The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-23
EVENING STORY
Wartime Speed.
BY CATHERINE PARSONs


you would have really envied him, for
she was truly lovely.
On this particular day Amy left the
studio somewhat later than usual for
the picture was just at an interesting
stage and Gardner could not bear to
sto- work till the last bit of daylight
had vanished. Mrs. Roland, who al
ways came with her daughter, had
| left early to keep an appointment. and
| Amy had promised to meet her at
| five.
Gardner had KEPT her till the last
possible moment and she was hurry
| ing towards t-e front door, when she
| ran directly into young man who
was coming in the opposite direction.
II beg pardon" exclaimed Amy, as
she bounced back in surprise. why,
Billy Lane she added, as she recog-
nized him. here in the world did
you come from? I haven't laid ayes
on you for over two years"
Just got here, Amy. I've been out
in Nebraska, working hard. But even
| an obscure farmer has a right to
vacation now and then, SO I'm taking
two weeks this time. Maybe it .sn't
good to see you again-you haven't
{ much except to grow up
more. I suppose you'd forgotten !; II
| about me, tho"
| Amy blushed slightly, but it was 100
dark to see.
II hadn't really. but of course two
years is a long time. In another me
I might forget whether your hair was
| red or brown. It's hard to remember
much when you're kept pretty busy"
| Billy laughed ruefully.
| 81 suppose I'll see you at the Du-
vals' tomorrow night, continued Amy.
| TITS going to be a great party With
| everyone you ever knew there. They'll
be tickled to death to see you back.
too
I'm not much of a social light, you
know. Amy. and I guess I wouldn't be
much of an addition to the occa sion.
Besides, I'm really here for business
and I won't have very much time to
go to parties"
"well I'm glad Gardner is not
such an old clam-Tm going with him.
I'll have to run now--I'm late as 1t is
It's good to see you back again, Billy,
| even If you are unsociable."
Amy held out her hand with a frank
and engaging smile. In another mo-
| ment she was gone.
spying his brother from the floor
above. When did you get here? Well
maybe it isn't good to see you again,
too! Is this pleasure trip?"
Not exactly. The truth of the mat
ter is. I'm enlisting in about two
weeks and I wanted to see the old
town before I went over."
Great Scott. you don't say so! I
would myself but I'm beyond the draft
age and 1 hate to leave my work
I'm really needed here. Could they
spare you all right?"
We'll, you see, I'm my own boss, so
I just sold out and came along.
couldn't stay out of II any longer and
I'm single. too, but I may not be
long-that's one reason why I don't
want to enlist"
who is it-Louise?"
~ To, -,
mott I've had a dozen since Louise.
It's Amy this time. 1 haven't told her
yet, but I'm going to marry her. Wait
till you see the portrait of her I'm
yet She's pretty and she's got sense
and she'll really fill the position bet
ter than any girl / know"
81 should think she might" agreed
Billy rather shortly. IN have to go
down town now and see Thorley about
some of this army stuff-I'm to meet
him at six. Don't say anything about
my plans to anyone yet, Gardner. I'd
rather you'd tell them when I've
gone.''
You always were queer. Bill, but
of course I'll do what you want. I'm
dining out myself SO I'll have to skip
along and change. Amy hates to be
kept waiting, too. See you later, old
man. So long"
Amy did not enjoy the Duvals' an
ticipated ball as much as she expected
to. Gardner bored her more than he
had ever done before. He seemed SO
sure of himself and everyone else that
she felt herself becoming unreason-
ably peevish with him.
Two days later she went for another
sitting for her portrait and again she
found Billy in the hall on her way
home.
, Hello. Mr.. Hermit" she scoffed
. You're not wasting time on your Id
friends this trip. are you?"
Most of them seem to be pretty
busy themselves"
well, I'm not for one, and to prove
1t, I'll invite you to go for walk with
line now. I'll send S-san home in the
car alone nd she can tell mother LAT
her dear little Amy is in good hands.
Hurry up before Gardner sees us or
he may want to go, too
COR I'll be turned out into the cold,
cold void 4Jr ..id..apping his best and
most BEAUTY model. Come on"
Laughing toc her. they ran out
, into the autumn afternoon. Iusk
; was gathering and most people Lad
gone indoors, for the streets were de-
serted.
isn't it lovely out today?" crieI
Amy enth si;- lily.
Yes. but you'd never call this beau
J tiful if you could see 1t out where l
live. Noun aims and hills and valleys
everywhere you look. And the sun
/ sets-you'd love til e sunsets, Amy.
They just make the whole world a
blaze of glory and put peace into your
! soul. I can't explain how it is out
there-its too big for that. But I
can tell you it impresses you. Maybe
I'm daffy on the subject, but it's SIM
ply life out there to me. 1 feel like
our poet friend who said: I want to
| gt back and 1 Will You'd love it out
there. Amy"
"Oh. would love it," she agreed.
and almost surprised herself by her
own fervor.
''Will you visit me some day then
you and your husband?'
Wen be delighted-provided l
have one by that time"
III I'm the meantime. will you consider
an invitation to dine with me this
EVENING""
I'm so sorry. Billy, but Pm going
to dinner at the Sect~..- with Gard