The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-11
The EDening Story
That Hor1-id Man.
(By Keith Kenyon.)

Charlie, my brother, telephoned
that dreadful Saturday that he had
bought tickets for THE Jumping
Jack" in the afternoon and to meet
him at Wentworth's. the florist
had asked six of the girls in for
tea, but when I got Charles mes
sage, I called up and postponed the
festivities until Monday. Charlie
must have known 1 was dying for
chance to wear my new hat and the
stunning suit Remark had just sent
home. But, like all of Renarki's
things, it was a little striking. 1 felt
queer in it at first for I have always
stuck to styles that are not too ex-
IRENE, or at least 1 have not adopted
them until people have got over their
first gasp.
I liked the suit immensely, but re-
served my final decision until Charlie
would say one of two things the in
slant ne saw it. Either, where did
you get the ripping toys, sis?" or
pipe the get-up, Take 'em off, lit
fectly dandy in every way, he can't
speak without using slang.
Wei, I put the buds on and, OF
course, it took an age. 1 was late
starting and had to hurry for the
car. I saw it coming before 1 got to
the corner and started to run. Then
did the most stupid thing. I don't
know just how it did happen, but
fell
Just then a man came running and
helped me up. He whistled for the
car to stop, evidently guessing had
been trying to make it, and he helped
me to get on. 1 thanked him and sup
posed he would leave, but he got on,
too.
The whole way into town that man
sat exactly opposite me and scarcely
iv,C rSf
have been the suit, and got madden
every yard of the way. 1 never was
so relieved in my life 1 was to get
off that car
But 1 nearly tainted when 1 turned
to go into the florists to see my
man come in, too. He deliberately
looked at me, half smiled and fol-
lowed me back to the counter.
I hate scenes, and have always
pictured to myself just how I should
act and what I should do if ever a
man whom I did not know should
speak to me. Here was my cuel
Stony silence and extreme haughti-
ness. Besides, Charlie would come
bouncing in in a minute and would
do any annihilating necessary.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Wentworth; |
wait" I said loudly. What lovely
ooh, Miss Arnold called a clerk,
coming out of the Office, Mr.. Arnold
would be late, and for you to go on
to the theater and ask for your ticket
at the boXoffice. He left it there. You
are to go in, and he said he would be
there as soon as possible"
Well. there was nothing to do but
60 The theater at any rate was
haven of refuge.
When I left the store the man
noticed, was buying violets. He look
ed up as I passed.
When 1 went by the window I saw
the clerk hand him the purple box and
his change, and the man started hur-
riedly toward the door. Someway 1
had an idea that he was coming after
me to offer me the flowers. But al
though 1 could hear his step behind
me, the entire two blocks to the thea
ter, he never got any nearer.
But 1 was getting frantic. Such
persistence, such impudence, it had
never been my lot to experience!
He followed me right, into the
theater and stood behind me in line at
the box office
got my ticket and went in. He
came in after me. 1 had a notion to
say something to the usher, but it
struck me that our seats would not be
together, and Charlie would be with
me going out.
The seats were in right F. Mine was
two. 1 didn't know which was
Charlie's-one or three. But 1 soon
found out. The orchestra was play
going up when some one sat down
in the seat beside me.
The man-violets and ALL
He gave me a funny little smile and
actually opened his mouth to say
something.
I was cold with fright now. and
too paralyzed to move. But 1 saw
the violets coming. I could see that
he was thinking of a neat way to get
t. talk to me and offer me the flow
ers Then 1 did move. Charles seat
evidently was number three. 1 moved
my hat and everything / could think of
into the empty one between that mon
ster and myself.
The first act was good, and 1 had
almost forgotten the man was there
when Charlie came In.
But the funny part of it was he
scarcely looked at me. He grabbed
that man and nearly shook his hand
off. He asked him if he got his seat
all right, and said he was sorry he
couldn't meet him at Wentworth's-l
hoped he got the message all right,
and so on
Then he turned to me, Isis, 1 want
you to meet Jimmy Livingston. You
know, my class at Yale, just came to
1 had to spoil our little theater party
by being late. but we three will have
a rousing good dinner after the show
and get acquainted right
Mr.. Livingston and 1 bowed Charlie
jumped up.
Here, sis, you sit here and talk to
T ant n hi