The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-19
EVENING STORY
1.-THE Calf"
(By Jessie NJ. Robinson.

Bob Marston verify haunted the Ii
brary rooms of the state university.
Not that he was avid for learning.
The little authenticated lady seated at
the librarians desk was the magnet
which drew him. Notwithstanding
that Clara Brownlee was college
graduate, that she was being wooed by
Professor Nichols, A. B., and that Bob
felt that she was as far above him as
the Goddess Minerva was to the pleb-
elan Greek, Bob still aSpired to become
her chosen one. Bob was a hero on
the gridiron, but two years plodding at
the university had failed to bring out
any great mental brilliancy. He was
well aware that on the campus he had
been dubbed The Calf" because of
his incoming proclivities, but he was
too deeply in love to mind ridicule.
This morning Clara's brown eyes
met his blue ones inquiringly, and she
smiled as the tall gangling youth, with
his shock of black hair, came toward
her desk.
Miss Brownlee, I should like to find
something about the Gastropoda,'' he
book.
You asked that yesterday-don't
you remember? 1t is in Volume II,
page 596, third shelf, Encyclopedia
Britannica" was the curt response of
his ladylove.
Bob sheepishly stumbled over to-
ward the shelves. He had looked up
another Question for today and read
the wrong one, but it mattered not.
He hurriedly pretended to write in his
notebook. After what seemed to him
ages and ages, he sauntered casually
back to Clara's desk. She paid no at
tention to him so long as there were
other students asking for books, but
finally they had all gone but Bob, and
she turned to him rather impatiently.
1na rot
Saturday afternoon off, don't you?
Won't you-go out with me in the car
tomorrow afternoon he half stam-
mered.
I'm sorry, Bob, but I must go to
a librarians meeting in the after
Used to go to a lecture on Ethical Gull
ture with Professor Nichols"
Hang Methodist thought Bob.
well, make it two weeks from to-
morrow? persisted he
THAT is a far time ahead, but"
seeing his keen disappointment, Il will
try to go then"
However, fortune favored Bob, for
at 7 o'clock that evening he was called
to the phone. and the liquid voice of
Miss Brownlee trilled over the wire:
THE librarians meeting has been
postponed, so if we can get home early
and you still wish. L shall be glad to
go with you tomorrow.
AS the big car chugged away from
the curb the next day, with its pretty
passenger in white linen, Bob was
supremacy happy. Whirling along the
boulevard, Bob could hardly wait to
tell her his news!
IT am going to quit the university,
Miss Brownlee. No use trying to plug
away any longer. Mother wanted to
make a lawyer of me, but dad has
at last. decided to take me into bust
ness and so I am going into partner
ship with him this week. Now,
Clara-'
But Miss Brownlee was smiling and
nodding in the opposite direction. Bob
turned the big machine just in time
to avoid running over tall, pale
faced young man with large horn |
trimmed glasses, who frowning1y lifted
his hat to the pair in the auto
Now the professor is mad, and I'm
glad, giggled Clara. Evidently she
considered this ride but schoolboy
and schoolgirl escapade.
What's your going with me today
got to do with Professor Nicholls?'
queried Bob. visibly ruffled.
mo more than that he thinks
should not be riding with anyone but
him, 1 suppose"
"Oh. / see; you're engaged" COM
mented Bob, bitterly rude.
Clara tightenedAer lips. and the ST.
lence that fell about them was appall-
ing, especially to Bob, who liked vivac-
ing but a flirt after all, but he could
not help loving her. He formed a
wild scheme He would elope with
tie lady.
Bah, Bob Marston, you're the silly
calf they call you the campus" he
finally concluded. IF Clara is unwill-
ing. what's the use. 1 suppose the old
highbrow is more to her taste"
Were going to enjoy the Afternoon
together, anyhow" he said aloud. with
little spirit, and inwardly resolved to
travel as many miles as he dared.
"Of course we are, you foolish boy |
l am so glad that you are going into |
business, Bob said she, resuming the
former conversation - am sure you /
will be a success.
Bob shut his lips together AMI gazed |
glaring ahead.
Where are we going?" asked Clara.
''To the end of the world, 1 hope"
he replied glumly.
Bob turned the machine off the
boulevard into a forest road overhung
with immense pines and for miles
they sped thru the sweet. resinous air.
At last Bob spoke. MY Aunt Mary
lives down this road. 1t can't be far
from here. Shall we stop and see her?
She may have some strawberries ana
cream for us" 4
I'm sure / should be delighted" re-
sponded Clara, in tone which indi-
Gated that any depression would be a
relief
by the way. my aunt married
college professor. He is retired now
on account of poor eyesight."
1t seemed to Bob as they stopped at
his aunt's gate that her modest home
the pines was more of little
paradise than he had ever known it
to be before, and he hoped it might
not seem so to Clara. But undoubt-
eddy it did, as her EXPLANATIONS of
delight at frequent intervals testified.
Clara vert to see his aunt's garden
Of wild flowers. successfully trans
planted from the woods, while Bob
stayed in the cool. old-fasfioned par {
Tor with the half-biinded professor.
Wouldn't you like to live in the