The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
Evening Story
Love Laughs at Motors.
BY FREDERICK HART.

m AFRAID the cars hopeleSSly
broken down." said Richard Harris to
his companion, Winifred Davis 81
can't seem to make anything co.
But, Dickl What'n we do? We
| can't stay here-and it's getting late"
Winffred was anxious. She knew
from the country that they were a
long way from home. and on an I'M
freQuented road. Moreover she had
accepted Richard Harris's invitation
Tor motor ride with misgivings. She
did not like him, and said so; but her
FAMILY hoped for marriage, and had
insisted on her being at least nice to
him. So she had resignedly said '.yes"
when he asked her to go with him.
During the ride he had not made him
selr offensive to her in any way; but
she was nervous. The prospect of a
| long time spent with him on a desert
ed road did not hold out promise of
pleasure.
Cant you do something's" she
asked.
I'm afraid not-Winifred!"
She started at the tone of his voice.
1t seemed that her worst fears were
| realized. She tried to stop him before
| he got started.
Now Dick, I've told you that 1
don't love you and can't love you You
know you've asked me many times,
and I've always said no. and always
hurt your feelings; but that's all there
is to it,
| 'Winifred, know you're just teas
| ing me-leading me on. I love you.
ana I'm going to have you" Before
she could struggle free from the robes
he had caught her in his arms and
4 was trying to kiss her.
| Let me go" she cried. you cadr'
| One arm came free and she planted a
Stinging slap on his face. His eyes
| darkened with rage.
| You'll pay me for thati"she ground
out, and tried to seize her again; but
a hand that seemed made of iron
| closed on his coat collar and wrenched
him out of the car He fell to the
| ground. Over him was standing a
man he knew.
| NBilly Valentine" Winifred's voice
was full of thankfulness. But Billy
looked only at the PROSTATE man al
his feet.
Get out of here!" he snapped.
Richard Harris rose
| Il won't leave Winifred-"
| You have forfeited any right YOU
ever had to be with her. Get out,
III bring the car home. Go, now
| before l." But Richard Harris was
already Sinking away. He had nc
Billy.
When lie had disappeared wini-
fred's overstrained nerves gave way
and she sobbed UNDERSTANDABLE. Billy
like the wise man that he was, let hel
haye her cry out and then gently lie,
her tell him the whole story. When
! she had finished he flushed darl
red.
| The low hound!" he said between
his teeth. Then he added:
| Wet me look at the car Possibly
can fix 1t so We can stagger home
/ som chow"
|
seat and went around to the front OF
the car. For awhile she heard him
tinkering. Once he asked her where
the screwdriver was Her face lit
with hope.
Can you fix it, do you think?"
Il don't know-but I'll try"
He returned to his tinkering. In a
few minutes he Strengthened himself,
a peculiar expression on his faoe.n.-,
Win he said, 81 don't know
whether or not can fix this car-but
there's something else I want to fix
and fix for all time. Win, dearNYou
know, don't you, that I've loved you
for eyer and ever so long? 1 know
that your family want you to marry
Dick Harris, but tell me-isn't there
any hope at all?"
Winifred Davis refrained from look
ing at him and toyed with the corner
of one of the rugs
Billy" she said at last. ct know
you've loved me; and Billy love
youi"
In a moment he was in the seat be-
side her. with his arms around her
telling her all the things that lovers
have to say; and she did not seem
averse to hearing them; in fact, she
said number of things herself. which
must have been nice things, for Billy
Vantine's homely countenance lit with
joy as he heard them. Neither of