The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-14
EVENING STORY
When Khaki Calls,
(By M, L. Stanton.)


1t was evening and the big office
buildings were discharging their quota |
of humanity, who, though still in
workaday garb, stepped forth briskly
into the crisp autumn air, conscious
that the chains of toll were loosened
for a few brief hours and that they
were free to play, relax and to take
their little parts in the comedies and
tragedies of social life.
Ann Donovan was one of a group OF
animated, chattering girls that emergy
ed from one of these immense bee
hives of industry. They fingered for
moment on the sidewalk, laughing
and ta1king.' then scattered on their
various homeward ways.
Ann started off, but had only gone
few feet when a quick step sounded
behind her and a pleasant masculine
voice said: ~
"Hullo, Ann. What's your hurry"
1t was annoying. Why would
Tommy insist waiting for her every
evening? OF course, he was pleasant
company, and all that, but-wel, a
girl likes to dream some times, and
that walk home in the evening. along
the quite shaded streets. was the only
bit of time out of the whole busy day
she might have for herself.
Good evening, Mister Regain" Ann
manage to respond, taking a certain
satisfaction in using her most formal
prunes and prisms tone. usually re-
served for impertinent statesmen or
persistent book agents who invaded
the office.
why SO distant, Achushla? Doesn't
| Tommy sound good to you any more
That Mister stuff doesn't listen natural
comm from you to me- And the
cheerful Tommy softly hummed:
Pack up your troubles in your old
kit bag,
And smile, smile, srnile,''
"Them's my sentiments every time.
I ~@vI I-rax
been real fellow. One who knows
that a smile makes the digging easier,
whether you're digging with a shovel,
or a pen, or "a sword
Tommy's voice faltered a little on,
| the last word and he gazed a trifle
anXiously and uncertainty at his silent
| companion
'Er Ann, there's something I've
been wanting to tell you, and I don't
see why 1 mightnt as we'll tell you
now"
Ann was panic stricken. Why could
not Tommy be satisfied with things as
| they were and not begin treading on
dangerous ground. Besides-and this
| ment had been lurking in the back
ground of AIMS mind for some time
with reference to this same Tommy
| Regain. How could he sit tamely be-
hind a desk and watch other fellows.
| dozens of them, marching away to
carry the starry banner over seas?
Tommy was a strapping. stalwart
youth, clean-cut and pleasing to the
eye. Aggressive and intelligent, he had
in him the making of a splendid Amer
| lean soldier.
But he had not Unlisted when the
nationwide call for volunteers went
forth, nor had the long arm of con-
scription as yet reached out for him.
cuSsed the subject. 1t was constantly
in AIMS thoughts, but a certain hesit-
ancy had prevented her from intro
ducing the topic, and tho she had
skated dangerously close at times, for
all of Tommy's unfailing cheerfuIrsss
and apparent willingness to chat on
anything and everything under the
sun, somehow he had never given her
clue as to his real reason for putting
himself in the Stacker class.
Ann herself was an ardent patriot
Fifteen dollars week is not a NUM-
ficient sum, but when girl lives at
home the stretching qualities of even
mea gre fifteen dollars are remarkable.
So by dint of wearing her last seasons
suit, by studiouSly keeping her head
turned the other way when passing an
ice cream parlor, by sundry small
economies and Self-denialS constantly
| practiced the world over by thousands
of working girls, she was able to buy
Liberty Bond, to join the Red Cross,
and to contribute her mite to various
special funds for the benefit of Our
Boys. She was even now learning to
! knit in the From Pothooks to Knit
ting Needles class recently launched
at the office.
| So when Tommy announced in that
serious tone that he had something
to tell her. she mentally besought her
! patron saint to ward off the imminent
proposal without hurting the lad S
| feeling or destroying their friendship.
! For after all, thought Ann, they had
grown up together as neighbors, and
there had always been a friendly feel
/ ing between the two families, tho of
| lie years the social intercourse had
| been confined chiefly to the young
people save for an occasion 'cross-the-
| fence chat between Mrs. Regain and
| Ann's mother.
now and her prayer seemed hopeless
when, just as Tommy started to re-
sumo his confidence, the heaven
sought interruption occurred. The in
terruption was just a pair of lovers
strollinG along arm in arm-a scene
old as the ages, yet ever Interestingly
] new to observed well as to observ-
ers. The youth was clad in khaki and
| he carried himself with jaunty, con-
scious air of pride that found eager
reflection in the admiring maid at
| his side.
Ann and Tommy turned to look
after them Who can resist a back
ward glance at a pair of lovers?
| Oh. SfSneu Ann, 'dOeSn't he look
splendid %
And then yalor tweaked discretion's
ears and rushed into the fray.
How can you stay at home and let
folks call you a Stacker. when all
| these brave fellows are giving I'D their
| homes, their work-yes even their
lives, to make our homes, our work
and our lives safe? You've told me
| before that you loved me. but I don't
| want to hear you say it again, for I'll
-Nr
| how wish 1 had been a mani"
! And to Tommys CONSERVATION Ann
started to cry. He waited until her
sobs had ceased then said:
But, look here, Ann, I want to tell
| you
"Oh, what's the use of arguing