The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-18
EVENING STORY

(By Maud Muller.)


TO say yes of course" Willard
broke in peevishly. What else can
you say-being a well-brought-up
young person"
why, no, goosey-only I'm not
sure 1 want to say it. Not absolutely,
Elinor returned -judicially. Willard
smothered an imprecation. we know
what the end is-when woman lis.
tens he said, bitterly. Elinor laugh
ed coftly. "In the end she-changes
her mind sometimes" she said Don't
be a simpleton, Johnny Willard. We
may be counting chicks that are never
to be hatched.'
What with that letter. Willard
cried. Again Elinor laughed. You
overlook the date-April 1st," she
said. Suppose somebody-never mind
who-were playing a prank to embar-
rass me?''
somebody whose name is Anne
McGraw! 1 see!" Willard cried. his
face wonderfully brighter. Don't call
names-it isn't safe" Elinor entrcat-
ed. but there's another angle: Sup
pose Wesley Martin himself wrote this
proposal, then If it was refused he
could cry April fool!'"
IF he did I'd be tempted to shoot
him. Willard said furiously. Elinor
shook her head, saying. loftiiy: In
gratitude, thy name sJohnny Millard-
| Then, running on quickly 1T lies
between these two-but with writing
so characterless and indeterminate L
| can't make out whether it is the nan
or the woman"
Anne would give her back hair to
have you say NO." Willard giggied.
when it cost $50! You can't get such
| a switch for even that, now" she said:
| which is why I'm so thankful not to
need one-if l did need it," A sigh
and shake of the head finished the
| sentence.
You know you need be nothing
but yourself the enamored Willard
said, softly. Again she shook her
head head WRONGS usual" she said
things l lack. Why. with single
poor million 1 could make myself a
| tearing, raving beauty"
Mature was before you. Be salts
fled with her work" Willard said
fondly. daring to touch lightly a goi-
den tendril above her ear. Buff
only you'll trust yourself to me-
How can 1? If you think I'm
| already perfect you won't slave to
improve me-" Elinor said provokinsly.
Then, with quick contrition: Forgive
my being horrid. Johnny. can hardly
forgive myself"
you need no forgiveness from
anybody" Johnny, the infatuate. said
fondly, patting her hand. She let
him hold 1t while she went on. My
great mind is to send this"-touching
the letter she held-"on to Anne. My
as you see: 'Enchantress of my heart!'
You'll help me, won't you. address it
in a disguised but masculine hand ?"
TN do anything -but-but do you
think that is quite fair?" Willard
asked. Suppose the thing is honest.
Yves Martin may not have noted the
date"
Don't believe it, He and Anne
were staggering over tricks they had
played in other years the last time
they were here" Elinor interrupted
IF he alone sent it, I'm sure it was
a scheme; if both are in it, think how
flat they'll feeli''
What will be the upshot? ?" Willard
questioned.
Elinor shrugged. wedding bells,
of course, stupid she said. Trust
Anne for that--even if she knew"
, You think she'll try to hold him to
,, it, in any case?" Willard asked, his
eyes rather amazed. Elinor nodded
vigorously. with all the pleasure in
life" she said. so make haste with
your addressing"
Il demand a bride Cor forgery"
Willard said. putting his bands be-
hind him. She looked at him re-
proachfully. VIII not the conscious
ness of a good deed suffice?" she
asked. 81 call it a work both of char
ity and necessity to help Anne to a
husband. Eldest of six McGraws-
all girls and the rest sintllly ugly"
. Here goes | prove me Adams
= SUI as you Eve ; uduS leulp-
: tress," Willard laughed, writing the
name with many flourishes. When
the letter was sealed stamped Elinor
said, her eyes dancing: 'Now run
away and mail it-and don't you dare
, come again until there are develop
ments.'
She had not long to wait The very
next morning came wall by phone
n Wesley Martin, esquire, was certain
he had mixed up his mail He had
! r-it 70 To
Graw, you know-at the same time.
Anne had just called up TO say-Oh.
well that she had got the wrong note
and couldn't wait to write. Had Eli
nor got the epistle mean for Anne ?
1t is a pity wires can carry only
sounds-Elinor's headshake was so
splendidly emphatic. He. assurances
made Wesley moan harde- than ever.
When she made light of the mistak Ike
1T could be only a trifit-he posi-
lively groaned, ending with a half
blubbered, I'm coming over right
away. I'll have a fit If 1 can't get
E things Strengthened"
He came spoke. but did not get
things Strengthened. E1in.,r met him
with both hands held out, crying:
Greetings! Publications. So you
did do it. in spite of your shynessl
I'm so glad. 1t was very clever of you
to make April fooling help you out"
= "I-I-er-don't quite understand"
Wesley faitered, but with such a beet
colored countenance as belied his
: / speech. Elinor patted a limp hand
quite affectionately. sayIrg in her
, kindest voice: "Oh. no. You forge,
! other people can call me up-Anne
? McGraw- did the minute you were
/, thru talking. And she told Newell,
good news She'll make you a splen-
! did Wife"
"But-but-I don't want her. I
!. want you-its all a mistake-she
E knew-she helped in the writing
she must have mixed UP things-sent
the proposal to herself" Wesley cried
= in confusion. II didn't write her
} that was just-just-a way toilet
y ! her 011f