The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-07
EVENING STORY
I'm Sorry.

occasion demanded. He was also
stubborn.
You did do it," Althea answered.
II saw you out walking with Irene
Fenwick last night. You went by this
house.
But I didn't. was in the office
last night
81 don't believe you" she snapped
L saw you with my own eyes"
We'll, if you don't believe me, it
isn't my fault"
They were both young and these
temporary tits had come to be a
weekly occurrence. Neither took them
very seriously, altho on this special
occasion Althea seemed to be more
angry than usual. But Bob accept
ed her attitude philosophically.
Let's go to the movies" he sug-
gested.
NO. I won't go anywhere until
But Althea, 1 can't be sorry for
something 1 didn't do. Won't you be
reasonable?"
Very we'll" She spoke calmly, but
with decision. I'm going in the
house"
What can we do in there?" He
still failed to take her seriously.
I'VE can't do anything" she an
swered, emphasizing the personal pro-
noun. But 1 have a book to read"
iii read too He spoke lightly.
how"
Are you going to say you're sorry?"
Nope" He lighted a cigarette.
well, then she spoke slowly. Pm
afraid that I'll have to say good
night
"All right. well both say it" He
smiled whimsically. But what shall
we say it to?''
ITO each other" She held out her
hand. Good night, Bob!'
Good night. Althea!"
He expected her to laugh and
change the subject But she didn't;
instead, she turned abruptly and en-
tered the house. Bob. rather puzzled,
waited until the cigarette had burned
/ to the smallest possible stub. Then he
walked over to the. window of the
library and peered inside. Althea
was nowhere to be seen. Slightly re-
sentful, he pursed his lips and whis-
tied softly. But she did not answer
the signal all was silent. He waited
| for perhaps five minutes more, then
lighted another cigarette. When that
had gone up in smoke he whistled
again but with no results. Suddenly
growing angry. he stamped across the
porch and down the steps, lingering
at the gate in the faint hope that she
would call him back. But sum-
mons came. Head held high, cheeks
flushed angrily, he made his way
homeWard.
lie tnOuSnI possibly IndI she
telephone him the next forenoon. but
in this he was also mistaken. Althea
seemed to be very much in earnest in
her resolution.
IT wish [ had told her 1 was sorry"
| he unused he sat over a blueprint in
his office. Then everything would
| have been all right. Maybe I'll call
her up
But the stubborn streak which was
one of his most noticeable character
. l. rl,%v l. to
desk Finally he slammed down the
cover in disgust, told his stenographer
that he was thru for the day and
left the office.
"A round or two of golf will fix
me up finely he said to himself II
need a little diversion
At the Country club he was unable
to find any one to play with him, so
he started off alone The links were
deserted except for one lone figure
was a girl, and she looked vaguely
familiar. After Bob had reached the
second hole he discovered that it was
i Althea. His heart beat a trifle more
! quickly.
''She plays much more slowly than
I do" he said. TN probably catch
her near the fifth hole"
! But the girl had evidently seen him.
for she followed the ball with I'M
necessary swiftness, and Bob lolling
along in the rear, did not materially
decrease the gap between them. His
eyes followed her, She looked espe-
cially pretty in the plain white skirt
/ and orange sweater.
eff she only weren't so stubborn -
he unused. I'VE could play the round
] together"
| At the seventh hole she sliced into
the rough, and had difficulty in find
| ing the ball. Bob was only about
100 yards away when she resumed
playing, and he was forced to wait
until she was the full two strokes
ahead. Once he thought the she
glanced back rather anxiously. and
he waved his hand, but she had ap-
parently not noticed his attempt to
esta blish communication
She sliced again at the eighth tee
sending the ball into the rough far
to the left. Bob, taking this oppor-
tunity to ''go thru" hurried to the tee
and drove hastily. But the ball, in
stead of going in a straight line as
ing, sliced to the left In a remark
ably direct line. it scared for the ex-
act spot where Althea was standing.
"Fore,'
Bob put all the strength of his lusty
| lungs into the call. The girl looked
up, and attempted to dodge, but it
| was too late. The ball struck a stone
in front of her and bounded swiftly,
striking her just above the knee.
''Oh." she said, and bent down to
| nurse the injured leg.
Bob ran forward at full speed. She
looked at him half resentfully
| "Althea," he said, I'm sorry
didn't think for a moment that /
| would slice in this direction.
Suddenly her face broke into smiles
1T didn't hurt she announced
''but you might have been a little
more careful"
II know it. I'm just as sorry as !
can be- he repeated.
/ Il
it made you say I'm sorry
L ooh - smiled at he icI- E,ot e