The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-12
The EDenirg Story
Carrie Was Cute!

his father handed out letters and
stamps.
The errand upon which he was bent
just now being somewhat out of the
ordinary, Jim felt nervous and i'll at
ease and the marble corridored apart
ment hotel was so entirely different
from Parks tavern, where he was ac-
customed to find accommodations for
himself, that he was bewildered as
well.
The elevator left him at the sixth
floor and slid downward out of sight.
He was alone in the sickening silence
of empty elegance. A plush sofa, a
hall rack. cuspidor, even, would have
made him feel at home. But there
was something chilly about the mosaic
floor, iron grill work, marble columns
and a single solemn picture in oil.
The quiet was broken by a FOOTBALL
and a maid in a blue and white striped
dress appeared. Here at last was a
human being. Jim took off his hat
and bowed. Can you tell me which
door is Mr.. Jerome Covington's?"
I'm going there now" she said
curiously. TN take you.''
So Jim followed the girl with her
busters and armfuI of clean linen and
ped. 1t was opened by a good-looking
man with a palette on his arm. Don't
go into the studio to clean, Jane. Just
do the bedroom, please" And as the
girl disappeared into the room beyond
he turned to Jim. Good morning."
said he pleasantly. DO you wish to
see me-"
'Are-are you Mr.. Covington?"
Yes. Won't you come in and sit
down? Do you smoker" He took
some cigars out of a humidor and held
them out. Jim selected one with a
light it. He looked nervously around
at the luxurious sitting room, slid the
cigar into his pocket and broke out,
I'm Jim Walsh from Coles Crossing. 1
hear you're goinss to board at
Merckle's out our way. Is it true?'
The artist took couple of puffs at
his own cigar and knocked off the
ashes. why yesl 1 believe that's
the name. There is a view out there.
the bay and the bluff and the hills be-
yond. that L want to get. L advertised
and they answered"
''Well--" went on Jim, who was
gaining courage with returning hostil-
ity as he noted the strong, attractive
face, well set shoulders and easy man
ner of the other, Il though I'd let you
know that I'm engaged to Carrie
Mercl<le and L won't have any fooling.
She's as pretty a picture, and sweet,
and she thinks she's in love with me.
She is, too, but if you go out there in
your velvet coat and black tie and
paint pictures and act the swell city
dude, she'll shake me in two days.
And I won't have it. 1 just came to
tell you
Jerome Covington threw away his
cigar. ''Nonsensei" he cried.
Its truei" answered Jim doggedly
The older man looked thoughtful.
1.-The girls in the movies do seem to
have a penchant for velvet coats and
flowing ties. It's queer, isn't it? II
Miss Carrie has the same tendency it
might be Dad for you-thats true.
What would Won suggest ~
Jim, Modified, sprang up and held
out his hand. Thanks. That's the
talk. 1 thought you would understand.
Couldn't we find you another place %
mo. I'd rather go there. 1t just
suits But if 1 wear smock-how
would that do? They are so olsen
chanting. And 1 could put on spec
tacles if you think it would help and
wear a wig for that matter"
But still you're an artist" pro-
tested Jim.
'T'n tell her I'm in the advertising
business and do signboards."
''AlI right" Jim was radiant. That
ought to fix it. You see, Carrie and L
have known each other ALL
Yes, yes, understand. Well, don't
worry any more. I'll try to see that
Miss Carrie does not get sidetracked
in her affections"
So Jim departed, satisfied with the
result of his errand, and returned to
Coles Crossing with the air of
Monte Cristo.
Until the time of departure, Jerome
Covington gave little or no thought to
.Jim's petition He promised easily
it was not always so easy to make
good. However, as he was packing,
Jims visit came into his head. Cad,
I'll do iti' said he to himself. ut
would be nuisance to have some silly
girl simpering always in the back
ground anyway" So he bought loose
smock, a wig and spectacles. Here's
to hard work and isolation he cried
as he finished packing.
There goes the new boarder to
Merckle'si" said some one the next
and a man got into buggy beside
Carrie. Jim had seen and was salts
fled. Even he doubted the identity of
his late acquaintance. The disguise
was complete.
But, oddly enough, there began a
period of perplexity and CONSERVATION
! for Jim Wallis For to his amazement
and the surprise of all her friends,
| Carrie fell Immediately and desper-
ately in love with the dreadful-look-
| ing newcomer Her infatuation was
perfectly evident because she made no
| secret of it. Jim moaned wretchedly-
/ His worst fears were realized. IF
she's swallowed him whole with all
that truck on. what would she have
done to the real thing? 1 believe
1 hos squaaled He's fooled me. For
no girl on Gods earth could care for
a fellow like that. He looks more like
scarecrow than a man. I'm going
to find out the truth" So, seeking an
opportunity, he collared his man one
morning crossing a field to his favor
| tie haunt.
| Jerome Covington heard him out,
! then, looking cautiously in every direc-
ton. he whispered: Ssh, Maybe
she's around. Do you know, Jim. l
can't understand it. She's got me go
ing, too. 1 can't move without her fol-
lowing. The funny part of it is she
never seems crazy to talk to me or if
she does it's always about the weather
or whether 1 like gravy with beefsteak
or something like that. But she looks
so moo1y-excuse me-too sweet at
me for anything if any one is around
And she follows me places where she
| thinks people will see, and she tells