The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-08

can't marry you that way" in
siste Lois. At know you think I'm
queer, Sam. but I just feel I've got
to be self supporting first. I haven't
a cent in the World and if you should
get tired of me some day, you might
thing I'd married you for your money
for an easy time. OF course, you
wouldn't think that now, but no one
-,nows how things are going to turn
out, and 1 just couldn't bear it. If
might be different, but I'm not sure
of anything and I'm miserable!
You're all wrong, Lois; nothing
like that could happen to u.s. I love
you much. You can. care about me
that t. 1 guess
II don't know, Sam-honestly 1
don't know if 1 do or not. 1 don't
even trus. myself to judge fairly yet.
l though. 1 cared for someone once
and i was wrong. That taught me
lesson il deliberateness. 1 wouldn't
be fair T. you to say yes now and
find out my mistake later. and I'd
rather be fair to you than to anyone
else in the world. Please help me,
Sam"
the man raised her hand to his
lips. I'll do anything in the world
can" h, promised, only please don't
make it too hard"
Then, don t come to see me for
three months. That will give me
time to get ahead in my work and I.
see Low 1 miss you. You've been
such a wonderful friend that l can't
bea.- 10 lose you. but I've got to for
a time, at least. Afterwards, / don't
know what may happen. If you still
want me at the end of three months,
come to me. but if you don't. I'll un-
derstand perfectly. You mustn't
write, either"
Pretty stiff conditions. but I'll do
my best IL it's the only way to satisfy
you. 1 wonder if you'll ever weaken
anyway? The chances begin to look
pretty slim to me"
Lois turned away to hide the fears
that filled her eyes. Then she gath
cred herself together and held out her
hand.
Goodbye, SAM wish itHdidn't
have to be this way"
He held her hands for a moment,
then dropped them and walked to-
wards the door Half way there. he
wheeled and came Dack tC where she
stood. Without a word he caught her
in his arms and for a second held her
close. Before she had time to realize
what had happened he had gone. For
a long time Lois stood exactly where
he had left her and there was per-
ceptible droop to her shoulders.
Altho she had arranged every
thing to her own satisfa ction. Lois did
not feel at all cheerful in the days
that followed. But three months can
fgo very quickly when one is busy. A
week after her talk with Sam, she was
made private secretary to the firm of
Reed & Stillwell. The work was hard
and the days were SO full that there
was little time for reflection. The
manager of the firm told her that
she had a big chance ahead if she
stuck to her job.
1.-The question is" said Lois to her
self, which is my job and which am
! going to stick to?"
=, She had missed Sam dreadfully. If
have been much worse. But success is
very sweet, especially when it is new,
and it is hard to give up.
IF I could only have both" she
sighed. But of course 1 can't"
Lois had almost made up her mind
to keep on working when the allotted
time was up. She drea ded seeing Sam.
but she did not think she loved him
enough to marry him. and decided to
tell him so. But Sam did not come.
Nor did he come on the next day. nor
the next week, nor the week after
out a word. 49,.
Its what I told him to do. if he
didn't want me-" sobbed Lois to her
pillow one night. Il needn't have wor-
ried-he's simply forgotten all about
me-"
was supposedly entirely wrapped up
in her work, she was decidedly dis
tressed. The days began to seem end
lessly long and the postman's whistle
uncomfortable. Even her work had lost
its charm.
On her way to lunch one day, Lois
met Carlton Leeds. a friend of Sans.
Hello. Miss Barlow" he greeted
her, how are you? Haven't seen
you in a dogs age: Beastly shame
about Sam, isn't it?''
Lois turned white and clutched her
umbrella handle for support.
What do you mean?" she asked
him.
His failure. of course-cleaned out
entirely on account of the war Has
1 heard he had chucked business for
the present and was going to enlist.
Glad to have met you. So long"
Lois hurried back to the office, but
she could do little work that after
noon. She sent a telegram at once to
Sam asking him to come to see her
that evening if he could. There was
no doubt now in her mind and there
was only one thing in the world she
wanted to do-find out if he still
loved her. If he didn't, she would not
care what happened to her. She want
ed him so.
: Sam came about and Lois lost no
time in coming to the point, altho his
attitude towards her was not encour-
aging.
: HAS your business really failed ?"
she began bravely.
1T has"
Then. what are you going to dc
now"
I've offered my services and my
technical training to the government,
to use as they see fit. I go to Wash
ington tomorrow"
You've simply stopped caring for
me. them"
II can't talk about that now. Lois"
t.WhY not please ~