The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-20
Euening Story
Two at the Same Game.

planted itself squarely in front of her.
"Now. what in the world does he
want with me?" she asked herself
81 can't help him and 1 won't give
him a ride-even if he is a bit good
lookingl"
He came to the side of her car. and
she saw in his dark eyes a grim look
of determination. The tawny, wavy
hair had lost it's Part and was rum
pied engagingly. It occurred 10 her
MY car has gone blooey, and l
wonder if you will give me a lift? I
am headed for the home of Mr..
Elkins," he said briefly. ,
She looked at him sharply. She
knew that her father had been trying
to avoid process servers from the city
for a week. Was this handsome.
tawny chap one of that annoying
tribe?
but T.
"I am Merton Raines from the Of
flee of Stetson & Stetsonf' he ex-
mo, I don't think I WILL" she an
swered cooily. Besides, I am on my
way to town"
II am sorry, but I am on my way
to the Elkins country home: so, if
you will please move over one seat,
Pil-'' he said quietly.
We'll, what do you propose to do?"
she demanded, amazed.
ITO drive you to the Elkins place.
then drive you to town." he answered
serenely. please"
81 won't" she replied briefly. She
plunged her foot on the foot throttle.
but he had taken out the ignition key.
The car was dead.
Angered, she stared at him, but his
dark eyes We're pleasant and smiling.
"One of these rare determined type"
she unused to herself.
He asked her to move, on her re-
fusal he lifted her bodily from the
seat into the next. Sudden wrath was
softened by the new sensation of
mans strong arm raising her as they
would a child; and her mixed emo
tons left her undecided. Before she
rallied, they were on their way.
He smiled down to her. ct am
sorry, and apologize, but you see I'm
out to do what a dozen men haven't
done"
It see-and ought to be downright
angry with you-but you are a bit in
teresting. I never ran across a man
just like you-so near the caveman, I
think" she said, calmly studying him.
He WINGED. Don't! I'll show you
later that can be decent"
Il wonder" she answered, leaving
him puzzled but busy with his driving.
Attracted in spite of herself to him.
she made up her mind to pay him for
his cool cenfiseation of her car and
also prevent him if she could from
ever reaching her father, for she was
convinced that her companion was a
process server-a young lawyer who
had volunteered to see to it that her
father got the papers which woHld re-
quire his appearance in an annoying
lawsuit.
She reached forward, and with prac-
ticed hand jerked the ignitien key
from its socket. The car slowed down
to a standstilI.
He turned around, smiling. NOW,
little girl, you must be good. Return
that key, or right here I must take it
away from you by force, and 1 almost
think would like to-"
She chung to the key, almost wish
ing that ne would try for the sake OF
the experience of having him, and yet
angry at his calm assumption that he
could take it from her She returned
the key with the feeling that here was
a new kind of male.
The car rolled smoothly on, and
then, over a rough bit of road, began
to bump SUCCESSFULLY. She laughed in
spite of herself. The old tire on the
rear wheel had gone flat.
He greaned in anguish. And this
is the kind of car you drive" Adding,
Il beg your pardon"
f"Well, I was On my way to the gar
age when you-you-held me up, she
He Stripped off his coat. Its a
case of putting on your spare, and here
He laid his coat in the seat. Her
eyes caught the CLINT of legal-iook-
| ing envelope, and a wild plan leaped
into being. Cautiously. she drew out
the envelope. extracted the contents
and replaced it, and sat innocently
"Two at the same game" she
thought with delight.
Once more, he took his seat. first
glancing at the pocket to make sure
! his envelope was there. and the event
/ full journey continued.
Her thoughts were a little mixed
! What he would do or what he would
: not do or what he would say OF
| whether he would be terribly angry
when he discovered the loss Of the pa
| pers were questions she could not an
sWer; but she discovered herself hop
/ ing that he would not be too angry.
| Under the Guidance of his capable
| hands the car rapidly covered the re
naming miles, and he came to the
| goal of his effort-the entrance to tbs
| EIkins home. He mounted the steps
| triumphant1y.
"If you will wait, I will be glad tt
drive to your home or to town." hi
| said gravely.
This is my home" she said
| SWeetly.
He staggered and caught himself
| hesitated, then she saw his strong jaw
| set. ''I q I sorry it should be this way
but I have no choice"
Then he went in.
The sound of voices reached hel
thru the open door. her fathers deer
laughter loudest. Then the would-bt
| process server came out, and sh,
| skipped in.
When she returned. her kold-uI
| man was far down the road swinging
with steady strides downward. Sh'
slid hurriedly into her car, pressed
the throttle, and soon caught up will
him. He turned a smiling face, and i
| dawned upon her that he was a goo(
| winner and besides a good loser.
What, Mischief, did you do will
those papers" he asked, a man.
broad grin on his face.
She laughed. 81 just gave them II