The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-29
The Euening Story
Men Wanted.
(By Jane Osborn.)


miles from the town where Botsford
Hatch had his single hung out as a
lawyer, and on a certain cold day in
February, having no prospect of bust
ness for the afternoon he had strolled
out to the suburban vicinity of that
institution. There were reasons for
Mr.. Hatchs mood of Incidence and
reasons why his steps took him to the
neighborhood of the college. Still
even to himself he would not admit
them. 1t was really Betty Picket's
fault-little brown-haired, blue eyed
Betty Picket, the lovable little doll of
a girl to whom Botsford had proffered
his heart and his hand only a few
weeks before.
The worst of it was Betty had ac-
cepted his suit in a timid sort of way.
Then some foolish little misunder-
standing had come and the end of it
all was that the time for the much
ta1ked-about junior ball at the college
had come and Botsford had not been
asked.
Not that Botsford cared for junior
balls, far from it, for at best he would
have but four dances with the object
of his alteration. But still there was
certain significance about Betty's jun
Tor ball. she had explained before
the trouble was brewed. zone always
asks the only man to ones own jun
ior PROM" she had said. and the MEM
CRY OF the statement IllleO BOtSIOrQ
with thoughts that were colored with
the green of jealousy whenever he
thought that Betty might be going to
her Junior prom and might have in
vited some other man to escort her
1t was, as a matter of fact, the
morning of the junior prom and Bots
ford knew it. And now he was only
few blocks from the dormitory
where the tantalizing little Betty
abode, and only one block from the
group of buildings where that same
little woman was undergoing the Ia
borious process of receiving a higher
education
He looked up at a high board fence
and beheld a large red-lettered sign
that began with the words. Ice Skat-
ing-Watch for the Red Flag" Then
another glance revealed the red flag
and another smaller sign that bore the
simple legend-'Men Wanted"
Botsford rather absent mindedly
entered the wooden door in the fence
marked Entrance" and. following a
group of girls, bought ticket and Sc
cured pair of rather rusty, ill-fit-
ting skates. Then, still absent mind
ed, he began to wonder why the sign
had read Men Wanted
He strapped on mis- skates in the
shelter at the edge of the court and
walk to the sheet of ice which covered
the space that in summer and autumn
served as tennis court for the girls
of the college not far away.
he started cautiously, for it was the
first time for year that he had been
on skates. And then, after few pre-
liminary flourishes, he was off. his
hands securely tucked in his pockets,
his body bent forward and his head
held up-in the attitude he had
learned as a boy.
There were not many skaters, and
most those ri,-l- II
might have noticed but he didn't that
he was the only man skating alone
Twice had he gone around the court
when he was hailed by fair haired
at the edge of the ice. He skated
easily and quickly to her
Il am so glad there are some men at
I last" she said, land I am glad you are
life sized One came yesterday, but it
was really pathetic. Imagine me 60
ing around on the arm of a little chap
scarcely five feet four inches. After
L had hung on his little arm ten min
utes, and fallen with him a few times,
ne was quite winded and went without
being paid. But 1 think you'll do.
What do you charge an hour?'
The regular price," was Botsford's
answer, and then cautiously and with
out delay the fair young amazon rose
and, with perfect self possession, said,
| Now we are Off"
Apparently, thought Botsford, he
had been mistaken for an assistant or
instructor. Probably the sign on the
| renee was there to lure men in to
ecort the women skaters in their task
of learning the newly fashionable
sport Most of the skaters were wo-
men, for the court was practically
monopolized by girls from the college.
Somehow he managed not to fall.
though after a half hours work he
found himself growing weary. But
the day promised no diversion more
interesting, and for some reason Bots
! ford always did enjoy being part of a
| harmless misunderstanding. Besides,
unused he, he might before long mus
ter courage enough to ask the amazon
If she knew Betty, although in ap-
pearance at least there could be little
81 common between the two girls
But when the half hour was about
over, another amazon, a stately bru-
nette, approached and called out re-
proachfully:
sized man on the place, What does he
| charge an hOur?
About before he knew it, he was
| struggling at the side of another no.
vice at the art of skating. Later he
returned to his blond, and although
sting of several bruises where he had
fallen with his brunette pupil, he said
nothing of leaving.
Going to be here this afternoon? ?"
she asked as they neared the edge of
the court Il am going to stop now,
but I may be back this afternoon.
Skating is all the rage, you know, and
1 must know all about it before this
cold snap ends. Men are so scarce
around here in the daytime
For the lack of anything better,
Botsford said that he intended to stay
all day. The girl thought a moment
as she sat on the bench Come to
think of it. shan't want you this af-
ternoon, but I may want you tonight
It's junior ball night and don't
want to skate away all my enthusiasm
for that
I, Here she lowered her voice as if she
| did not want the other skaters to hear
what she had to say But men are
scarce even at dances. You have no