The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-11

EVENING STORY
A "Susie" and a "Sammie.' 81
BY FRANCIS LINSKY.

1t was Saturday, and for Sue that
meant trip in town to the matinee,
and perhaps a stroll thru the shops
if there was time.
the street from the station, conscious
that she was looking very well, and
quite aware of the fact that several
pairs of masculine eyes had cast ap-
proving glances in her direction.
Suddenly realizing that the streets
were getting very crowded, Sue came
to the conclusion that she had stop
ped too long admiring the pretty
things in the windows.
''It must be getting late,' she said
to herself, and looked at the watch on
her wrist Mercy, ten minutes of 2!
late now, all right" and she tried to
hurry, but the crowds were too much
for her. and in spite of her best ef-
forts, she, found that she made slow
progress.
Surely there must be something
the matter" thought Sue. II never
remember seeing such an awful
crowd, e IN on a Saturday"
Reaching the corner at last Sue
found her way barred by the big, good
Misunderstanding policeman, who usual
ly stood guard at the crossing.
Cant cross here, miss he said TO
her in his deep voice. the streets
blocked to passengers till the parade's
gone by
"Parade!" said Sue. 'T hadn't heard
that there was going to be one! What
parade is it?" she asked the big blue
coated giant who still stood there
smiling a. her
why, it's the boys just come in
from Camp Blank" he told her.
They're marching thru here on their
way to the s ef; Try; SO the streets 5:
"Oh. DEAR" thought Sue. what
shall 1 do?" But there was nothing
that could be done, except to stand
there and watch the parade. and thai
she did, altho she kept a very anxious
eye all the while on the big clock on
the corner, and she sighed impatient
ly every time the minute hand moved
one space more.
81 know 1t is not a bit patriotic to
feel like this-I really ought to feel
| ashamed" Sue told herself. but I
wouldn't care If it was any other day
except Saturday when I'm in such a
hurry to get to the theater.' But all
things must come to an end even, so
after fifteel- minutes of anxious wait
! ing, Sue darted across the street and
| sped on her way~to the theater.
How 1 do hate to be late" she
stormed to herself on the way. I'll
| just get in when everythings pitch
dark, and have to crawl over half a
dozen people to get to my seat and get
| all disarranged-to say nothing of
| stepping all over the others and her
| worst fears were realized, for the
| theater was all in darkness, and by the
! time Sue sank into her seat, breathless
| ct thankful to be settled at last, her
| temper as well as her clothing was
i slightly upset.
| "Oh, dear" exclaimed Sue in exas-
| peration. when she had finally dispos-
ed of all her belongings, I've forgot
ten to get a program after ALL prob
ably won't be able to follow the play
at all without one"-but Just then the
star made her appearance, and Sue
| forgot all her impotence for the time
being, as she leaned forward and ap-
| plauded enthusiastically as her favor
| lite came on to the stage, and she lis
| tened in breathless attention as the
s ldier hero babe his sweetheart good
bye and went off to fulfil a danger
| Gus mission.
'T never dreamed that this was a
| war play" meditated Sue to herself
! as the curtain slowly fell on the first
| act. You certainly can't tell much
from the names of plays these days.
I seem to find soldiers on all sides TO-
| day" and as the lights went up and
| she turned to took about her. she fair
| ly gasped. She had spoken the truth
far more literally than she had dream
ed, for sittih.' right there beside her
was quite the incest looking soldier
that she had ever seen-a clean-cut
looking young man with very pleas
ant smile.
WELL" bought Sue. lit is certainly
soldiers to right of me-sol Tiers in
front of ME. [ hope they don't vol1ey
and thunder" she reflected. as her
thoughts vent back to the poem she
, had learned in the olden days at
school. 'However.'sh told herself II
must get a program, or 1 shan't know
what they're doing" and again she
| looked around vainly trying to attract
the attention of the usher.
us there something that can do
for you?" came the pleasant voice al
her right, and Sue turned with a flush