The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-10
EDening Story
Caught!
By CORONA REMINGTON.


He was plunging thru the woods in
his usual carefree manner when sud
denly he came upon her crouched al
most at his feet
You startled me-" His voice
sounded somewhat peeved.
Nothing to the way you startled
me-" she flashed back.
DO you know that it's dangerous
for you to be out here this near
dark" he went on. unmoved by her
nettled tones.
'swhy?" she asked. her eyes grow
ing big.
place at this time of year and you
might get bitten. How can you see
where you're putting your foot in all
this underbrush and it nearly night?"
II didn't know that" she answered,
her face paiing slightly.
We'll, now I've told you, you must
go home at once. Come, III sec you
there"
That's very nice of you, but I'm
perfectly satisfied where 1 am" she
returned coolly. making no attempt to
rise.
I'll stay until you change your
mind" he said quietly.
"Oh, please CO." she begged.
He paid no attention to her remark,
but went on good-naturedly: Guess
I'd better introduce myself. We seem
to be in for quite a siege of it.
Don't, please" she said pettishly.
Il don't even want to know who you
are"
"All right" he smiled as he lit
cigar and dropped carelessly at her
feet. Wen say that I'm Mr.. Man
and you're Miss Sprite."
The girl was in anything but a jest
ing mood.
1.-THE fact is" she said after while
as the darkness settled around them,
IN just have to go. My friends a
they'll be scared to death if I'm not in
pretty soon"
There! You're coming to your
Senses" he remarked with satisfaction.
The girl only answered by suddenly
bursting into tears while the man
looked on in amazement.
why, what's the matter?" he ask
ed, but she only continued to weep.
Look here" he said at last. For
PHYS sake, do stop or I'll just about
go dippy. When I see a girl cry I
either want to spank her or take her
in my arms and soothe her, and since
you're a perfect stranger to me I'm
afraid to do either. You might mis-
understand"
The sprite could not help laughing
at this in spite of her predicament
Now, won't you tell me what the
trouble is?" he asked gently.
Il guess I'll have to-" She con-
~fessed. ITO begin with, there's a
crowd of US camping in a little tent
on the Watkins place, and since we
came to the country we've all gone
perfectly wild.
1T was dreadfully hot this after
noon about 2 o'clock and we were all
lying around in the shade trying to
keep cool when some one said I wish
I had a nice luscious watermelon and
We began talking about how good it
would be, and, before 1 knew it they
had dared me to go and slip one out
OF somebody's field. don't know yet
what made me agree to do it, and if
had been in town I'd have died before
would have stolen a. pin, but Well
the long and short of it is that I'm
sitting on one of your watermelons."
The man laughed until the forest
echoed.
so you got it out of the patch on
the other side of the thicket?" he
said.
Yes. and I'll do anything on earth
if you won't send me to Jail It would
kill my father and mother and we'd
all be disgraced," she pleaded.
The man seemed to debate with
himself while the sprite eagerly
watched him.
Where do you live?" he asked at
last.
''Kensington. s48 watauga ave-
nue."
81 live in Kensington, too" he went
on you'll have to let me come and
call, say, twice a week for two months
That's the only demand 1 make. In
the meanwhile. let's take the melon
to camp and I'll leave you before we
of your misadventure."
You're really too lenient," the
sprite smiled happily, land 1 agree to
the conditions absolutely and prom
Use never, never to do it again.
When they parted at the edge of
the clearing where the tent was
pitched he handed her the melon and
turned to go.
by the way" he said over his
shoulder. when are you going back
to town? ?"
Tomorrow" she answered ruefully.
'All right. Tomorrow'n be Satur-
day. See you Sunday He raised his
hat and in a second the bushes had
closed behind him.
The two months sped swiftly by and
with little coaxing the man managed
to prolong his inflicted fine thru the
winter and into the spring. with the
summer the girl went back to camp
and he to the old farm house nearby.
Naturally they spent most of their
time together, and one day when they
were rambling thru the woods picking
berries, the man stopped suddenly.
DO you remember" he said.
Remember what2" she asked.
TT was a year ago today at this
very spot"
The girl blushed. but asked bravely:
What was?"
That met you after you'd stolen
the.
Don't say 'stolen,''' she broke in.
Say slipped"
At the end of the sentence her voice
shook and for some unaccountable
reason she burst into tears again
This time the man did not hesitate to
administer the proper consolation.
nor did the girl protest After a pause
he spoke:
Dearest, have a dreadful confess
sion to make and 1 know you'n never
forgive me for doing It. but I felt it
was my only chance of ever seeing
you again.
Tell me duickly- what have Won