The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
EVENING STORY

(By Dorothy Douglas. )

(By Dorothy DOuSldS.(
Walgrove turned from the box Of
flee. Disappointment was written on
his face.
There's not a seat 70 be had, Sis.
I'm frightfully sorry. Bpt 1 expected
it. There hasn't been a show like
Back There on Broadway for some
time
His sister. Peggy, reflected his dis
appointment. However. she smiled.
1T can't be helped, Vance," she said
cheerfully. but I should love to have
seen it before going back home"
They were leaving the foyer reluc-
family when two girls approached
them.
I'VE have one seat extra in the fifth
row." the elder of the two girls said.
addressing herself to Peggy; IF you
care to take tit will help US out"
I'VE wanted two" Walgrove return
ed quickly, being quite accustomed to
this manner of purchasing seats; my
siste' is only in town until tomo- row,
and l wanted especially to take her
tonight" He fingered moment while
the two girls conferred in undertones.
The elder again spoke, this time ad-
dressing Walgrove:
Miss Gale says she will let you
have her seat since it is the only night
your sister can come. Perhaps she
and Miss Weeks will get seats another
time" =
"Oh!" Peggy exclaimed swiftly, and,
turning to the girl: This is too good
of you. 1 wouldn't think of using
your Seat - Sh saw with swift COM
pgehension that the girls had no doubt
bought the seats many weeks in ad-
vance by way of a rare treat. They
apparently toiled for their theater
tickets a few extra nights week
Gladys Gale answered. a slight blush
making her even more charming to
| look upon. Il am only happy to let
soldier have my seat" she said. Nan
Weeks and l will come another time"
She spoke for moment. with her COM
! panion; then, with a swift nod which
included both Walgrove and his sister,
she went out of the theater.
1T is awfully good of your friend"
Peggy continued speaking when, after
| Walgrove had exchanged four dollars
| for the two seats, they all went into
1.-the theater. you see, my brother may
| be called out any moment, and l want
ed to see as much of him as possible"
She gazed rather proudly at the big
man in khaki, and SO did Miss Greene.
| The latter, much inclined to con-
versation, told Peggy about the small
flat she had with the two other girls.
Il just kind of keep an eye on
Gladys and Man, she said. I'm a
good deal older and feel motherly
toward them We all work during the
day and now Nan has taken up Red
Cross work. That's the reason she had
to give up her seat tonight. She's
! been waiting for vacancy in the home
care class and didn't expect it to come
so soon"
Miss Nan must be a plucky little
woman" commented Vance, and Peggy
felt rather ashamed of being an almost
idle person.
"One of the finest affirmed Miss
/ Greene. Nan has looked forward for
many weeks to seeing her favorite in
Back There and gave it up without a
| murmur when she found out her class
was called. Both Gladys and 1 tried
to dissuade her, but she refused TO
miss the lesson
The rising of the curtain prevented
| further chatter, but Vance was con-
scious that his sister welcomed femi-
nine companionship as well as his
own. He heard them make soft COM
ment on gowns and setting, which he
as a mere man failed to appreciate.
Altogether, Miss Greene was an agree
able addition to the party.
During the intermission Miss Greene
again spoke of the small flat.
II suppose Gladys and Nan will be
| making some delicious SavOry about
this time. We always plan something
awfully good to eat before retiring
in fact, make regular evening of it
| when we are extravagant enough to
get theater tickets"
She glanced 1aughingly at Miss
Walgrove and found that young lady's
eyes wistful She drew a quick breath
After all, she reasoned. perhaps
wealthy people envied the WORKING
people their power of enjoyment.
Peggy voiced her thoughts. Her
eyes remained wistful. You see,
don't know many girls in the city
and those whom 1 have met only
care for restaurants and dancing.
quite envy you your little honey flat
and late suppers. l suppose you have
little studio aprons and tiny kitchen
cite and pink potted plants in the
windows"
Miss Greene laughed quickly. You
could not have described US better
had you been in our flat" She paused
a moment in thought while she cas-
a swift, searching look at Vance Wal
grove. HE seems human" was hel
inward comment. She turned agar
to Peggy. IF you and your brother
will come I will be so glad to tele
phone the girls to prepare enough
supper for five instead of three to-
night"
"Ohi I should just love it," Peg
gy's real delight shone in her eyes
Il will persuade Vance while you are
telephoning."
she had little difficulty with hel
brother. Aside from wanting tt
please Peggy. he felt that he wanted
to get as much out of life as possible
He knew that should he be called t.
the trenches there would be many
night when he would long for a little
honey flat and a charming girl or TIVE
busying herself about him
Miss Greene telephoned, and whe1
the play was over taxi whirle6
them swiftly down to the little fla
in West Twenty-fourth street. 1t wa
all that Peggy had dreamed of. Thu
. girls Nan and Gladys, were waiting
and a savory odor greeted the tire,
; from the theater.
, After introductions WalGrove nat
ural1y drifted toward Nan Weeks. Sh,
| was slim and pale and seemed quit,
unable to stand the strain of typinl
all day long and studying nursing il
the evening.
But 1 would far rather die in
| nurses uniform than in ordinary of
; flee clothes" she argued softly to Wal
grove, land 1 will have the satisfac
/ ton of knowing I tried to help in thi
great big fight for humanity. 1 don
want to liYe-if l am only to eat foo