The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-17
Eoening Story
In the Romance Drug Store.
By FRANK H. WILLIAMS.

She had a beau, of course-no girl
so pretty and piquant and altogether
desirable could miss having some
young fellow "crazy about her." in
spite of the fact that he nearly had
to fight his way thru spraWling chill
dren and curious neighbors to reach
her side.
Imogene's beau was young Bill Jen-
nings, a likable fellow several years
Imogene's senior, and holding a good
position in a downtown bank.
All during the hot summer Bill had
been calling regularly on Imogene,
plotting his wheeling flivverS thru the
hot streets to her home and being the
life of the party at more than one
family gathering, where the younger
children fought all over the plaCs, or
played cracked pieces on the family
photograph, or made sly remarks
about big sister and her feller. And
when the nights had ggown cooler and
the hint of autumn was in the air.
Imogene had come to feel that Bill
was the one man in the world for her.
But what chance was there for Bill
to propose? Time and again as Imo-
gene pictured to herself the joys of a
little home of her own, where she
could make the coffee which Bill so
liked for Bill alone instead of for a
great profusion of brothers and sis
ters, and where the dusk of evening
would bring Bill home from work and
happiness to her, she sighed mourn
fully and felt that it was no use. Not
only did there appear to be no chance
for Bill to pop the question, but also
Imogene feared that her tumRltuous
family might eventually drive Bill
from her to some quieter home.
And then came the evening when
love enVeloped Imogene in a pink
cloud of pure joy.
And how unpropitiously the evening
eft a RI p6f A fEn 70
had parked his car at the curbing in
front of the Hetriek home young Jim
Hetrick, aged seventeen, bounced into
the drivers seat and announced that
he was going to borrow the car for a
while. 1mogene's heart sank as she
saw Jim tearing down the street. Late
ly Imogene's mother had been allow
ing her to take short rides with Bill
in the ancient flivver, and Imogene
had been rather counting on a ride
this evening. Tonight she had felt
was to be the night of nights, and yet
here was the one best chance for CIV
ing Bill a chance to speak gone to
smash.
I'm awfuIly sorry" said Imogene
to Bill. 81 just wish father was here
he'd not let Jim do a thing like
"Oh, never mind" said Bill, a trifle
ruefully. Lets go in the house and
play the monograph. I've brought
a new record.
Imogene led the way into the par
lor. Much to her surprise the parlor
was empty. What luck. Perhaps,
now
Bill placed the record on the ma
chine and started it. The piece was
a fox tro.. He held out his arms to
Imogene and she floated into them.
They were good dancers and liked
to dance together. And now, thought
Imogene, now would be the time. She
felt Bill hold her more tightly.
Dear whispered Bill, softly.
But Bill got no farther than that
For into the room dashed temPestuous
Nellie, one of Imogene's younger
sisters.
Gee, it's a new record. amt it?''
cried Nellie, excitedly. Did you bring
it, Bill ?"
Eyes" said Bill shortly, in a voice
that was plainly irritated.
Imogene's heart sank. If Bill was
to be always interrupted perhaps he'd
life without Bill would be very bleak
indeed. A tremor of fear possessed
her. She must do something quickly.
She simply couldn't let Bill get away.
Gently Imogene disengaged herself.
"Oh, BILL" she exclaimed, as a happy
idea came to her, Tets go to the
Family Theater tonight. There's a
good film there tonight"
ITS pretty hot" demurred Bill
rather ungraciously.
Please" whispered Imogene clutch
ing BilPs arm and gazing at him with
eyes filled with alteration.
"Au right" said Bill
Imogene had figured that with the
weather so hot there would be but
few people in the Family theater. And
in the darkness of the theater there
would surely be a chance for Bill.
Imogene was right about the scarcity
of the people in the theater. But no
sooner had she and Bill seated them
selves in a dark spot well at the rear
than i'll fortune once more came her
self of her hand than Imogene's
parents entered the theater and I'M
suspectingly seated themselves in the
row just to the rear.
Imogene felt Bills discontinue as
an actual physical force depressing
her heart. She was dismayed and
fearful. Over and over again she kept
telling herself, TITS tonight or not at
all. Tonight or not at all"
The picture seemed interminable to
Imogene. But at last it was over. At
last they walked out of the theater.
Surely now they would be a chance
for Bill. But Mr.. Hetrick, feeling in
jovial mood invited Imogene and Bill
to have a soda at the Smith Brothers
drug store down at the corner.
at this further intrusion of her family.
And again Imogene felt distressed and
fearful.
But there was nothing TO it save to
accept the invitation. And so to the
drug store, thru crowded streets,
Imogene and Bill went.
To all appearances the Smith
Brothers drug store was the last place
in the world for romance. It was a
busy place, crowded to suffocation
and common in appearance. But here
it was that romance came to Imogene.
They had to wait for seats at one
of the tables, and when they did seat
themselves Mr.. Hetriek ordered choco-
late sedas for all four.
perhaps you'd like something else"
suggested Imogene timidly to Bill. who
was moodiIy examining the menu card.
Bill said nothing for a moment or
so. Then he looked up with a sudden