The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-21
EVENING STORY
Twenty in One.
(By Earl Reed silvers.)

ratnef uneVentIui young -llIS' VI
three years he had labored for a big
brokerage firm in one of New York's
largest Office buildings, and he was
tired of working. He wanted to see
new people, new scenery. but. most of
all, he wanted to meet new girls.
Sitting comfortably on the upper
deck OF the river steamer he looked
forward with the pleasantest antici-
patton to two weeks of unalioyed, un-
1adulterated pleasure.
The boat slipped out into the stream,
and Dick. signing contentedly. lighted
his briar pipe and settled himself
comfortably for the long ride, for the
steamer was not due in Kingston I'M
til the early afternoon. He drew the
prospectus of the Glenwood hotel from
his pocket, and glanced over it specu-
lativeiy. He liked the picture of the
hotel, with its glimpse of wooded lake
and shaded paths. But one picture
appealed to him especially; it was
photograph of a group of girls; twen-
ty of them, rollicking, carefree, laugh
| ing girls, who looked down upon him
from the steps of the spacious porch.
And as he gazed, Dick Rowland made
a resolution. During the next two
weeks he promised himself that he
would become acquainted with at least
twenty girls in the Glenwood hotel.
Having decided this rather momen-
| tous question. he knocked the ashes
| from his pipe and strolled along the
shaded deck of the boat. 1t was late
In August, and the steamer was crowd
ed with vacationists. In one corner
he spied man talking earnestly to
| girl with black hair and crimson lips.
Dick smiled happily; he would be do
ing the same thing himself before an
other day had passed. Idly he wan
dered from place to place. Every
where were girls-thin ones, fat ones
happy ones, sad ones. But he did
nothing more than glance at them; he
was to have girls of his own on the
morrow.
But suddenly he stopped in his
tracks, eyes staring. In a remote part
overhead decks, he discovered the
prettiest girl he had ever seem Her
light hair curled bewitchingly over
her ears; one stray lock had escaped
| its bounds and was caressing her
cheek. She wore a suit of white cor
duroy, but there was something about
| the way she wore it which made her
different from other girls. She looked
up suddenly and caught Dicks enrap-
tured gaze. He blushed, mumbled
something to himself, and passed on.
All thru the morning he could think
| of little else but the blue of her eyes.
Shortly after noon he wandered idly
| to the dining room The tables were
nearly all filled, but in one corner the
head waiter discovered a vacant seat.
He motioned Dick into it, and Dicks
heart stood still. Directly opposite
him sat the girl he had thought about
for the past two hours. She had evil
IDENTIFY just come in, for she was scan
ming the menu closely, oblivious to the
| interested youth who was gazing at
her So fervently. There were two
other persons at the table, but Dick
noted with satisfaction that they were
almost ready to depart. He offered
silent prayer that they would go soon,
and that the head waiter would have
the good sense to leave him alone with
the girl turnout the meal. His prayer
was granted; the couple arose gra-
ciously and departed; the head waiter
did not come near the table for the
next hour. The colored gentleman
whose duty it was to preside over that
corner of the room evidently believed
that Dick and the girl were friends,
for he served both of their orders
together.
Ten minutes or so elapsed before
Dick gained the courage to address
word to his companion. Even then
his remark was most commonplace.
| MAY I trouble you to pass the
salt ?" he said.
| She handed him the commodity IN
question, and Dick discovered the hint
of a twinkle in her eye. He grew
bolder
us this your first trip up the riv-
ler?' he asked.
ooh, no. She smiled at him, frank
ly, easily. ct have been spending my
vacation in the Catskills for the past
| three years."
Are you on your vacation now"
yes, just starting
$50 am l." Dick looked up hope
fully. 81 wonder if it could be posi-
BILE that we are going to the same
place.
Il hardly think so. The mountains
are pretty large, you know"
Eyes, L know He sank back, dis
couraged. The girl evidently did not
want him to know where she was
hair which had again escaped from
the others inspired him to renewed
efforts. He talked, and she talked,
and before the final course was served
| it hardly seemed possible that they
had known each other for less than
something about himself
| Il don't know very many girls in
New York." he said, land now that
I've started on a vacation, I'm going
as I possibly can I'm going to the
| Glenwood HoteP'-she started Slight
ly, but he did not notice it-"and
| from all reports, there seem to be
girls enough there for every one"
He drew the booklet from his pocket
turning to the picture which had made
| such an impression upon him earlier
in the day. There are twenty girls
in that picture" he announced, land
| hope to know every one of them"
She reached across the table and,
taking the book, examined the photo
| closely. Finally she handed it back
| to him.
DO you see the third girl from the
| corner?" she asked.
| He examined the picture closely
Yes, why?''
She smiled whlmsically.
| Il know her"
| You do?" He spoke eagerly
Whats her name?''
! GLADYS Graydon.''
| Again he ScrutiDiZed the hook he-