The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-20
EVENING STORY
BY BARBARA KERR.

BY BARBARA KERR.
Percy Grosscup, the handsomest
man of the whole force. came jaun-
tily into the room, smiled patronizing-
ly at the stenographer and proceeded
to the desk of his chief to see Ehether
any collections had come for his de-
partment. His chief was out. but ly-
ing open and spread out on his desk
was the following remarkable. but
self-explanatory telegram:
Don't let Grosscup go pay five
thousand worth it appearance asset of
Office
AS his eyes devoured it and the
sense of it soaked in he could hardly
hold himself together. why. why
five thousand is twice what asked
for. They have at last realised what
am worth to them. All, Percy. you
handsome dog-this means" and
chuckling to himself. he ran his hand
thru his curly hair, a gentle flush
oYerspread him and, glancing slyly
at the stenographer. he hurried out.
Getting into his coat. hastily catch
ing up his hat and swagger stick, he
hailed the down elevator. Smiling at
his exultant countenance in its little
mirror. he threw back his head to get
a refractory curl out of his eyes,
chuckled to his Acknowledgements
ances asset of office"
Jaw, wot's eatin' ye, Pretty
Percy? Must be a kissin'-bug, the
way ye're lookin' at yerself!" sneered
the elevator boy.
| the howl of derisive laughter>from the
| boy. At another time he probably
would have given him good shaking,
but now he was busy formulating his
plans which must be executed quickly,
| SO he had no time to teach the boy
manners to his betters. That could be
| attended to later; there was other and
pleasanter business on hand.
The telegram was as good as actual
| money. The firm was never known to
go back on a pledge. He would go
and bind the bargain with a little
down payment on a certain bungalow
| that he had admired-and so had she
then he could speak of it as his; also
| he would have set aside for him GER
tain suite of Hving-room furniture in
| a downtown window that he had had
| his eye on; then he would go and tell
| the girl and ask her to name the day.
1t is quite wonderful how SIN oothly
business runs when the man who has
| the price sets out to buy. He was SO
| Jubilant that he was almost beside
| himself, but he managed either to sup
press the outward signs, or to grin be-
| hind his hand, SO as not to provoke
remarks as those INDUCED in by the
| elevator-hop.
Millicent Beauchamp lived with a
| widowed mother in little cottage at
the edge of town and helped out a
small income by teaching primary
music classes. She was a wholesome,
modest girl with sterling womanly
qualities. So when she saw Percy
| coming, she wisely decided that she
| would not run away to change her
| dress, but would meet him as she
would any other caller at that hour in
the morning. Very sweet and win
some she looked as she swung the
door open and asked:
"And what brings Mr.. Grosscup out
SO early? Do we owe that firm of
yours anything? And were you afraid
we'd mover"
Be it said to the credit of Percy
that, despite arrogant egotism. he ap-
preciated her worth, and for just a
\ minute the question almost formed it.
self in his mind as to whether he was
really good enough for her. He an
swered her laughing question.
| "If you do owe us anything" he re-
turned joyously. that pink Bingham
dress would just about settle it." Then
| aim ost before he realized it, he was
asking her to throw herself into the
bargain.
"Are-are you proposing to me?"
breathlessly asked Millicent And
| Percy swept her into his arms to as
sure her at closer range that he was.
| The patter of staccato steps in the
hall brought the people down to earth
Disengaging herself, Millicent in
hushed little voice half whispered:
| Its motheri"
But Percy was in one Of those ex-
| ultant, impetuous moods that carries
! all before it, and turning hastily. he
caught Millicent's rather chubby little
mother in an ecstatic embrace and.
kissing her on the cheek with all the
air of happy. teasing son, repeated:
| Its motheri" Then releasing her, a
little ruefully. he begged pardon. neat
ly apologized and blamed his impet-
uosity. and the fact that he had not
asked her consent at first, all to the
pink gingham dress.
| Mrs. Beauchamp, very much per-
turbed, and with two tears that
threatened to overflow their banks in
spite of much winking to force them
back smiled little tremuiouS consent
to everything, then FASTENED out to
| take care of the rebellious tears and
left the young people to their wonder
full occupation of planning a speedy
| marriage
| s.well, now that's settled and must
get back to work or I might lose my
job" said Percy alphabetically. after
relating his good fortune and listening
to unstinted praise Of his unusual
business ability.
Upon reaching the office he walked
into his chiefs presence and awaited
the news.
What. just got in? Late again ?"
asked his chief, as he jumbled his pa
! ers a little as tho looking for some
thing. He hated to tell Grosscup what
was coming to him.
Picking up the> telegram. he
coughed slightly and said Mr.. Gross
cup. the president thinks that we can
dispense with your services after the
| r,P ft,a nrth
Grosscup laughed aloud at the joke
II The chief looked at him amazed.
well, am very glad that you take IL
that way I was rather sorry for you,
but"
His face and manner sobered Percy.
who pointed to the telegram and said: