The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-04
Eoening Story
From the Hilltop.
BY q. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

turning the key IN the door. II was
the closing hour for the office force
and likewise the end of one OF the
shifts Consequently. the narrow, ILL.,
paved street was crowded with the
jostling outpourings of stoop-shoulder-
ed men and somber women. among
whom, she in her plain but well-fitting
suit, with her 1.-the, impetuous walk.
stood out conspicuous.
John Colt had been some days now
in this grimy mushroom village grown
up about his fathers factories Fresh
from college, he was looking things
over, learning the ropes in prepara-
ton for the time when the vast bust
ness would be his.
If at times he sickened with the reek
of engine oil, soft coal smoke. of
humanity bent over the machines, he
bolstered his resolution with reminders
of Duty or Beatrice, the girl back
home-Snf went for a walk on the
hills beyond the town.
1t was on one of those walks that he
saw the girl again. She was coming
out of u tumble-down shack on the
outskirts of a quarry. At her side
trotted an unkempt youngster of in
determinate gender who was screwing
two unsanitary fists into its eyes.
That's all right, Jimmy" he heard
her say. Then. as she caught sight of
him she came quickly over. OH
thought you were the company doc
tor. But guess you are the son OF the
man who owns all this she indicated
the shanty with a wave of herr hand
and in her voice John fancied he de-
tected a note of scorn. 4 must get a
doctor. Jirnmys brother was work,
ing in one of the condemned freight
elevators when the car slipped and he
hurt his back. No one was around at
the time and he managed to crawl
home"
1t was but natural for John to offer
his services, and the girl dispatching
Jimmy to report to his mother that
the doctor would be sent as soon as
found, fell into step at Johns side
Their conversation was desultorv.
But gradually John learned that she
was the teacher of the one small
school maintained for the factory
children, and he gathered further,
altho she was reticent on the subject,
that she spent her leisure hours in
various kindly services among the
families of her flock-reading aloud to
Tony Valeska, the cripple; showing
Mrs. Donahue. how to keep alive the
three babies left out of seven, teach
ing Ilmmy's brother how to spell and
DO simple sums And he discovered
Dating from that walk, John sought
rather than avoided opportunities to
meet her, altho his conscience sharp
~ recommended the latter course of
action. For between them, as far az
any further intimacy was concerned,
stood the great barrier of his engage
ment to Beatrice Hammond unan-
nounced as yet, but none the less bind
ing.
Until recently he had been tremen-
dously satisfied with Beatrice's capitu-
lRtion- Yet now that he had met
Frances he was forced to admit that
too late ne had learned of the DIFF
ference between infatuation and the
strong, deep love it is given a man
to know but once.
Then Beatrice wrote that she was
going thru on her way to Bar Har-
Dor. Would he meet her train-she
was very anxious to see him. John
read into her words a possible inten-
ton to consult him about making pub
lie their engagement, perhaps about
setting the wedding date itself
questions she would undoubtedly per-
fer to discuss in person rather than
| trust to the cold channels of cores
pondence.
AS he waited for the train, John
made an effort to assume the look of
the expectant fiance and to drive from
his thoughts the picture of Frances
as he had last seen her, saying good
| by to him on the schoofhouse steps
She had not known that he was con-
sidering it final farewell, that he had
made up his mind to be true to Bea-
trice in thought as well as in deed.
She had just been relating some funny
| remarks of Jimmy's and he recalled
her low, delicious laugh and the
sparkle in her eyes. Frances-Fran-
| ces-Frances-
Then the train drew in and pres
emily John found himself holding q
slim hand, while Beatrice's mother
considerably withdrew a little. 1t
was only five-minute stopover, hard
~ enought to bother with-yet during
| so brief an interval the destinies of
nations may be changed
Jack, Beatrice spoke hurriedly
I This must seem brutal, but the time
is so short. And I am making it my
punishment to tell you face to face
instead of writing. Our engagement
was mistake. 1 thought I loved
you, but since you went away-Oh,
am ashamed! But Harvey Wilson
came home and found-oh, don't
take it so badly
Afterward John remembered that
/ last remark. He must have acted
better than he knew. At the moment,
he murmured assurance of forgive
ness, patted her hand in a brotherly
manner, and, as the brakeman signal
| ed, helped her aboard the train.
That afternoon he and Frances
climbed the hill as the westering sun
flung its radiance abroad. Reaching
the summit, they passed in the lee of
a wind-bent group of trees
| Suddenly. John spoke. Frances. I
| know what you think ana careless
l'dog spending money right and left
| with never a sense of responsibility.
And I'll confess that is what 1 have
/ been. But somewhow, being down
! here in the heart of things. and above
/ al hae Oh
| begin to see that a man can do more
than install spotless lunchrooms in his
plant, put mirrors in the cloakrooms,
and pay q fair wage. I want to do
my little bit to change conditions such
as those below" He indicated the
smoke-darkened huddle of buildings
/ in the valley.
''TCis dreadful. isn't it," Frances
said sadly. and quoted slowly, ." Not
| that they starve. btu that they starve