The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-02
Eoening Story
Over the Hills.
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

functionary of road laws lurking be-
hind hedges, as she stepped on the gas
of her old sedan and sped along the
country roads.
| Janet was rushing headlong into
freedom. If only for three weeks, and
,. she desired to shake the city turmoil
from her tires as swiftly as possible.
| Any one casually g1ancing into the
rear seat of the speeding sedan would
suspect the reckless driver of being a
thief and hurrying to safety with her
booty Of cretonnes. satins, damasks
and undraped down cushions.
| However, Janet was not a thief and
| the bits of lovely materials in the rear
seat had been bought and paid for
months before. Janet was an interior
decorator of most flattering success,
but for the moment she was tired to
death OF color schemes, furniture of
varied periods and estimates. Espe-
cially was she weary OF the gasps and
groans of clients when they read
prices of labor. materials and decora-
tions in general.
So, she stepped on the gas and sped
away from It all for short time. She
was grateful for the efficient help she
had left IN her exquisite little studio.
Janet was embarking On that which
she considered real holiday. Alone
In her car with only the restful whirl
of her faithful motor that responded to
her hghtest touch, she was going to
seek some Of those little lost villages
that struggled away from the world in
coy abandon on hill or in vale. In
them she hoped to find some hos
pitable soul who would take her in for
nights rest. She was going to be
a nd oh nd Oh
people about her world, and put into
their lives, If only for a passing hour
some fragment of happiness or inter-
est-the vital spark of life.
The women, l know, will enjoy
chatting" unused Janet, land in places
where they refuse money from me
will just do bit of CHEEKY decorating,
install cretonne curtains or make a
slip cover for the big chair before the
open fire or make up snappy little
curtain or two. / know" she con-
tinued thoughtfully as she mechan-
icaily guided her car past a great
herd of sheep that struggled across
the country lane, that 1 can fling
quite bit of cheer along my way and
that is what I love most to do
As a matter of fact, Janet scarcely
had to offer bright cretonnes and silks
and tasSels when she was generously
equipped with sunny hair, laughing
blue eyes and a fund of radiant chat
ter.
The first night of her holiday was
; more than successful. She knocked
at the door of a quaint little dwelling
that lay on the very fringe of the
; world, apparently, for there seemed
not the twinkle of a candle for miles
: save in its own windows. There was
an old couple there who took Janet
! into their home as if she had been the
granddaughter of a dear friend. There
was hair cloth furniture and an old
! piano that seemed not to have known
a human caress for fifty or more
/ years. yet Janet managed a light ac-
compartment for a song or two. Little
sentimental love songs they were, and
as Janet turned from the piano she
! saw that the frail hands of the old
couple had met and remained clasped.
Janet held the hope that she too might
one day know such enduring love.
In that small home she left two
: soft and downy cushions, one for each
of the big chairs before the fire or the
sunny window.
The farewelis there were fraught
with sadness. One never knew what
another spring might bring.
The next was a sturdy farmhouse
with a sturdy young couple and any
; amount of sturdy offspring. In thai
= home Janet left set of cretonne
. rompers that made the youngsters
|. look like animated flower beds rum
ming about the farm.
And SO it went-pain. pleasure, rest
and chaos. Janet found them all In
: those little lost villages thru whlch
! her adventure led her. And then she
! came to the cottage over the hill. II
!. nestled against the side of so steep a
8 descent that Janet caught her breath
when she saw it hanging there after
climbing the other side of the noun
= tain. 1t commanded a view OF me
= Lebanon valley that actually 1ntoXl-
= Gated her with the sheer beauty of it
: Fruit blossoms in glorious array lay
: scattered over the landscape and lent
4 their delicate fragrance to the nostrils
Assuredly a great rivet must be en-
i ployed to hold the small cottage to its
r perilous position. Janet knew that she
e would seek nights rest there if II
: was her last adventure on earth. She
G turned her car, now almost empty o,
= gay colors, into the narrow lane that
o led to the cottage. It was Just twilight
o and a serene stiffness added to the
I charm of the evening. The last rays
e of sunlight flecked the hillside.
a Janet knocked gently at the door
:. while she stood on the wide verands
IS drinking in the panoramic scene be.
fore her.
t The man who opened the door had
= a view of Janet's back before the JOY
: Of glimpsing her face.
"Oh.'' exclaimed Janet rather
n startled, I'll wanted to know if yot
:, have an extra room. 1 should love tt
: spend the night here" She looked VI
: into Dick Rawley's eyes. "I never saw
- so wonderful a view
= s'Nor did l." confessed Rawley. ant
a there was an enigmatic smile a1oni
n with the words that made Janet blush
a slightly.
: She then told him about her holida!
e and how she had been spending it.
I'm sorry he told her, but l live
l. all alone here while I work on endless
Ic movies. This is my dem
= "Oh!" Janet again commented. eli
s. that case 1 will have to be on m,
way" Her voice was wistful. ''Thi
y would have been the browning glor,
l. of my trip
70 "Is there a chance that you woul'
J. share my evening heal with me if
ic bring it out here-so you may enjo
s. the view 2" Rawley scarcely hope,