The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-17
EVENING STORY
AmericaniZatiOn.
BY DORA H. NOLAN.

BY DORA H. NOLAN.
A March wind is no respecter of
persons. Ruth. Deveraux was twenty
eight and still pretty when she hurried
down the main street of her home
town on a clustering March day. Her
blue cape flew back and disclosed its
brilliant lining. Her small arched
feet were neatly shod in brown OK
fords Brown wooden hose covered
slender ankles and shapely-but the
liberties taken by the miniature cy-
clone were no fault of Ruth's.
One hand grabbed tightly the
straight brimmed sailor and the other
carried q bulky parcel.
A tall man stood in the doorway of
the street car waiting room, but Ruth
didn't see him, as. head down, draper
les flying. she made for that haven.
Propelled by a harder gust than usual,
like a ship with all sails set riding be-
fore the gale. she arrived full against
his stalwart bulk.
The tall man braced for the en-
counter. He grasped the scurrying
figure with one hand and with the
other opened the door. Ruth, looking
up from under the brim of her digni-
fled sailor, now rakishly askew, and
thru struggling brown -curls. gasped:
why, good afternoon, Mr.. Ogden.
IldIlhS lOE the rescue. 1HdI
ture Flatiron building across the
street may be the pride of the town.
but it certainly connives with the wind
to bring low the pride of mortals."
well. it's an ill wind that brings
no one good, and I'll have the pleasure
of the ride up with you," the tall man
replied. There comes our car now"
But I'm not on my way home"
Ruth explained. I'm bound in the
opposite direction-for Bank street"
Bank street! At this time of day."
calculated Ogden.
Yes, Bank street, this time of day
alone" repeated Ruth. you had
better hurry or you'll lose your car"
Bother my car" returned the man.
l m going to put you on yours first.
Here it is now" Ruth hurried out
and ogden after her. But, please,
Miss Deveraux,' he pleaded, "let me
go with you; that's a bad neighbour
hood
Nonsense! I'm as safe down there
as in my own home. Why, some one
out of nearly every family has been
in my class at one time or another.
with Katy and Virginius."
Plainly this explanation was Greek
to Ogden. Ruth's foot was on the
step of the car as she laughed at his
puzzled expression. Come and see
me some time and I'll tell you all
Tomorrow EVENING"" questioned
the tall man eagerly
Yes" Ruth flung back over her
shoulder.
When Ogden crossed the street next
evening-for he boarded directly op-
| posite to Ruths home-March wind
was still on his job But the bright
| fire on the hearth in the big quiet
living room, and Ruth in a rose crepe
dress. with rebellious curls neatly
coiffed, made a decided contrast to
| their meeting of the afternoon before.
You see, nothing happened to me
down in the bad neighborhood" his
! hostess remarked brightly. Have
this comfy chair; it's dads favorite,
and here's his smoking stand. It's
! bridge club tonight, so I'm alone"
| Tho this was the tall mans first
call at the Deveraux home, he felt
! Immediately at ease and sank into the
big chair after few words of appre-
citation of the cheer and comfort of a
fire on such a night
First of all I'll amplify my rather
enigmatical explanation of my expe-
| dieions into the italian quarter" Ruth
| Began. Then we can have a cosy
talk about things in general You
| see. I taught in the evening school
| here the first three winters after leav-
| ing college. There wasn't as much
| interest taken in Americanization
then; the compensation was small and
| there was trouble in finding compe-
| tent teachers. I was restless doing
| nothing. and that work appeals to me.
"Virginius is a strapping young Ital-
| ian who came to me the first year.
He was a deep-sea diver then, and