The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-18
E0ening Story
Specialists.
BY r. RAY BAKER.


was the idle son of a rich merchant,
with a dark, attractive face. and when
he smiled and showed double rows of
dazzling white teeth, and when he
brushed back his luxuriant raven locks
well, the girls just surrenderedtheir
hearts.
OF course. Melvin's finances some
| times played a part in his conquests,
hut often they were just incidental.
| Ills handsome person and enhancing
personality were the big assets, and
his money simply gave him time to
practice his arts. He was supposed
to have an executive position in his
fathers store, but he spent most of his
time driving in his big car and wooing
fair maidens and when he had wooed
them successfully he cast them aside.
It's an age of specialists he told
| a friend. Look at the doctors who
succeeded, and the lawyers, and the
business men. They all specialize in
some particular line. I've specialized
in love affairs, and that's how 1 con-
uuer young women. Love? No, L
don't love any of them; but I do love
to make them love me, and then 1 lose
interest. There's no girl really could
feel serious about.
Seth Johnson never thought of love,
or if he did, his mind was not permit
ted to dwell on it. He had admired
girls, but from a distance. He lacked
initiative where they were concerned
and, besides, he was too busy special
izing in something else, and, in addi-
ton. he was homely, with big freckles,
and his clothes seldom looked neat
He had to hustle for a living.
into Rockford to live came Susan
Mcdonald. with her curly golden hair
and her smiling gray eyes and her
clever mind and winning personality
lit ont in no.
ing herself. The game of love was
not one of her accomplishments she
had never cared seriously about man,
but if she did she would not play the
game" because she was too frank. NO
couuette was Susan Mcdonald.
on the bureau in Melvin Hamilton's
room was a row of girls photographs
reminders of his victims young
women he had won and tossed aside
with brsken hearts. When he saw
Susan he resolved to add her likeness
to the collection.
Pulling social wires he managed to
get an Introduction, and ere long
Susan rode in the/big car, not fire.
uuently, but occasionally. Melvin tried
his arts on her, gradually working up
to the climax, but he failed. He had
met his Waterloo, and it made him
desperate. Baked in the game, he
really fell in love for the first time in
went the. photos of the bureau, Melvin
had decided to marry.
Susan loved him not. The only ter
restrial objects she cared about were
her father and flowers She lived
alone with her only surviving parent
in the big house they had bought, and
she loved him dearly. She insisted
that a big f-Jwer garden be created on
the premises, and Mr.. Mcdonald &C
quiesced, as was natural where his
daughters wishes were involved. In
the meantime she enjoyed herself, OBJ
serving the floral beauties of Rock
ford, for the town had some fame on
account of It's numerous attractive
lawns and flowers.
That was where Melvin Hamilton
made a mistaken not educating
himself to care for flowers. He should
have used bouquets instead of choeo-
lates TO storm Susan's fortress, and he
should have catered to her desires in
that regard. She never forgave him
for heedlessly stepping on a violet
while they We're strolling in the woods
one day. With all his specializing,
Melvin had not learned that one way
to a woman's heart is to specialize in
her hobbies.
Seth Johnson, gardener, had been
engaged to plot out the beds in the
Mcdonald garden.
No, there was no magnet in Seths
appearance, but he knew flowers from
the ends of the roots to the tips of
the petals. On paper he plotted out
the beds. and after several consulta-
tons with Susan, he started putting
in the plants, with her assistance.
The task took weeks and during
that time Susan became well acquaint-
ed with her gardener. 1t would have
been difficult really to know him I'M
der other circumstances, but flowers
were his pets, his hobby, his profess
sion, and discussion of them and con-
tact with them drew out his real ma
ture. His knowledge of them and his
fondness for them made him almost
hero in the eyes of Nthe girl who
tried to be his assistant
One day while they were planting
flowers. Melvin Hamilton drew up in
his car.
Come on for ride" he called to
Susan; but she demurred.
Come on" he insisted ct have
something very important to say to
you. 1 won't keep you so very long"
'Oh, very we'll" she called "k am
very busy here with Mr.. Johnson, but
I guess he can spare me for a short
time"
Mr.. Johnson" he said sarcastic
ally, as she was helped into the ma
chine. DO you mean that tramp
who's putting in your flowers-that
that nobody"
Susan's eyes flashed
Tramp indeed! He's a perfect gen.
t1eman, and he has a head full of
floral knowledge. And think of his
mission in life! To beautify the world
and make people happy! It's wonder
full. I think.
Melvin said no more, but drove ST
lently out into the country He was in
a desperate mood, and when a good
place presented itself he dew up be-
neath the branches of a tree.
Susan" he said, you've put me off
long enough, and we've got to settle it
here and now. I'm offering myself
to you, when I might have any one of
hundred girls in this town. You don't
appreciate the opportunity. I'm rich
and you can have everything you want.
You must say yes, and say it now"
"Oh, I must, must J? ?" There was
ice in Susan's tones. well I'll never
say it. Go take one of your hundred
girls. You may have wealth, but you
lack something greater than that.