The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-21
EDcning Story
RosaIind's Rustic Romance.
BY r. RAY BAKER.

asloe on the library table, and gave
herself up to day dreams.
The title of the book was THE Ro-
nance of Roaring Ruthford," and 1t
dealt with a dashing young westerner
who performed heroic deeds by the
dozen and because of Bis bravery was
rewarded with the hand of the cattle
kings lovely daughter.
But Rosalind had another kind of
romance to think about and she was
the central figure in it, She was loved
two young men. Only last night enc
OF them had proposed for his third
time, and two days ago the other had
popped the question: after having
popped it thrice previously. Rosa
lind was satisfied that she loved one
OF her ardent wooers, but could not
determine which of them it was 1t
was this perlexing puzzle that caused
her temporarily 20 lose interest in
Roaring RuthfoFd..
She was Crabtree Center's most de-
sirable daughter, when IL come to
looks and personality. She was plump
not too plump-and she had auburn
hair-not red, mind you-and dimples
1t might be mentioned in passing that
her fatheE possessed something else
that was splump-a bank roll. Many
a Crabtree Center youth, with an eye
fixed adoringly on Rosalind and the
other attached hungrily 10 her faith
er's dollars, had entered the arena
but all of them had failed and dropped
by the wayside; if you can imagine
waysides in an arena.
Only two of them were left. They
were Felix Spriggins and Josephus
smartlox. II beauty played q part
both were out of the running. The for
mer was built much like the moon
and the latter like straw. Felix
weighed 250 and Josephus 1875.
During his spare moments when he
worked at reducing his Eirth. using
gymnestic apparatus which occupied
all the space In his room that was not
taken up with the he'd. But the more
he lsbered to lose flesh the more he
took on.
At the same time Jesephus sought
to acquire ayoirdupeis. but the only
effect of this was to make him thin
ner.
Crabtree Center was small and its
bank, where both worked, was a little
structure resembling a Jail. 1t would
not have been in existence only for the
fact that the town was built at a four
corners where all the rural highways
converged and the farmers used it for
social business gathering place.
Felix and Josephus are both nice
boys" unused Rosalind as she munehed
a chocolate. II could marry either of
them and/be happy-if only there was
something romantic about one of
them If one of them would perform
deeds of daring like Roaring Ruthferd
he would be my choice; but who can
imagine Felix doing anything heroic2
Josephus would be more likely to dis
play bravery, but what opportunity is
there for deeds of bravery in Crahtree
Cepter? Yes. they're both nice boys,
and I know they both love me-"
n n av-k
big as his bulky body. He loved Rosa
lind with all of his generous heart, and
If he gave a thought to her fathers
financial standing it was only incl
dental.
Josephus Sniartlox was fond of fin
cry. and he loved the lucre Mr.. Men
thorn possessed. Yes. he loved Rosa
lind because of her auburn hair and
dimples. but he loved her more be-
cause of the bankroll of which she
some day would be the custodian
Yes" unused Rosalind, II must
have romance; I must have a brave
man. My choice for a husband will
be the one who does 8. heroic deed.
will deliver this to them as an ultima
tuna"
1t was necessary. of course, to de-
liver the ultimatum to EACH of her
suitors on separate occasions. for Moth
ing would have induced tAem to get
together, not even the power of their
1--we 4OT tNOSdllnu-
II will marry the man who performs
the most daring deed Of heroism,"
was what she said. II don't know
how you can put your bravery to q
shall wait until you de-
shall wal until you do
The ultimaum appalled, and dis
couraged Felix, for he knew he was
not brave. and he feared his cause
was lost. 1t set Josephus to thinking
He was not brave, either, but he had
ina gination.
Things were humming along in their
prosaic way in the Crabtree Center
First National bank. Josephus Smart
lox was arranging some greenbacks
into piles and Felix Spriggins was do
ing something with a big book and a
bottle OF black ink and bottle of red
ink. There were no patrons in the
bank at the particular hour referred
to.
Hands up. all of YOU" said a steely
voice suddenly coming from in front OF
the Enclosure that Isolated the ems
ployes. stand up. every one, and
back against the wall"
The employees looked up and imme-
diately raised their hands above them
and arose from their chairs. When
Josephus Smartlox's hands went up
each of them held a roll of bapknotes.
and when he rose from his chair he
CHANGED to be close to corner of the
wall that jutted out and shut a rear
door from view OF the masked man
who was leveling two revolvers thru
the teller's window
Instead of backing against the wall,
Josephus lodged behind this projects
! ing corner and slid out the door,
which eareiessly had been left open
I Little caution was exercised at the
First National, for what self-respect-
| ing bank robber would think OF plying
his trade in such a community?
Josephus escaped with his hands fu@l
of bills. The roBber did not see him.
| perhaps because Josephus was so thin
| he scarcely cast a shadow.
Rosalind was again occupied with
I the daring deeds of Roaring Ruthford
when the loud changing Of the door
( bell aroused her, but before she could
answer the alarm her thin sutton
4 rushed into the room and waved two
handfulls of greenbaeks in her face.
II win!" Josephus breathed tri-
umphantly. "A robber just robbed
I 4