The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-01
EVENING STORY
Love One.

Love One.
(By Earl Reed Silvers)
Ray Gardner and Mildred Flint were
engaged to be married. Everybody
agreed that the match was an ideal
one; both young people were MEM
bers of the Country club; both played
tennis, rode horseback and drove their
own automobiles with an abandon and
proficiency which were the envy of
their acquaintance. And, moreover,
they had been designated by one en-
thusiastic friend of Rays as the best
sports in the world
There's only one danger in the
match" Mary Hughson, Mildred's
especial chum, announced Both
have always, had everything they
wanted, and II they should ever each
want something different, there's
bound to be a clash"
Mary's words returned to Mildred
with double force as she sat on the
Country club porch with Ray. They
were talking about the house they
were going to build. The entire fur
nishing of the big living room had
ornament which should adorn the
ledge at the top of the massive stone
fireplace. :,
I've ought to have something In
keeping with the plan of the room
raw announced. "A deer's head, or
nair of snowshoes or something like
But Mildred shook her pretty brown
head stubbornly.
Everybody can have that kind OF
thing" she answered. "What we "ane
is something that no one else can
have
.Well, what would you suggest?
at don't know" Mildred glanced at
the man beside her, the hint OF d
twinkle in her eye. you've Always
l.
ity," she chided. 'Supposing you sus-
gest something"
att isn't in my line" Ray answered
with a touch of dignity: ITS the
girls place to select the furnishings
Mildred frowned. Her rowing eyes
fell mon a beautiful loving cup which
was standing on exhibition in the bay
window of the clubhouse Her face
lighted.
All right" she announced half
chidingly. st think that cup would
look adorable over our fireplace"
Ray smiled into her challenging
saThe cup for the nation al champion
ship would look good, too" he an
swered ''All that I'd have to do
to win it would be to beat Norris
Yes; and all that you have to do to
win the club cup is to beat Tom Pen
nington."
zone is just about as easy as the
other to me. Give me something easy,
Mildred.
The girl lifted her chin the fraction
of an inch
Anybody can do easy things" she
answered "I think that cup would
look just fine in our living room"
1T sure would" Ray smiled good
naturedly Let's have a set of tennis"
Mildred shook her head.
81 want you to win that cup" she
said, steadily.
But Mildred, dear 1 can't do that"
There was just touch of irritation in
his voice. "You know as well as I do
that I could never beat Pennington"
you can try"
Yes, but that wouldn't do any good
He'd wallop the tar out of me-"
"Oh! So you don't want to do as I
ask you?"
Don't be foolish; it wouldn't get US
anything"
ut might get us the cup, and think
you're a mean thing for not. trying"
Ray smiled sadly. The ways CT
women were still mystery to him,
and, not knowing what else to do. he
kept silent. The late afternoon sun
cast long shadows over the clay
courts; from within the clubhouse
came the sound of music. Suddenly
Mildred turned to her companion, one
bright tear glistening in the corner of
each eye.
You told me once that you'd do
anything in the world for me- she
said.
II will"
Then try for the cup"
Ray Gardner bowed his head in de-
feat. So it came about that his name
was enrolled in the annual tourna-
nent for the championship of the
Glenwood Country club.
Some people said it was just luck, !
and others maintained that Gardner
always was one of the best players
in that section of the country; but at
any rate, he went through the first
three rounds easily, and found himself
facing an entry named Jim Smithson
for the semifinal match. If it had
not been for the tense face of Mildred. |
Ray would have taken the whole thing
as good joke, but the girls shining
eyes gave a seriousness to the affair |
which he could not evade. He play-d
the best that he knew how. but when |
Smith won the first set to 1, he knew
that nothing but a miracle could save
him.
And then the miracle happened. In
attempting to follow his serve to the
net Smith turned his ankle and sank
to the ground, utterly useless for any
further work Ray protested heartily !