The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-22
Epening Story
Platonic Friendship.
BY JESSIE DOUGLAS.

Virginia Fellows looked at the young
man who occupied the other end of
the divan. He was leaning back
against the orange pillows and he did
not look at her as he put the question.
She studied his straight nose and
the turn of his cheek, his crisp light
hair, the way his collar set and pc
culiar ease of his tweed suit before she
answered.
He scrutinized her face sharply for
a moment.
why 1 never thought you"
you didn't expect me to wear 1t
like a placard." Virginia said scorn-
fully. of course I've been in love.
With a mana real man."
Jimmy Masters was watching her
with a new interest.
Her haiy that was always so smooth
ly coiled. her blue eyes that were al
ways SO frankly clear. her fresh skin
with just trace of color. made Vir-
ginia attractive, if not pretty.
But now her eyes were vivid and
cleaning. and she pushed back her
| hair with q little excited gesture.
What was he like?" Jimmy asked
with nothing but curiosity in his voice
Like? He was dark and tall and
not handsome, perhaps, but unforget-
table. He had a scar across one eye
brow, and when he smiled you never
could forget himl He had a voice
ohi-"
"And what became of this wonder? ?"
Jimmy asked with sarcastic intent
| Laugh at mel" Virginia said fierce
ly, Its just like you to laugh at mel"
Pm not laughing" he said apollo
getically, "yeu ought to know that,
we've been friends long enough"
"Oh, yes-friends. Have you ever
been in lover" she put the question
with the same nonchalance that he
had used.
Jimmy Masters showed his hands
into his pockets and stretched on his
feet. He studied the toes of his cor
dovan leather with interest.
Rather"
What became of herr" Virginia
asked in turn. her voice was not quite
SO nonchalant.
| Didn't care anything for me- Never
will. Don't suppose I ever will forget
| her.
| "Oh!"
The clock on the mantel chimed II
and Jimmy rose to his feet.
Good night, it's been a jolly eve
ming. Suppose you'll take the $3.50 20
the city,"
She nodded as she gave him aer
hand and smiled that frank genuine
smile of comradeship that had at
tracted Jimmy some six months back.
Still smiling she stood there with
quiet composure until the door had
closed after him.
Then with little sob she flung her
self down among the pillows and lay
there choking with her tears. She dug
her hands into the orange cushions
and her smooth hair that was always
coiled so exactly fell over one cheek
She knew she was rumpling her dress
she knew she would be a wreck in
the morning-but she didn't care.
Hnr aVa1ids ~,
she would have a headache, but now
she gave way to the fury of her grief
When she had cried until her head
spun, she twisted her wet handker-
chief into little ball and tried to dry
her cheeks with it.
You're a poor old idiot" she told
herself, sitting up straight; "of course
Jimmy Masters was never in love with
you. That you could have thought he
was for one instant"-she choked bach
a sob.
Then she laughed a funny choky lit
tie laugh at the queerness of life.
Here she was. Virginia Fellows, the
secretary Of Professor Blackwell, the
enyied of all the other office workers
She had her holidays and her sum.
mer vacations and was the memor,
OF the erratic old man and noted fol
her efficiency.
Efficiency Disgusting word, 1
meant that she was never late ant
; that she could smile even when /
hurt. 1t meant that she could writ,
perfectly typed letters and keep tn,
files and wear blue serge dresses will
fresh white cuffs and never have
hair out of place. 1t meant that hel
hands were cool and white and tina
she was never hurried.
Efficiency. I hate the very sount
of it." and Virginia flung herself bacl
among the pillows.
That was the way Jimmy though
of her when he saw her coming bacl
! on the train-always cheerful ant
! friendly and calm.
II say, I'm awfully sorry" Jim
my Masters stood there stammering. 60
forgot my gloves and came back ant
! saw the door was open. / didn't thini