The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-07
Eoening Story
The Only Obstacle.
by R. RAY BAKER.

Try.
| The sigh was occasioned by the fact
| that June nearly loved Dick. One of
! the points in the young gentleraan's
| favor was, of course, his prepossessing
appearance. He was dark of complex
ion, tall of stature and athletic of
| physique; but the thing of all things
| that made June nearly love him was
! his adorable personality.
| June was aware, too, with a wom-
ans ability to see, that Dick cared
much for her, aitho not once had he
/ preached the subject. The sigh was
| because she did not completely love
| him, instead of nearly. She knew a
proposal was imminent.
What a wonderful man." she told
herself, as she watched him working
| with "a PEN. probably signing Jasper
James name to some letters she re-
| full man. with his looks and person.
atty. If he only had some of the
| boss's great supply of force and ex-
ecutive ability to go with them"
June's eyes flashed from Dick to
Jasper James, rotund and pompous,
reading letters with furious energy,
one after another, at still another desk.
Such force!" June whispered. TAX
ing note of the middle-aged mans con-
centrated scowl. And what an enor-
| nous fund of executive ability lies be-
hind those little eyes. Oh, if Dick
marry him in a minute. It's the only
obstacle"
June arranged her hair, which
needed no arrangfng, and busted the
| intricate mechanism of her typewriter
with a g-handled brush. With
large brown eyes and those curly dark
tresses and finely chiseled features
she seemed meant for a man like Dick.
But there was that big obstacle.
The great man at the other desk was
leaning back in his chair, holding one
hand back of his head while he glared
at a letter held in the other. Shafts
of fire seemed to dart from his eyes,
and June would not have been sur
prised to see the letter flare into "a
blaze.
Yes, brains are more. to be adj
mired than beauty in a man. June
unused. Some day if the boss asks
me I'll be tempted to consent" She
knew that Mr.. James, too. cared for
her, altho. like Dick, he had never
voiced his sentime Rts. He was a
bachelor and rich, and the latter fac
tor was something to be considered,
altho be it to June's credit that love
meant more to her than wealth.
They were happy business family,
the three of them. Formalities were
dispensed with in this inner office of
the big industry. The boss. his right
hand man and chief stenographer
worked together for the interests of
the firm, and the business prospered
While June thus idled away her
time with cogitations, things suddenly
happened.
The great Mr.. James bounced from
his chair. evidently having arrived at
a decision of much moment. His voice
rang thru the room.
Quick, Miss Alton and Mr.. Rou1-
ton! Get on your coats and hats!
T1rrv
ings. The success of the big Jones
contract is involved. The directors
are meeting there rir'-t now, and we
must arrive before >Ieir conference
ends or we LOSE
|, Within the space of five minutes
they were seated in Mr.. Jones's tour
ing car, heading at as rapid a pace as
the law permitted for Robinson road,
which led to the city of Hastings,
thirty eight miles distant Dick was
at the wheel, with his boss and the
latter's stenographer in the tonneau.
June had big pad and some well
/ sharpened pencils with her, for it was
hoped some documents would have to
be rushed thru the typewriter
Eight miles they Travelled before
anything happened; then "bang."
went tire, and before the car could
be brought to stop, "bang"' went
another.
Two blowouts!" exclaimed Dick,
as he stopped the car beside the road.
| Il was afraid these tires were about
ready to quit. Luckily we have two
| inflated extras" While he was speak
| ing he had turned up the front sea
and was extracting jacks, tire irons
and other implements
I The great Mr.. James was fussins
and furning over the delay.
Here, boss Dick admonished,
| ''you take one of these tires off while
get busy with the other He ex-
tended jack and one of the irons.
Mr.. James looked dismayed.
| why he fluttered, squirming on
the seat. Il can't change tire. /
don't know the first thing about IT.
Dick glared at him for a moment,
then smiled, and went to work. June
offered to help, but she could do little.
| wheel was hoisted With furious
haste, but making every move count
Dick changed two tires in the space OF
thirty minutes and they were again
fpounding along the road at breakneck
speed.
| Across the Cascade bridge they sped
and up a hill, round set of curves
and down a smooth incline.
Then OF sudden the car stopped
for no apparent reason.
whats the trouble now?" rasped
the great James.
"Out of gas, I guess" replied Dick
hurrying around in back. yep, the
indicator registers nothing"
''What'l1 we do?" fumed the boss
"Stop I car and siphon some from
its tank. II the meantime I guess
I'd better see about OIL He raised
the hood. took a look and nodded
t"Good thing I looked. Fortunately
there's can in the tonneau, and we
have rubber hose with which to ST
fphon the gas
Here comes a carl" cried June.
| Good" said Dick. stop it and
/ ask for gas while 1 get busy with tn,
oil. Boss. 1 guess it's up to you t.
siphon the gas
| "Why-I-don't know how" pro
tested Mr.. James. Dick was bus.
pouring oil into the engine. June ex
planned to the boss.
The oncoming car arrived shortl.
and was stopped. In the meantim,
Dick discovered two loose spark plug
and was tightening them.
up to you at the siphon, boss, h.