The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-20
Eoening Story
Along Came jim.
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD.

ing, with three positions in the offing
to choose from. Should she teach
French in the local high school, be-
come an assistant matrOn in the dis
tant city home for hayward girls or
take the job of private secretary to the
senior member of a well-known law
firm? There they were-three excel
lent opportunities. any one Of which a
girl might be glad to seize.
And, oh, to be sure, incidentally,
there was yet one more-namely, a po-
sition as wife of James Kittredge
Stuart, good-looking. rapidly rising, a
very devoted friend of long standing.
But Barbara curled her lip at the
thought of following up her years and
years of study by-marriage. What a
comedowni Any girl could be mar
ried, but ahead of her, Barbara, lay
unconquered fields accessible to only
the equipped few.
She hadn't seen Jim for some time
not since the Ivy Night dance when
he had asked her for the fifth and,
according to him, the final time, to
marry him.
TT may not be the modern idea,
sweetheart" he had urged as they
stood in the lantern hung balcony be-
tween dances, but I've a queer notion
that I'd like to have you step from
your fathers home into mine-ours-
without the intervening knocking up
against the world SO many girls think
essential today"
Barbara brought her thoughts back
to the present. 1t might not be bad
idea to ask Jim's advice in her di-
lemma. 1t really was one thing in
Jim's favor that he was do dependable
always at hand when she wanted
him. Stretching out slim arm. she
detached the receiver of the telephone
on the stand. gave the number, and,
as the answer came, wondered why
Jim's voice, low and deep, always sent
a chrill over the wire.
Jim, can't you come up some eve
ming? I've got to decide which of
three positions to take and want yo|r
advice. This evening? Good
What-you have a fourth posi-
ton for me? Now, jim
But either Jim had hung up or the
connection was broken and Barbara
made no effort to get it back. she
was a bit provoked. Why wouldn't
Jim be serious? The fourth position,
of course, was to marry him.
That evening, as Jim looked upon
Barbara, slender and charming in
some sort of a gray crepe de-chine
gown with suede slippers to match, he
told himself that she was too alto
gether lovely to be even mentioned in
the same breath with the pursuit of
heather gods and goddesses. But IL
he had expressed such comment
audibly, Barbara would not have COM
pretended it's significance-until some
time later in the evening
II the girl observed the fact that
Jim did not linger as long as usual
over saying good evening, which IN
volved holding her slim hand in
greeting, and taht he seated himself,
not on the settle beside her, but in
the wing chair some feet away, she
gave no sign. Immediately she plunged
into details regarding her three offers,
while Jim listened attentively. inter-
estedly, and gravely. AS she finished.
he nodded thoughtfully.
Then, They're all right, any one of
them, Barbara" he said slowly; but
how about this one of mine? True,
it will involve considerable secrifice
at first, but I think 1 can assure you
in the future he paused.
And Barbara, quite sure of the in
evitable sixth proposal, put up a pro-
testing, impatient hand. "oh. JIM"
she begged.
Waltz said Jim. imperturbably
calm. you've heard me speak of
Professor Alan, fraternity brother,
etc. p"
Barbara nodded. puzzled.
We'll, he is organizing an eXpedI-
ton 10 the Marquesas Islands to gath
er material for his books on Polyne-
sian rites and idols. 1 believe there
are several women going along, a
dean of a western college for women,
doctor, and so on, but they are after
a young woman who speaks French
fluently to act as secretary-get in
formation from the natives, keep rec
ords of archaeological finds, such
stuff"
\ Barbara sat regarding him dou~>-
fully. When you are preparing for a
proposal of marriage it is temporarily
disconcerting to receive a suggestion
that you embark for the South Seas.
What does it offer?" she asked
finally.
"Oh, everything" cried Jim, with
the air of one who has difficulty in
keeping his enthusiasm within bounds.
Good salary-interesting voyage
contact with great minds-all that
sort of thing And when you get back
nographs--article on the ma
tive as you found him." etc
"How long is the expedition to be
gomez" asked Barbara.
ooh, two or three years, maybe
more" Jim dismissed that question
vaguely. But one thing, Barbara"
and he leaned toward her earnestly.
ITS only fair to warn you that the
trip has its dangers. The storms on
the Pacific are something fierce at
times And there are all sorts of
dreadful tropical diseases you'll have
to look out for. And the natives of
the Solomons-weli, I believe they
were cannibals once. Probably they're
decent enough now-but do be care |
full"
''You speak quite as if I had already |
said yes" said Barbara
"Oh, it's a chance in a million for
an unmarried woman with no respon- |
sibilities"
But I never said I would never be |
married." cried Barbara Indignantly. |
IF eventually. why not teased |
Jim. Then stopped as he caught a |
certain BOX in Barbara's eyes. MY |
dear. you don't-why you can't /
mean"
II didn't know did" murmured |
the girl as she allowed herself to be |
drawn into his willing arms, until |
saw you trying to get rid of me down !
in the South Seas. without caring how /
long I was gone or what danger 1 !
was in
Jim. supremacy content held her
close. Its lucky you sent for me to 1
get-nv advice" he said.