The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-13
EVENING STORY
Whittier Thou GoeSt.
(By Earl Reed Siivers. }

Adam and Noah were more or less
responsible for the human race, but,
all in all, she delved very little into
the mysteries of literature, Biblical or
otherwise. The past had little signifi
canoe; what Nora cared about was
the present-and grand and glor-
ious present it was, for it gave to her
hope and happiness. and the thrill of
youths dearest dream. For Nora was
in love with Tommy Lyons.
Tommy was tWenty-one ana Nora
eighteen. To look at Tommy's eyes
one would imagine that he was poet
rather than plumber; and to look
at the wealth of Nora's golden hair
was to gaze upon a treasure invalu-
able Tommy was six feet three, and
Nora five feet two; but the heart of
each was filled to overlooking with
the joy of life and the fullness of mu-
tual love. What mattered then such
q thing as size?
Possibly there was in Morals actions
just the hint of the clinging-vine type
of girl, but to Tommy it meant only
loyalty. There was something about
Nora which called for protection, and
Tommy was perfectly willing to be
the protector so long as he was sure
OF his girl" And he felt in his heart
of hearts that Nora was his forever
to have and to hold" Had he been a
student of the Bible, he would have
proclaimed loudly and confidently
that Ruth had nothing on Nora, that
whittier he went, Nora would go also
she would, in fact, have gladly gone
with him to the foot of the altar had
not one barrier, seemingly insur-
mountable, interviewed. AS a plumbers
helper Tommy's salary was SIS
week, and altho neither Nora nor her
flance was blessed with an unusually
high degree of intelligence. both knew
that two people could not live on that
amount, especially with butter up to
50 cents a pound. So they sighed
hole-heartedly and in unison and
waited for the dawn of a better day
Ihey mad been waiting for a year
When one night in the early spring
Tommy reached the McMurtry flat
almost an hour before his usual time
Nora was cleaning up the supper dish
es, but she piled them all together in
the oven of the gas range when she
heard the ring at the street door, and
hurried down to the from porch to
greet the visitor
Il didn't think you'd come so soon,"
she announced. But I'm glad you
did, anyway. 1t means another hour
! together.
She seated herself at the top of the
rather rickety steps and looked into
Tommy's eyes. Tommy returned the
| look unwaveringly for a moment or
two, and then gazed rather thought
fully down the crowded street.
"Girlie," he asked suddenly. How
would you like to go away from
here?"
I'D die if I had to live anywhere
else Nora answered instantly. 1--WE
| lived in this town all my life
| The light suddenly went out of Tom
| mys eyes.
Obj he said Then it's all Off"
Whats all OFF,"
| What 1 was going to tell you
about"
what was it?"
Tommy shook his head YEARLY.
/ II won't tell you now he said. TT
wouldn't do any good"
| Something in the hopeless finality
of his tone sent a chill of apprehen-
sion thru Nora's brain. ImpulsiveIy
she grasped her companions arm:
| What do you mean. Tommy" she
| asked, Were you going to tell me
something Important
| 1T was important" the boy answer
ed slowly. But now it doesn't matter
| at ALL"
why doesn't it?"
| Because of what you said about
leaving the city"
Nora regarded him with a puzzled
| frown.
II don't see how that had anything
to do with what you were going to
say" she remarked.
1T had a lot to do with it. Why
do you like this town SOP"
/ why, l was born here"
rs that any reason why you
couldn't go away?"
go away where?"
well, to a farm, for instance; up
in the mountains, with green grass
| that"
%Oh." Nora drew back impulsively.
| I'm afraid of a cow
| Tommy laughed rather shortly.
| Il knew there wasn't no hope" he
said bitterly. II oughtn't to have said
anything about it,"
mo hope for what?" Nora was very
much in the dark as to what he was
! driving at
You're just like any other city
girl" Tommy continued, ignoring her
! question. You don't know what it is
to wake up at o'clock in the morn
ing and see the sun come up over the
hills. You're afraid of a COW which
wouldn't hurt even a kitten, and you
don't even know that a duck lays
eggs"
There was a wistful light in the
depths of Tommy's eyes. He was liv-
seeing himself barefooted on the farm
on which his father worked, feeling
the touch of the cool grass on his
tanned feet, breathing the bracing air
of a perfect spring day in the noun
tains
Morals big eyes opened even wider.
Il thought you liked it here" she
said.
Il do like it a little, but that's only
because you are here. Otherwise l
wouldn't stay another minute"
What would you do?"
/ I'D go back TO the country"
Gould you get job up there?"
| Yes"
/ rs that what you were going to tell
me?"
! Yes"
What kind of job is it %
There was something in Nora S
voice which made Tommy suddenly
glad again
Il got letter from Nick Phillips
this morning" he explained slowly.
Nick says that old man Glenwood is
looking for man and his wife to take
over his farm for the summers IT
means sixty collars a month and all
expenses, and the job has been Of