The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-22
EVENING STORY
The I-Don't-Care Girl.
(By Earl Reed Silvers.)

Dick Willever as they merged into the
darkness of what was known as Low
ers lane. He watched them until
they disappeared into the shadows,
and then, with a sigh, he turned and
made his way to the swinging couch.
The porch was deserted. From
within the club came the sound of
lsoft music, but even as Jim listened
the strains died away, only to be fol-
lowed by burst of enthusiastic hand
clapping. The music began again,
louder, more insistent, and Jim smiled
unconsciously as he recognized the
tune. The orchestra was playing
Keep Your Eyes on the Grille You
Love-"
We'll" Jim thought to himself
rather bitterly, that's just what have
been doing, but when the girl you love
takes a moonlight walk with another
fellow, it's better not to have any
eyes"
He smiled grimly. Only the day
without her would be hardly with the
living. The scene came before him
now with startling vividness. They
had been sitting on the steps of her
house; the moon had risen early, and
one stray moonbeam had slipped thru
the thick foliage of the spreading oak
over the porch and had crowned Mar
garets piquant face with an aura of
silver.
Margaret" he had said suddenly.
I'I-I love you"
She had looked at him for a mo-
ment with startled eyes and then the
peal of her hearty laughter had
sounded discordant with the silence of
the evening.
Jim she had said, you don't
mean it, surely? Not you?"
why not me?" he had answered
lresentfully and ungrammatically
You knew it was coming, didn't
lyou?"
II don't know whether I did or
not" She seemed to have taken the
matter lightly. But: Jim. why do
Because 1 do" he had answered
sullenly. Don't you care at alp
The moonbeam had disclosed hint
of laughter in ner hazel eyes.
I'm known as the 1-dont-care
girl,'' she had replied; land. to tell
the truth, Jim, 1 don't know now
whether I care or not"
rs it because of some one else?"
/ he had persisted.
The laughter had died from her
eyes, and she had faced him seriously.
| Perhaps it is,'' she had answered.
1.-TWO years ago, when Dick Willever
went to New York to get rich and
famous he asked me if l would wait
for him, and I told him that 1 would.
1t wasn't exactly promise, but it vas
half a promise-and tomorrow night
Dick is coming to the dance at the
Country club"
And you think, maybe, that you
care for him.
maybe 1 do; but tomorrow I'll
know and then I'll give you your
answer.
| Jim had gone home directly after
that. A street organ on the corner
had PLAYED Last Night Was the End
of the World" and Jim hum-ned the
tune with a grim realization OF the
aptitude Of the words to his own case
He had somehow managed to live
thru day of mingled doubt and
misery, but in the evening when he
/ had called at MargaretS home IN ms
runabout the girl had met him with
a smile in her eyes. She mao acteo
as if there was not care OF d troupio
in the world.
linn had danced the first waltz with
her. and after that Dick Willever had
made his appearance and had led her
off through the shadows of Lovers
Lane 1t seemed to Jim as II they
would never return. Dick had chang
| ed considerably since he had left Glen
wood two years before. The frank
ness of his eyes had disappeared, and
in their stead had come a look of
craftiness which was anything but re-
assuring His clothes were just. tri-
file too gaudy and his voice Just
shade too loud. Jim hoped, with all
the sincerity Of his loyal hear., that
Suddenly he espied them walking
slowly up the lane. He noticed, with
sigh of relief, that they were walking
farther apart than the occasion de-
manded, and as they drew nearer the
club he noticed, too, that Margaret's
head was held little higher than US
ual and that her eyes were turned
away from her companion.
Jim arose as they approached the
, porch and offered his arm to Mar
garet With brief nod at Dick, she
accepted the proffered. arm and ac-
companied her escort into the club.
The orchestra struck up "Auf WED
ersehen," and together they glided
around the polished floor. When the
dance was concluded, Jim led the way
to the swinging seat on the porch.
''Wen?" he said questioningly.
We'll, WHAT"
your answer after you had seen Dick
again. You've seen him, haven't
you?''
Just the shadow of a smile played
about her mouth.
Eyes, he's rather good-looking, isn't
he?'' she parried.
Jim's spirits sank suddenly.
/ Hes very good looking" he an
swered honestly. "A blame sight
more so than 1 am
Well" Margaret remarked non
committingly There are looks, and
then there are looks"
Jim glanced at her quizzically, but
her face was impressive.
Il don't think it's quite fair to be
putting me off like this" he said.
Surely my question deserves an an
swer."
For a moment the girl was silent;
then she turned impulsively toward
her companion.
do you know what Dick and 1
were talking about during our roman
tic walk ?" she asked.
"Of course not"
I'VE were discussing another girl
What other grip
ss,rba oOa he +O marry