The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-24
Eoening Story
A Safe Proposition.
BY A. w. PEACH.

puzzle to hin1-at least he seemed
to assume that she was just what she
pretended to be-
His coming into the office was
greeted with some excitement and in
terest among the girls, for he was
handsome in a plain and wholesome
way and, after a quiet fashion. good
fun.
| Beth was surprised to find that he
seemed to select her for his special
companion, and at first bit doubt
full, she finally accepted his comrade-
ship.
| One evening after a particularly
happy time, she questioned him:
! Don, why under the sun DO you
ask me to these good times, a little
nobody like myself, when there, are
girls in the office who really are some
body?"
His gray eyes twinkled bit. BE
cause you are safe.''
| SAFE" she repeated, a bit pug
zled. You mean I am not likely to
run away with you or bite you?"
| He laughed his merry way. mo,
Beth, but that ring on your hand"
She stared at it. It was an engage
ment ring.
you see! You have some one"
And you have some one" she
added, gently.
$50 we are both safe he concluded.
! It was dangerouSas assumption, how
ever, for him and for her. The COM
radeship between them grew closer.
She often wondered who the far away
girl was who had won him; and she
knew in a dim way that he often won
dered who it was to whom she had
given her love. But neither told the
other.
A sort of climax came one golden
evening when they were together on
the river ferry that took them home
after working late in the city. The
deep, soft, star1it dusk was close about
them with its suggestion of comfort
and contentment. He leaned toward
her in the dusk and said gently:
81 wonder if it is wrong for me to
tell you something's"
! She thrilled bit at the tone in his
voice, and smiled a little fearfully.
How can 1 tell until I know what
it is?''
He smiled in turn. 'T am taking
another position, going away, and
know I shall miss you like the very
deuce. That's all, and I don't believe
the chap who loves you would object
to my saying that. would he?"
She nodded, silent and almost dis
tressed.
The same week of his departure
brought her an uncomfortable sur
Prise She was called from her room
in the boarding house to meet a
stranger. and found herself facing
slim girl whose face was a bit stern.
'I am Myrtle Raymond, engaged to
Don Seaver, and I have come to see
if you will tell me just what there is
between you -him?" she asked
bluntly.
Beth stared at her, offended by the
tone of her questioner's voice and the
insinuation in her words.
You need not answer unless you
wish,' the other said sharply. "Silence
is assent"
But I shall answer" Beth said
frankly. finding her tongue. There
is nothing between us; we are, or
were, simply good friends"
81 have hear rumors."
Don't listen to them. Don took
me around for company. because, as
he said. was safe
"Safe?"
Eyes; safe on both sides. see?"
Smiling Beth held out her hand.
On it cleaned the engagement ring
The face of the other softened. "Oh.
I see-engaged. Well, that does make
a different matter of it."
Beth looked at the ring with rueful
eyes. Eyes, I suppose At does"
The next surprise came to her three
evenings later, when, as she was leav-
ing the office, Don's tall form ap-
peared
beth. he said directly. ct want to
see you. You come to dinner with
She demurred, but he was insistent,
and she followed him.
Now, answer like a good girl" he
ordered. Did Miss Raymond come
to see you-about me?"
. She refused to answer. but his gray
keen eyes read the truth. He leaned
back in his chair and looked at her
with , thoughtful eyes. But his
thoughts were beyo Il her reading.
He spent the evening with her, and
L. Ice ~ xxvtf =,
curiously mixed feelings, for he said
on leaving her:
"Beth. there is one lucky chap in
the world. and he is the chap who
slipped that ring on your finger.
Good night"
The last surprise was the greatest
Of all. She had stopped in the hall
in her house and was looking over the
mail piled on the usual table The
day had been wearying one at the
office, and she was lazily shuffling the
Suddenly she was seized from be-
hind by two strong arms. pinioned
close, her face turned, and her lips
kissed.
She struggled away and turned on
smiling and at the same time a bit
worried.
DOM"
Forgive me, Beth. it did seem so
good to see you and"
'T have just learned of my one-time
fiancee's engagement, that sets me
free. And as for you. little girl, let
me see that engagement ring"
She held out her hand doubtfully
and saw him quietly remove the ring |
THAT was mothers foolish |
scheme to have you wear her engage
ment ring to protect you from unde- |
sirable men. I went to see her and |
she told me. It did keep some men
from annoying you Beth, but am 60 |
ing to annoy you until you say you |
love me-"
He was speaking lightly, but his I
eyes were tender and wistful.
Beth was confused, but she man
aged to say: you won't have to an
noy me very long. DOM"
Copyright, 1921. by the Mcclure !
Newspaper Syndicate.)