The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-14
EVENING STORY
A Matter of Money.
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM.

| Gloria was as delectable a bit of
| femininity as one could find at the
| fashionable resort of Norhabor. Bare
ly five feet five in her French-heeled
| boots, she had a most alluring man
| ner OF looking into your eyes as il
your every gesture were precious to
her. Despite the alteration paid her,
she remained 1ovable. But beyond
| these apparent facts, little was known
| of Gloria Stanley, who came every
year to this resort and to all appear
ances olertifully supplied with money.
| Always dressed in good taste, with no
| little variey in her costumes, it is not
to be wondered that she excited the
| admiration of the women as well as
| the men.
And now the summer colony was
agog with excitement-for. Gloria had
met her hero" And this is the way
it happened:
Arising one morning earlier than
the other guests, she slipped into her
| bathing suit and ran lightly across
the stretch of sand, fairly quivering
with suppressed excitement and pleas
ure of her anticipated plunge. Paus-
ing moment on tiptoe at the edge
of the pier to drop her bathrobe and
judge uer dive, she stretched her
arms obliquely downward and sailed
thru the air, cleaving the water like
az arrow. In a moment her straight
body could be seen Swimming close to
as if 1t had struck a barrier. And
there arose above the water two
heads, more shocked than hurt by the
contact. @ r.
I'm SO sorry" Gloria sputtered. as
she tread water Il didn't see you
before L dove off,
Mighty careless of me to be in the
| way laughed tie young man, with a
most engaging smile, as he swan
close by very professional man
ner.. Il hope you're not hurt"
Not a Bit" she responded. smiling
| back at him, and as moments after
| thought. lets race to shore''
Taking his compliance as granted,
she commenced to augment the dis
| lance between them with broad en-
bracing strokes He let her keep in
the lead until but a few feet from
shore, then swiftly caught up to her.
50 that they emerged in unison.
i You swim we'll" he said, breathing
hard. Il didn't think I'd have to
work SO hard to catch up
i And. ~altho Gloria couldn't ac-
count for it, she felt flattered by this
strangers praise. Out of the corner
of her eye she saw stalwart man
just a little different from any other
she had ever met before.
J. Lets rest she suggested, stretch
ing at full length on the sand, which
had just begun to reflect the warmth
of the sun now well up in the heavens.
It,
clasped about his knees. 1t wcs as If
:. they were children and she had said,
= Lets play He entered into the
spirit.
my names John Turner" he ven
tured by way of conversation, but
most folks call me Jack. What's
yours?''
MY name is Gloria Stanley, but
most folks call me Glory" she
mimicked, her blue eyes twinklipg
| w Of vi AT he hof al
When did you Gomez"
The young man hesitated.
"Oh, I'm not at the hotel he an
swered hurriedly. I'm camping on
and my pocketbook don't hitch.'
AS If to avoid the personal trend his
remark had given to their converse
ton, he continued: But you must
be hungry. Hadn't you better go for
breakfast"
Gloria arose and shook the wet sand
; from her suit. Won't you come. too %
she asked abruptly, as if against her
Better judgment.
mo, no. he hastily responded my
breakfast is waiting for me across the
, lake"
With serious formality they shook
, hands, and Gloria turned towards the
, hotel veranda. where already could be
: | seen the ever watchful ladies missing
| nothing of the scene enacted before
) them.
The next morning, as if by telepathic
, understanding, Gloria was at the wa
| ters edge at the same hour and in the
, same costume as the day before. Nor
was she disappointed to find the
young man already on hand. In the
. bottom of a canoe lay a neat bundle
| of wearing apparel.
Thought I'd row across this morn
: ing so I could bring my clothes, and
, after we have our dip, I'd like to ac-
) cept yesterdays invitation" and as the
: questioning look left her face, he
: added: I'm camping by myself
| and it's lonesome"
|. Bully she cried, striking her
+ palms together man-fashion, land
/ then it'll be tennis after breakfast
/ Huh ?"
Quite naturally he took her hand as
. they waded into the water until the
! depth permitted swimming. Thai
i morning they raced beneath the wa
1 ter, sprang above the waves like fly
= ing fish diving in every conceivable