The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-11
Euening Story
The Dreamers.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.


The dreamers sat side by side on a
log, looking away out over the waters
of the lake. The scene was strangely
peaceful-tiny. ripping waves gently
kissing the wet line of the beach,
made the only sound. Then from out
of the horizon rose a thin, black line, a
line that widened as the minutes
passed, widened and swelled into
smoke clouds. Fascinated, the pair
watched until the great lake freighter,
with its belching smokestack, was
clearly outlined and gained monopoly
of the scene. Nearer and nearer came
the freighter-a steady, onward force
that rode the mighty waters with the
air OF a conqueror.
Some day 1 am going to be like
that" The girl broke the silence. Il
am going to spring up out of the back
ground and swiftly take a place of
prominence in the world. Like that
steamer will travel on and on. moth
ing will stop me, nothing, can, until
have achieved greatness"
The boy smiled. He. too, mad
dreams.
II will be like these waves" he said.
II will travel slowly, gently. surely. L
will go around the things in my way,
pass over or carry with me the small
the waves, but like them 1 will come
back again. Always 1 will be reach
ing out, out, out"
1t was many years later. Jack Tenn
pie, millionaire broker. left his office,
his head heavy and aching. Big bust
ness had always meant a headache for
Jack. Despite his remarkable achieve
ments and his worldwide fame as the
cleVerest and coolest financier on Wall
street. he still faced every battle ner-
vonsly, still battled at a tension-but
none save Jack knew that; to Wall
street he was a man without nerves,
man with an iron constitution.
1t was for men like Jack the tired
business man form of entertainment
was invented, but the "girlie-girP'
shows had no attraction for him that
night. =
Anything but a musical show" he
told his chauffeur, after he had given
up the thought of eating. II don't
care where. Even melodrama would
be welcome tonight"
So it was that the car drew up
at a small theater playing THE Bulb
BILE Breakers The name could apply
to any show, but the glazing litho-
graphs displayed in front of the thea
ter proclaimed it melodrama without
a doubt. Jack went in without finch
ing. He smiled when his chauffeur
declined an invitation to accompany
him-that in itself was sufficient
guarantee that the show was poor
one, but Jack was there at his own
bidding and he never went back on
himself
The house was well filled. The
cheaper seats were all occupied, but
some of toe more expensive ones
were vacant. Jacks seat was near
the front. The curtain went up on
the first act before the millionaire
had a chance to study the types
around him.
The scene was a beach. The water
n the back ground was a. poor scenic
effect. but the log and the pair seated
upon it looked natural enough. Then
appeared at the head of the canvas
/ black line. 1t was some time be- |
lore the audience could grasp that 1t
vas intended for smoke, but when |
lights appeared and the form of a |
poorly painted lake freighter attached |
tself- to the thin smoke line the rid |
lie was solved.
Then the pair began to speak. The |
yirl spoke first. Her voice was low |
md sweet; there was nothing of the /
'orccd melodrama in her tone. She
vas just child, barely fourteen, |
lack thought. His mind was more /
IN the little actress than on the words |
;he was saying, but when the boy |
poke he realized that they were |
ireamers, dreaming of the future.
such a foolish, useless pastime it was.
But Jack could not become bored
" the play. The plot was ragged,
nut the bright little acfess portraying
he child's part kept life enough in
he play to hold his interest.
1t was between the third and fourth
cts that Jack came to his decision.
His life had been such a lonely bar
en- sort of thing why couldn't he do
omething worth while now? he asked
himself Here was his chance to
pend some of his millions on an
ther, here was his chance to give this
hild-dreamer the means of realizing
ONE of her dreams.
Lenore Roselby sank to the chair
efore her dressing table and gave
Ugh of relief. The play was over, and