The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-20
EVENING STORY
When a Maid Laughs.

HdlAC0 aS lAlO AC WCI0 tlCddAuS On
air. His heart was in tune with all the
world, and the autumn sun. just set
ting, seemed asgreat pot of gold, at
the end of his days rainbow, beckon-
ing him on toward everlasting happi-
hess. Lillith had given him to under
stand that afternoon that she really
cared-Ldldth who had coqaetted with
him ever since she began going away
to school. There could be no mistake
about her attitude this time, her open
encouragement permitting but one in
depreciation.
MAY I come-tonight? ?" he had
whispered as he was leaving her.
TRY and see," she answered coyly,
waiting him a butterfly kiss from the
tips of her fingers. And, he was going
to her now. He had determined to
settle the future that very evening,
come what may, and he was thinking
with honest pride, as he walked along,
ings bank which he could-offer Lillith.
When he was almost in front of the
house he heard a sound of laughter
and merry making from within like a
discordant note in the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take it," he muttered.
why couldn't she have been alone to-
night. of all times?''
Here he isl" shouted Lillith gayly,
answering his ring; Tets make him
He was dragged playfulIy into the
living room, Invested of outer gar
ments and adorned with a huge ging-
ham apron. which Lillith tied under
his arms.
domestic roles are very becom-
ing" she whispered with a blushing
smile which set his heart to beating
a brisk tattoo. Here's the spoon, and
don't you dare stop beating until I
give you permission
She closed his fingers over the
spoon with an affectionate pat, turned
the blaze a trifle higher under the
chatting dish, and then left him to
play a duet with Hugh Birch. Still
John had no thought save that of be-
ing in Lillith's home for just one pur-
pose, which he meant to accomplish in
spite of visitors.
"Why all the hilarity here this
evening"" he inquired casually of Nell
Blakesly, who had taken a place be-
side him at the table.
Nothing special that I know of.
Lillith just telephoned late this after
noon that she thought a chatting dish
party would be fun, SO we all came
over"
LiI1ith Anderson had resorted to her
old trick of playing with fire once too
often. John was confident she must
and. with the courage born of des-
peration, he decided there was no
time like the present.
"Lillith, come here" he called.
The new note of determination in
his sudden command startled the girl
into obeying at once, thing she was
not in the habit of doing.
At your service, captain" she
Knocked, saluting, soldier fashion. as
she slipped into the chair vacated by
Nell. Fudge ready"
Il don't know thing about it, and
neither do care rap!" he answered
doggedly. II came here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
this 4. s..-r
sang, interrupting him, while she took
the spoon from his hand, turned out
the blaze and began beating the
steaming mass as tho her very life
depended upon it. Now, fellow citi-
zens," she called out, well soon have
something delectable to please your
sweet teeth. if John will carry it out
to cool"
= She poured the fudge upon a platter
and held 1t out to him in such a half
frightened pleading way that, as
usual. he fell before the spell of her
wonderful eyes and found himself
carrying the candy obediently to the
back porch. But a dash of the brac-
ing night air re-established his de-
termination and he tore off the apron
as he strobe angrily into the hall.
timidly, with faint note of concern
in her voice.
~ shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more second! You
knew--you must have Known was
coming here tonight to ask you to be
just as long as you're going to! What's
your answer"
He led her into the vestibule and
shut the door, just as the rest of the
party adjourned to the back porch
to examine the candy, so they were
alone.
will you marry me?" he went on.
taking her face between his hands
and raising her eyes to the level of
his own. Answer me-win you?"
A peal of hysterical, hooking laugh
ter was her only reply, and John Law
renee left her, going out without an
other word. AS he walked along the
railroad track, taking a short cut
home, his heart was heavy. Lillith
had deliberately laughed in his face
after boldly encouraging him to speak.
There was only one other thought in
his mind. and that was to get away
from her as far and as fast as he
could.
He was dimly conscious that the
whistle of the night express had
sounded around the curve the other
side of the bridge, but he was too
deeply occupied with his own thoughts
to notice the misplaced rail in the
track toward which the heavy train
was whirling with increasing speed
from the down grade behind. He had
just time enough to jump aside when
the engine crashed thru one end of
the little bridge and derailed the two
or three cars behind it.
Almost instantly the night air was
filled with cries of hysterical women
frightened children and the means of
the injured, and John Lawrence, for
getting himself and his troubles COM
pletely, rushed forward to offer as
sistance- In an incredibly short time
most of the town had flocked to the
scene Of the wreck. John worked
hard, pulling away pieces of wreck
age, putting out fires which started in
many places and carrying the injured
to places of safety.
With a little child in his arms he