The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-30
EVENING STORY
The Road.
(By Louise OliverD

~ painted with the coiors of early
autumn. The fields, shorn Of their
golden crops, were skirted on eltner
side by low hills. already reddenlng
where the oaks were thickest, or yell
lowing amongst the chestnuts ana
naples.
Suddenly the girl flung her arms
wide. "Oh, JIM isn't this glorious
just to be alive, just to exist, to,
breathe and see everything. and feel
the sun and air! I could keep on like
this forever and forever. I'm so hap
by. dear, it almost makes me sad"
She faced him, smiling radiantlys
but with it all tears stood in her eyes
Jim took one hand off the wheel
and slipped an arm tenderly around
her waist, drawing her to him ana
kissing her passionately. There was no
one to see except COW grazing lazily
in a fence corner under a tree, and
perhaps it had seen such things be-
fore.
you dear" he exclaimed. II was
just thinking the same thing Wen.
grille, there's no reason why we
shouldn't go rolling along thru life
just like this, is there. We may not
always be in an automobile, and per-
haps the fields won't always be green.
nor the sun so bright, nor the road SO
smooth, but as long as you're Sou
and I'm I, and we get married as we
intend to, can't see why life won't be
a mighty sweet dream, can youY En-
girlie?'
mo, Jigmy-unless.' She ran her
hand tenderly up and down his arm:
UNLESS what? There isn't going to
he anv unless, Helen. wish there
wasn't such a word in the language
for women to hang onto. Unless, put,
because if-they're all wonens
words. Now, dry your eyes ana cnees
up. honey" For the bright tears had
insisted on coming again. and twice
Aa5 do hhad them drV with neE
handkerchief. ,,o
is such a thing as crying for pure JOY.
only it seems that whenfIm happlesI
I'm always saddest, too. SAD, / sup
pose, because other people aren't as
Forget it. That's their funeral. 1t
would be~a great world, wouldn't it.
If we were responsible for other peo-
pies troubles?'' =,
ed. but think if you had been draft
ed instead of Homer, wouldn't you
have liked a little bit of sympathy?
eff again. Once there were two
two old maids, and one day one came
home and foun1 the other crying be-
cause. as she said, what If one OF
ther should get married and have
son, and she should send him down
to the cellar to get
"Oh, Jim, Jim!" Helen laughed in
II.
don't quote that silly old story every
time l say if' But what if you had
been drafted instead of Homer"
well, what?"
I'D just die, that's ALL
Now, look here, grille. don't talk
that way. Anne didn't die. did she?
And she thinks as much of Homer as
you do of me-"
Helen was silent a minute. But
that's different. dear. Anne's made
of sterner stuff than am. Why |
believe shed take a gun and go ont
and fight herself DO believef too,
that If Homer hadn't been drafted,
she'd have made him enlist any
way"
been drafted, he would have enlisted
without Anne telling him to. That's
the stuff he's made Of"
Helen's face was troubled. do
you think he would, Jim? l suppose
it's because he was in the guard once.
Perhaps he feels that he ought to CO.
Don't you think it's a good way to
Yves, if man isn't going TO be
married.
THAT'S SO. Still, Homer ana Anne
intend to be married-some time. And
no doubt a good many of the million
men we have got ready intend to get
married-some time"
She turned and faced him square
1y why, Jim Harlowe, what are yoaI
talking this way for? I really be-
lieve you're sorry we are engaged so
you can't 60
I'm not sorry we're engaged,
dear" ne denied quietly.
Then what is it? Do you want
me to be like Anne and tell you to
mo. / wouldn't want to have to be
told. dear.
Then what is it? You do aes-so
queerly and / can't understand you
at all 1 just thought there. was
something wrong"
You certainly have a way of get
ting at things. Helen" he evaded.
Here we started out IS happy as two
kittens on fence; fine day, good
road, just two of US, and the
whole world before US. And you in
sisted on being sad about something
start to ask questions and
Jim, tell me; what is it," she de-
manded
He hesitated Just an instant. I've
enlisted, little sgirl, that's ALL"
The car slid noiselesslys over the
smooth road. A robin perched on q
fence flew away as they rolled by.
Away off over the fields came a soft
lowing of cattle. The whole country
seemed SO sweet and peaceful, mil
lion miles away from any thought Of
war. Helen, still facing Jim. did not
answer instantly. as he expected, with
a stormy protest and a food of tears.
Instead, wonderful, glorious smile
overspread her face and her eyen
shone UNANIMOUSLY. "Oh. Jim, JIM"
she breathed almost too low for him
to hear. I'm SO glad. IL didn't
think / could. be SO glad, but 1 am.
I'm SO proud. Why---I never Thought
before could bear it, but l can. Won
see. It's wonderful. Jim. I'm 80
proud of you, dear. My Jim enlistfnes
It's funny, dear. always cry Tor
things / don't know about. and I
must have guessed there was some
thing wrong. but I'll not cry, for
know Reaily.-I think I've felt ratffs
er out of it because I had no soldier