The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-07
EVENING STORY
The Name of Roberts.
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM.

forehead. Just listen to this letter
from Ralph. mother. and tell me If it
isn't the most exasperatins thing you
ever heard" And with an abused
manner. she read aloud:
Dear Sis-I know you will be as
disappointed as I am to learn that
Lieutenant Roberts will not approve
my furlo. He is commanding officer
while the captain is in the hospital.
and says that If I We're to go home
now it would leave the company with
out 2 mechanic, as there is no one
else N the company qualified to do
such work. So we will have to pocket
our disappointment and wait for a
more more favorable opportunity; Love
Ralph is right" Mrs. Sommers an
swered soothingly as she industriously
continued to knit the wool which was
gradually and surprisingly assuming
the form of a sweater. land if he is
to have him with u.s.
But, mother, can't you understand
that ] wanted~him home for the mill
tary ball? 1t won't seem like a real
dance unless Ralph is with us. oh.
just hate Lieutenant Roberts. It's an
ugly old name. anyway"
Hush, Child. you don't realize What
you are saying. But how will " be II
! speak to father and see If he won't
let you visit Ralph in camp? You
could make the trip alone"
The happy suggestion brought a
quick smile to the charming face
which seldom failed to reflec. cheer
fulness. You're a dear. dear mother,
and II you can convince daddy to let
me go, I'll give you exactly thirty nine
kisses" And as if making an advance
deposit on the proposed payment, Mrs.
Sommers received a generous portion
OF the amount due.
And because daddy" was never
sonable request which would contrib
ute to her happiness, it was but a short
week before the Overland Limited
swiftly bore the excited girl to the
great cantonment, very proud of the
responsibility travelling unchaper-
quite filled to overlooking as Mechanic
Sommers. with chest inflated, placed
on exhibition MY Sister" before the
'fellers" standing with gaping mouths
att the unusual vision of loneliness
among their monotonous uniforms of
khaki
And Madeleine loved to make the
daily trip from town to camp, despite
the tiresome, hard ride upon the rick
ETY., rambling, one-line car-the only
means of access to the camp. At the
" there was always a crowd of
eager. manly boys waiting about the
piano for the magic music she could
make with fingers and voice, and 9TH
er maGic with her eyes. This night
was the buglers warning call Of "tat-
too" which sent her scurrying for the
street cars last trip back to town,
ably escorted to the car line by an
even dozen khaki-clad figures on each
side.
Madeleine turned to wave a pleasant
goodnight from the platform, and as
the conductor tangled the cord the car
moved lumberingly Off Fare, please"
came In the mechanical tone Of habit
Her purse! 1t was gone! No. she re-
ano at the Y. M. c. A. How would
she pay her fare? Would the conductor
| put her off? 1t was far to town and
the night was dark.
Pardon me, madam, but may I as
sist you in your difficulty" And as
| Madeleine looked up she found the
owner of the dulcet tones handing the
conductor the necessary coin and sa-
luting her with military precision.
| "a first lieutenant and decidedly
goed=looking." she thought as her eyes
took in collar insignia and the features
above. Aloud. THANK you. sir! am
very grateful
| The officer bowed and moved I'D to-
/ ward the front of the car. When he
seated himself he found the young
lady beside him.
| A blush of faint pink suffused her
cheeks. IT would like to repay you,
Don't" he interrupted. holding up
his hsnd; Lam glad to have been of
assistance. Would you care to sit next
| to the Window"
| Madeleine accepted the courtesy, and
because she did not know whether or
not to speak. and If she should,
i WI "a n ~HA
gers up and down the iron bars of the
| opened window. hummine the lifting
| tune OF a popular air. She felt she
really ought to make some arrange
ments to return the fare advanced
Il should like to repay you. if"
|. DO you really want to repay me ?''
he again Interrupted. very excitedly.
as if against his better Judgment. And
withoutfeivi her an opportunity to
| answer: I've an invitation to dance
| tonight and don't know female soul
to ask. Will you come with me?"
Madeleine looked around the car.
There were no other passengers. and
she laughed out loud. Sure" she
gamely answered.
The ride had never seemed so short
and both commented on the fact 1t
was Just q moment before that the in
cident had happened, and here they
were already entering the spacious
foyer. from which. in the adjoinins
hall, they could see the dancing feet
keeping excellent rhythm with the
saxophonist. who was not always Ger.
tain If he were PLAYING in two-four or
three-four time. Madeleine pirouetted
around on tiptoe, her eyes shining
with excitement :
The officer watched the pretty girl
I admirfngly. The opening notes of the
next number startled him from his
gaze and with a guilty look of having
been caught he led her into the hall
And as they glided smoothly over the
polished flood Madeleine uttered a ST.
lent prayer of gratitude that the lieu
4 tenant could dance SO well. while il
must be admitted the lieutenant was
trying the twin task of determining il
the girl could dance better than she
was pretty.
The closing strain of Good Night
Ladies'" regretfully ordered them to
the checking room. and when he had
escorted her to her hotel he asked