The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-08
EVENING STORY
Mary Doe.
(By Marion Francis.)

the FdCdllOl, IOili
Sherrold took an auto trip along the
Hudson. He had intended to spend
day or two at the home of his room
mate, Phil Sharp. but he found on
inquiry over the telephone that Phil
had left Kingston the evening before
for visit to Brooklyn, SO he decided !
to pass through without stopping.
AS he sped up one of the long wind
ing hills leading away from the town,
he spied a girl on the road ahead.
She was standing disconsolately beside
a trim roadster which had evidently |
brakes, brought his own car to a
standstill and DOTTED his hat.
"Is there anything 1 can do?" he
asked.
The girl turned to him with pair
of grateful eyes; they were brown eyes
which reminded him somehow of some
one he had dreamed about, years ago.
II don't know what's the matter
with the old car" she said petulant-
ly, altho there was hint of twinkle
in her eye. "It just won't co.
Maybe I can fix it, Tom knew
absolutely nothing about the mechan-
ism of a car, but he opened the hood
and looked wisely into the compli-
Gated engine. He tried the self-starter.
| but it didn't work. He opened the
| hood again, touched a nut or two
and then tested the starting appar-
atus But still there were no results
Finally, he nodded his head as If he
| knew all about it.
1.-THE differentiaPs busted" he an
nounced. I'm afraid you'll have to
send for regular mechanic"
| obi She appeared distressed.
| THAT means I'll have to go back to
| Kingston
Tom ventured suggestion.
| Il was inst fhiDkiTle of 0oipo hooly
that way myself he said. You might
just as well ride with me-"
She smiled at him frankly.
GU know you weren't thinking of
any such thing" she stated. But I'm
ton"
Tom sprang into the drivers seat.
come on in he invited. "It will
be perfectly all right, because 1 know
some one who lives in Kingston"
'tOh, you do?" She appeared inter-
ested.
Yes" he continued, as she made
no movement to enter the car. I'm
a great friend of Phil Sharp. He's
my roommate at college,
She looked surprised.
Phil Sharp ?" she repeated.
| yes. do you know him ?''
smiled.
Never heard of him. Does he live
in Kingston? %
Why, yes" He appeared puzzled.
I thought everybody knew Phil"
Il may have met him. She spoke
slowly, as If trying to recall the young
gentleman in question. What does
he look like?"
He has brown hair and brown
eyes He paused. Looks some
thing like you, to tell the truth"
The girl shook her head
NO" she announced, 81 don't know
him"
Enthusiastically Hes mighty good
looking chap"
WAS that meant for compIi-
ment?" she smiled amusedly.
Yes, it was" Tom answered truth
fully. But Id like to have you know
him because he might ask you to a
college dance
HAS he sister,
yes. I've never met her. but Phil
seems to think she's a peach He's
going to have her down to the senior
ball next week"
What is her name?'
, "Althea."
"Oh!" her face lighted with recog-
milton. "I know Althea Sharp. Met
her one day at a Country club tea
Did you like her?"
Fairly WELL
What kind of a girl is she %
. you seem to be immensely inter-
ested in her.
st am. You see, we have five
dances together at the ball. Phil has
asked her because he has to, but he
| really likes the girl I am going to
! bring So he's going to shove his sis
J ter off on me whenever he can"
. 'I don't think you'll like her very
/ much. She's a college girl, and rath-
! er prim and sedate"
. "And I have five dances with her
, Oh. well.' He smiled. 81 wish Phi
: had asked some one else; some one
/ like Won. for instance
/ The girl changed the subject
40 you want to take me /, King
ston now" she asked.
IL Surely; jump in"
/ The roadster sped onward. That
ride was one of the most enjoyable
occasions Tom could remember. They
2 talked about numerous things; he told
of the college, of Phil. and of the
dances: she told him of Kingston. and
$ omething of the people she knew
e The garage was reached all too quickly
1 and the girl jumped out
1 I'm very much obliged to you" she
S said. offering her hand 1.-The man in
D the garage will take me back
Tom refused to be dismissed &C
easily.
Aren't you going to tell me your
name?" he asked.
She hesitated.
why, yes / guess So" she said
finally. my name is Mary Doe"
And your address,"
"Just Kingston"
8 do you mind if ! write to you?"
I'D rather you wouldn't. Maybe
:. | some time If you come to Kingston
with Mr.. Sharp, Wen meet again
j | Goodbye
t She waved to him and disappeared
n into the garage.
r All that day and the next that briei
= ride TO Kingston was uppermost in
: Toms mind Upon returning to col
). lege. he cornered Phil Sharp and
s asked him about Mary Doe. But Phi
= was unable to give him any informa.
f | ton.
r st never heard of her" he said
|. What does she look like?"