here it was. good and
hot.
care you going to keep me here all
day." snarled the stranger.
mo one is keeping you" was an
swered, but in a very mild voice.
Il say again, you are iar!''
Miss Dora knew enough about man
nature that when the lie was passed
it meant knockdown, and she trem-
bled over the answer that would be
forthcoming, but there was no an
swer.
Mr. Drew was as white as a ghost
and trembling like a rabbit. Was it
with anger, or was he holding back
on her account?
q
WE'LL added the young man.
No anSwer-nO movement.
The buggy was driven up beside the
auto, and the drivers whip laid over
the shoulder of a cringing man three
or four times. Then the whipper said
to Miss Dora:
you can see what sort of a cur he
is. If you marry him, 1 wish you
joy!"
Then he drove on, and after the
auto had proceeded few rods it was
turned about and headed for home.
Not word from Mr.. Drew. Not a
word from Miss Dora.
But what was there to be said? Mr..
Drew had played the part of a coward
so abjectly that nothing he could say
would excuse him. He had been called
a liar and a coward He had been
horsewhipped and had cringed over it. |
He had let the girl be insulted. She
was sorry for him in a way. and also
knew bitter scorn. She was engaged
to a coward, but would she ever ever
marry him?
''No-never."
1t were better to have a drunkard |
and a wife-beater for a husband.
They drove to her fathers house |
and parted without a word. They |
both knew it was the end. 1t was not |
until he reached the privacy of his |
room that Mr.. Drew awoke from his
stupor- Then he, who had scarcely |
ever used an oath, fell to cursing. He
called himself names. He longed for
some one to kick him.
Il am a coward poltroon-a |
thing!" he shouted at himself. t'I
have debased myself until men ought |
to kick me out of their company. If
had pistol here I wouldn't wait a |
minute before shooting myself"
By and by the young man grew a |
bit calmer, and he sat down and asked |
himself: Why did I act the craven?
Was I afraid of the MANI? Even a |
coward would have put up fight I'M
der the circumstances. There's some |