The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-28
Euening Story
/. O. u.
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

BY CORONA REMINGTON.
Il tell you, son." Mr.. Losmond con-
tinued, eff you don't stop fooling
around that Blake girl you'll marry
her sure; then I'll disinherit you"
But, father, I'm not in love with
Miss Blake and wouldn't marry her if
she were the only girl in the world"
well. that may be all right. but
there's something l want you TO do for
me. 1 want you to go to California to
your Uncle viii Benefits and stay on
his ranch for awhile and learn some
thing of country life. I wrote to him
about it and he said he'd be glad to
have you"
Jack thought a moment. His father
was evidently set upon his going. and.
anyhow, a trip to California would not
be so bad: so Why not? After a brief
mental calculation he replied:
Tn be ready next Wednesday.
Good, That's settled. I'll write to
your uncle and tell him when to ex-
pect you"
A few days of hustling preparations
and Jack found himself ready for the
trip. When Wednesday morning ar
rived he boarded the thru sleeper for
San Francisco and seated himself with
a light heart as he idly watched the
hurrying, scurrying crowds outside
waving good-byes to the slowly moving
train. He sat immersed in thought for
a few moments. but his attention was
-
the Pullman conductor speaking to the
passenger in the opposite seat:
We'll, lady, you can't stay here un-
less you got the money to pay for 1t
you'll have to go in the day coach. !"
But day coaches don't go all the
and I'd have to stop at hotels on the
way" the passenger protested.
Beneath a perky little toque Jack
saw a most bewitching face that wore
~, zIrx- f1e
young man promptly sided with the
distressed little creature across the
aisle. and, drawing a card from his
pocket, touched the conductor on the
arm. :.
please give this to the young lady"
lend her the necessary money-it
would be pleasure"
without waiting for the message to
be repeated, the girl glanced at the
card and addressed Jack directly:
TITS so good of you to offer, Mr..
Losmond. II don't know what to
do about it. but guess I'll have to &C
cept Here's my card I'll return IL
as soon as 1 reach San Francisco.
AS she smiled her thanks two fasci-
mating dimples appeared, then disap+
peard so rapidly that Jack could not
be sure that he had seen them at all.
He hoped she would smile again. After
the conductor had gone he wanted to
talk to his fair neighbor, but MISS
Westell seemed to consider the matter
closed. for she soon buried herself IN
a book and the morning passed I'M
eventually. When luncheon was an
nounced, he decided to wait until the
girl should arise Mn the hope OF being
able to offer to escort her to the diner,
but Edith Westen showed no signs OF
moving. Suddenly it occurred TO MN m
that possibly she had no money to
pay for her meal since he had only
| handed to the conductor enough to
| pay for her Pullman fare. He ad-
dressed her in his most engaging
tones:
won't you take lunch with me? I'd
be charmed if you would"
| She puckered up her forehead for a
! second as if debating, then:
/ "Since I'm nearly starved and It's
| my only chance of getting something
to eat, 1 guess I'd better accent your
kindness. tho it does seem dreadfully
unconventional; but I'm ravenously
hungry
Lets forget conventions until we
reach San Francisco he suggested.
| But I think it would be better for
me to borrow more money and pay
for my own lunch" she replied.
| Sorry, but I'm afraid 1 can't lend
you any more" he returned with mock
seriousness.
The girl loked up and caught the
| twinkle in his dark eyes and smiled
| despite her attempt at being dignified
'Well,'' she said, I'll have to &C
cept this time. Let's go at once
please; I'm famished.'
Mr. Losmond ordered the meal and
watched the girl sitting opposite him
with fascinated interest. Her face
wore an expression of eager anticipa-
| ton.
! You seem to be interested in
things" he remarked.
| Having had nothing to eat since
| last night and possessing an abnormal
| ly good appetite, naturally am
TOO bad he sympathized eI