The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-03
EVENING STORY
The Home Guard

was organized Doris Brown was IN
clined to be critical.
1T will never do me any good or
you, either" she told Pete Alberts,
one of the high privates in the rear
ranks. II don't see why in the world
you wanted to join
IT didn't want to-, exactly, Pete
FASTENED to assure her. But 1 felt
that the city needed protection.
"Humph' A lot of pretecti saxs you 10
my especial duty is. to guard the
approach over the East Milton ave
nue. bridge" Pete explained with
comes I am to seize my revolver,
club, badge, flashlight and whistle
and beat it to the bridge Then 1 am
to refuse to let any one enter the city
until 1 receive orders from ponce
headquarters
why did they give you the Milton
avenue bridge?" she asked.
because it's only five minutes
from my house. And they probably
knew that 1 had an especial gruqge
against some one living on the other
side
you suppose right. Are you go
ing to let me come to see you toinor-
row night?"
u CAHO -
"Jim, 1 suppose"
"You suppose right" Doris smiled
mockingly. He asked me two Gays
ago. ao.s
IT'S habit of his to ask you year
or 90 in advance and then no one
else has a chance"
seWen, he's coming; so 1 suppose
that's all there is to it,"
For a moment or TWO Feee was
"Gee." he said finally. 81 wish he
weren't coming If he shouldn't come,
do you think you could stand me Tor
two nights in succession"
''I guess 1 could. But it won't do
anv good to think about 1t.
:sBut if something should happen
and he didn't get here by O'CLOCK,
will you let me come instead"
Doris nodded.
Hes always here by g." she an
swered. so if he isn't around by =.
and you'll telephone me, I'll let you
come
When Pete went home that evening
he smiled happily. Something seemed
to tell him that he was going to see
Doris within twenty-four hours TO
be perfectly frank, Pete had received
inside information that the Home
Guard was to be called out the next
night, and a plan had entered his
mind which argued ill for Jim stone.
The inside information proved to be
correct, for at exactly 1880 of the
evening in question Pete received a
telephone call to report at once at
his station. He seized his gun and
other paraphernalia and joyfully de-
parted upon his mission
It was a dark night and the bridge
was hidden in the shadows For twen-
ty minutes Pete sat upon the iron
railing waiting for some one to ap-
preach. Finally his patience was re-
warded. Footsteps sounded near, and
a black figure doomed before him.
Pete leaped to the middle OF the road
''Halt!'' he cried
The approaching figure halted.
whats up?" he asked wonderingly.
I'm a member of the home guard
one pass until I receive further orders.
| You'll have to go back"
The light of understanding came
suddenly to the challenged party.
"Oh, hello Pete" he said. I'm Jim
Stone"
Wilson You ean't<pass." Pete grin
ned into the darkness.
But I've got an engagem ent in
town, and have to get in"
THAT doesn't make any difference.
I've been instructed not to let any one
| in"
But you know me. I'm not Ger
man spy or anything.
81 didn't say you were. But I'm a
police officer now, and orders are or
ders.''
How long are you going to be
here?"
Three or four hours probably"
But I can't wait that long"
Pete smiled even more broadly.
whats your errand?" he de-
manded.
That's none of your business"
I'm sorry" Pete swung his club
carelessIy You can't go on"
you're crazy. Pete" he exclaimed,
| irritably. You're not supposed to
hold up people. you know"
! That's for me to say" Pete took
step forward You'll have to go
back home" he announced.
| "But I've got an engagement, tell
you"
'ewhere?"
THAT doesn't concern you at all"
Pete pondered for a moment.
TT looks rather suspicious to me-
he announced finally; you want to
go into town, but you won't tell me
why"
you're crazy. What will you do if
I go ahead anyhow"
| I'll crack you over the neck with
this" Pete indicated his club. You
can't go on. that's all there is to it,"
| For two minutes more there was
an awkward silence. Pete leaned
| against the railing and whistled I'VE
won't Get Home Until Morning"
| Finally Jim broke the silence.
"'If I tell you where I want to go
will you let me pass?" he asked.
Pete shook his head.
| 81 can't" he answered.
The silence was renewed Pete at
g ,nI@ 10, nd al h1%
no one else would come. Jim thought
: LII Eiaall1r no SrnIa gain