The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-27
EVENING STORY
GeraIdine's Answer.
CBy Louise oliver. }

(ByA Louise Oliver.)
"Hello Yes. this is Geraldine Ford.
who? No. 1 can't guess. 1 haven't
an idea. Well, since you insist on it
I'll have to, 1 suppose. Is it Arthur
Wright?
No? Really It sounds like his
voice-the way you terked out that
of course not sounded exactly IKE
him, too.
.'Then-let me see-is it Fred Oak
ley? Yes, I'm sure it's Fred-he
promised to call me up if he heard
where Jim's ship was. That's nice of
you, Fred, and do tell me about dear
Jim I've been SO anxious about him.
Really I've dreamed about him for
What?
Not Fred Then who in the world
are you?
.Dick-Dick Lippincott? Why. the
idea, 1 never thought of it being
you. Why didn't you say so in the
first place?
Thought I'd know! The very idea
as tho l could tell any one's voice
over the telephone.
Told me you'd call me up? Well,
1 can't remember that long.
Only last night! Well. like thati
Only last night! 1 suppose only last
think it's a very long time-to re-
mem Der things.
Thought / meant something else?
How funny, Why, what else could
remember?
Guess? There you go again. What
is this, anyway a guessing party?
You'd think hadn't another thing in
the world to DO but hang over the
telephone answ ering riddles.
There, you needn't get angry, /
haven't said anything. Besides, I'm
not anxious to go on guessing riddles
any longer, and L think some one is
wanting the line. Well be charged
for two calls now, for we've talked
for more than three minutes. and
Dads always fussing about the tele-
phone bill.
What Why, Dick Lippincott,
| didn't know you could use such Ian
guage. If you're not careful you'll
have your telephone taken out. That's
what it says in the book-no profane
| language.
We'll, I'd like to know what it is,
then, if>it isn't swearing.
Yes, L think you'd better beg my
pardon.
'I-know what you called me up
| forf How should 1 knows Say, is
| this going to be another guessing af-
! fair? If it is I'm going to hang up.
Besides, I'm busy-awfully busy.
"M-hm. Mending my dress that
got torn on the rose bush last night
when we were taking a walk. 1 want
to wear it to the Aliens tonight. 1t
got torn fearfully, the ribbons off the
net ruffle for a whole yard and L have
+, to sew it by hand.
| What do l want to wear it for?
oh, because. What do you want
| to know forf Can't 1 wear it again if
1 want to?
! Because you said you, liked it?
why, I didn't remember Did you
say you liked it? Well, told you be-
fore l can't remember things SO long
What is it You think it's long
| time too, only for a different reason
Don't l remember anything you
said last night? Why, let me see. Wait
just minute. I'm thinking. Yes
you said Betty Harlowe looked like a
wood nymph in that gauzy white dress
she had on, and that Laura Seaton
was the wittiest person you'd ever
Don't say thunder 1t sounds al
most like swearing over the phone.
No, L can't remember anything
else you said.
You don't believe it?"
Here the receiver went UP with ;
bang. but Geraldine wisely waited OF
the stool In an instant the bell lin
gled furiously. She watched tn,
phone curiously for a full minute
smiling over each ring Then sh,
took down the receiver calmly
Hello" she said, in a PARKWAY de
tached voice.
Yes, this is Geraldine" she Wen
on coldly.
Not through L can't conceive VIII
you should wish to talk to me whei
you don't believe anything l say.
| You're sorry?"
You don't sound like it,
All right, if you're really. trul,
sorry I'll forgive you.
'Someth. ng very important to saw
That's interesting.
THE same thing you started to tel
me last night when 1 ran away?
II didn't run away. Some one wa
calling me. 1 mad to 60
No, 1 haven't an idea, honestly.
Please don't have me guessing
again. really must get back to m!
sewing.
why, Dick Lippincott, do yor
know what you're doing? You are act
uaiiy p-proposing to me over tn
telephone Anybody might hear you
I'm sure Mrs. Cartwright has beer
trying to call up her grocer for
haf hour. She's probably on tn,
line now.
y Cant wait-think I'll run AVA
tagain if you wait till tonight? Wei
there are other nights, aren't there
Won't give you chancei Well
you do1't suppose I'm going to throw
myself into anybody's arms. do you
oh. Dick, don't say such thing
over the telephone. Besides you can
possibly think I'd say yes, do you, ever
If | had a mind to. with the Who'll,
town listening?
No, I can't forget it. you can sa.
as you like. But / won't say no
either. for it's none of their business
is it, what 1 say? So I'm just goins
to be Mcfarland not say anythin;
rat all.
Why. Dick, you did say all tina
before, about caring SO much ant
flowing me So long and everything
Do you think you need to say it 81
many times?
Going to say it until I answer?
Suppose l don't answer and leav'
the telephone? What would you do
.aCnrna riohf