The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-28
EVENING STORY
Punctured.
BY ANDERSON HALE!

9-Z-Z-ZZp! 6-S-S-SSn. Win the
sickening swish of escaping air and the
harsh grinding of brakes the gray
roadster came to an abrupt stop. Jack
Raynor sprang out and glanced sharp
ly at his front tires. They were un-
mistakably flat
We'll. of all the cursed lucki" he
exclaimed in dismay. Both of 'em
and not an extra tube or casing. Moth
ing for it but to vulcanize the holes"
Then, unaware that a pair OF
startled brown eyes regarded him in
tently from behind the roadside tam
gle of bushes, he proceeded to say
other things, uncomplimentary things
about the road and the people who
freQuented it, things which it is I'M
necessary to repeat, but for which he
will doubtless be pardoned by the vet
eran motorist.
For the mercury had already
climbed to the -the-shade"
mark. Presently, having exhausted
his vocabulary, he flung off his coat,
collar and tie, rolled back his sleeves
and fell to work lacking up the front
wheels.
Meanwhile the owner of the brown
eyes, sensing the gravity of the situa-
ton, slipped unobserved from her hid
ing place and, berry pail in hand, sped
across the adjacent cornfield to the
small brown house beyond.
For a moment she fingered hesitat7
peared within. When she came out
again she was wearing a crisp brown
! linen dress with a deep white collar.
| in place of the faded blue calico, and
she had on the bronze shoes and
| stockings ordinarily reserved for Sun
days.
II wonder if I dare" she whispered
| to herself in suppressed excitement.
But I'm going to. anyhow. It's the
least I can do. He'll never guess how
| Z h Nd fS "a fNnlI n
and dusty out there. Besides" ire
levantly. 'he is splendid looking even
| when he's angry"
| Ten minutes later, as Jack Raynor
was ruefully contemplating two sharp
| tacks that explained the flat tires, his
| attention was attracted by a rustling
Tin the bushes and, even as he looked,
| a slender girl of nineteen or twenty
, emerged, carrying a shining tin pail
| and a basket. His swift appraising
| glance noted that she was unusually
pretty with shy brown eyes, an album
| dance of soft brown hair becomingly
| arranged and checks that glowed
pink beneath their healthy tan.
| II thought you might like fresh
| drink" she began timidly, extending
the pail. Tits so warm this morn
| ing-and We do have good water
| and on the way picked these peaches
they're Just ripe enough to eat" she
| concluded setting down the basket.
|
| from his strenuous work, the sight of
| the sparkling water was indeed well
| come. Smiling his thanks, he &C
cepted the pail and drank eagerly.
Il don't know whether you are a
wood nymph or just a sort of human
angel he said returning it to her,
| but 1 was longing for drink, and 1
| more than appreciate your thoughtful
ness. 1 always felt 1 should know a
| nymph if 1 saw her-that like you, she
would be all in brown, with hint of
| wild roses in her cheeks and sunlight
in her hair. Won't you sit down,
| Wood Nymph?" he added politely,
spreading out his coat by the roadside.
] 'I-I mustn't" she replied. in the
same soft voice, because you see
| don't know you and"
"Oh. if that's all I can soon set you
right" he responded gayly! I'm Jack
Raynor, OF the state highway depart
ment. I'm looking up the route for
the new state road, and I was getting
on pretty well until the Greyhound"
indicating the car with a nod of his
head, picked up a couple of tacks.
1 was just cursing my luck when you
came along to prove the truth of the
old adage about the silver lining.
And I'd much prefer to have company
while 1 repair damages"
The girl seated herself gracefully
and watched him with interest as he
took out his vulcanizing outfit, affixed
a rubber patch, clamped it into place
and lighted the gasoline in the con-
tainer. While he was waiting for II
to burn out he sat down beside her.
Now suppose you tell me about
| yourself. OF course I know you are
. a wood nymph, but even they mus
have names-otherwise there woulc
be no end of confusion
There's nothing very interesting t.
tell" she replied quietly. her eyes
fixed on the flame. I'm Rose Carey
and father and 1 live in the brown
house over there. He carries the mail
so I'm alone all day. He used to be {
, school principal. and then he de
veloped tuberculosis and was ordered
to stay out of doors, so we bought thi
little place and came here to live
With the mail route and the garden
we get along. 1 had to give up higl
school, but he has taught me even
ings. Mother died when 1 was bah.
= there are just two of us-and
wouldn't for anything have him sus
pect I'm dissatisfied. In summer
l chickens, it's not so bad. But winter
1 are lonesome-sometimes l just loni
to see the real world"
For a moment Jack Raynor wa
j silent. Then, to hide the depth of hi
l sympathy, he sprang up quickly ant
busted himself with the vulcanizer.
wood Nymph," he inquired pres
l emily, couldn't you be persuaded t.
t have lunch with me? I brought
. substantial one along, and it's only fai
to share it with you. since you'v
supplied the drinks and dessert"
3 Then, taking her acceptance 70
0 granted, he fished out a large bo
from the rear of the car and deposits
it beside her with the comment:
I IF you like you may set the tabl
t while I finish pumping up these tires.
To them both the wayside meal wa
!, delightful adventure, entered int
u | whole-heartedly and in the spirit o
t comradeship. Jack Raynor foun
n himself more and more impressed b
the charm of his compa Mon and sh
s herself under his approving gaze greN
Observation-Disclosures
il g The George N