The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-17
EVENING STORY
A Frank Opinion.
(By Arthur Wallace Peach.

Park Hayden was dressed IN
spirits. He had spent lonely evening
in the city and was on his way to the
suburb where he roomed- The car
was the last one for the night. and it
contained only two passengers besides
himself-a girl and a flashily dressed
young fellow.
The girl was slender in figure,
small and pretty of face and dark of
hair She seemed to be restless and
under some kind of strain.
But Haydon'S thoughts rested with
his fellow passengers only brief time
He was thinking that something was
wrong with him. For four years he
had worked as a clerk in the office OF
the firm without a raise of salary. He
had made few friends-and not girl
had ever smiled upon him. To lone
ly chap a friendly, girlish smile means
a great deal. and Hayden knew it.
His chief trouble was that he did
not know what was wrong with him.
He was square and honest in his deal
ings, worked hard ana was willing to
do others a good turn.
A light touch on his shoulder drew
his attention, and he turned to look
into the oval-Shape face of the girl
passenger. 1t was a girlish face, and
on it was an anxious, worried express
sion that gave a touch of pathos to
her dark eyes. She sank into the seat
with him. and spoke hurriedly, her
white throat Quivering as she spoke
and a little color showing in her
cheeks.
please don't think me forward. but
that man there has been following me,
I think. I've seen him a few times
before. I live in this section, and l
have quite a way to walk thru a dark
street. I'm afraid he may get off and
81 ,aIvl
really don't know what to do. I
don't see how the conductor can help
me. Can you tell me what to do?'
Hayden was dazed for more than
moment. No girl ever had spoken to
him other than in the course of bus
mess, and here was a pretty, frighten-
ed girl asking his aid. He looked
ahead at the man to whom she had re-
ferred. He was broad shouldered and
the shoulders suggested strength
Hayden recalled stories he had heard.
Something desperate might be done if
such a man were opposed.
The girl was waiting, please don't
think I am too easily frightened she
went on hastily. He may not bother
me, but I can't go on any further to
the town, for 1 know no one there"
In her state of mind, her words
were not entirely clear, but Hayden
gathered their import. He looked
again az the shoulders. and saw
Keen, SaIOW race glance pack ana
then turn quickly away. A shiver
went thru him. There was something
cold and sinister in his face.
Hayden moved his feet uneasily. IT
don't know" he answered hesitating-
| ly. ct don't believe he will hurt you
He stopped because he realized how
cowardly ard inane his words seemed.
The girls sensitive face flushed
quickly. He saw that she looked at
him with contempt. Without a word
she went to her seat.
| The car sped on At last. the girls
hand was raised as a signal to stop.
AS she did so, the other man reused
himself and repeated the signal.
With white face, the girl rose and
staggered down the aisle to the door,
and after her the man whom she fear
ed. After they had alighted and the
car had moved away, the conductor, a
slight, gaunt-faced youth, came up to
Hayden.
what was the matter with the
grip he asked.
Hayden told him. The lean jaw
dropped, and the young fellow stared
| at Hayden. why didn't you go with
her?" he demanded.
why should 1 butt in ?" was the
half hearted reply.
The conductor turned with an oath
of disgust. II know what the trouble
is with you-you're a blamed cow
ardi"
He jerked the bell. Now you gel
= off. beat it back there. and see that