The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-04
EDening Story
The Happy Exchange.
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

He called her the girl with the
dancing eyes, and she liked the nick
name immensely. especially coming
from him, but there was a fly in the
ointment and it was big-he was en-
gagged to one of the prettiest, richest,
most popular girls in town and had
been long before she became his
stenographer six months ago.
For that reason she felt impelled
to hide the joy in her eyes and never
once had she let him address her thus
without some comment OF disap-
prevail.
81 know it," he would say miser-
ably. You're right and I don't mean
to be disloyaI to Alice, but, confound
it, you're the happiest thing I ever
saw. You constantly remind me of
spring sunshine and big, old-fashioned
gardens all full of blossoms and in
toxicating perfumes"
"Ohr the girl caught her breath.
81 used to live in a place like that.
just full of flowers and a wonderful,
great big old house that rambled end
lessly on
'And what happened?" asked the
man simply.
broke down and we sold the place
when 1 was fourteen and tried one
climate after another. Three years
later she died and 1 had to take a
business course. I've been at it ever
since"
Poor little girl" said Ralph Bar
rows gently.
ITS not so bad" she smiled. "only
sometimes I get dreadfully homesick
for the old life and dreadfully tired
of stenography and typewriting.
Nothing but that six days a week for
fifty weeks a year. But, goodness.
You're making me sorry for myself
instead of being glad I didn't have to
be q clerk in a store
That's a fact, Cory. You're a
philosophical girl, aren't your
1t was the first time he had ever
called her by her name. He had
always said Miss Trevers before, but
she let it go without. comment. 1t
was so hard to be endlessly taking a
man down for saying things you
wanted him to say, especially when
gentlemanly and so lovely about it
when you did give him little hints.
His fiancee was a cold, imperious,
selfish thing, who would sweep into
the office once or twice a week, glare
at Cory with unconcealed animosity,
ask for Mr.. Barrows and mercilessly
drag him off to some luncheon or
matinee. Cory often wondered what
he could see in her and how anybody
on earth could love her enough to
want to marry her. She was so cold
and he was so warm and impulsive.
'I guess that impulsiveness is ex-
actly what"
With a jerk she stopped herself.
I'm a jealous little cat-that's all.
He loves her, I suppose, and why
shouldn't he? I'm simply spiteful to
conjure up all these imaginary bad
qualities in her, but love him, love
him, and she doesn't love anybody. I
believe If thought she did 1T would
MT be so hard, but to give him up to
some one who can't ever appreciate
him!
I'm raving," she told herself
abruptly. Love him-what right
have I? Give him upA-how can I
give up what isn't mine? But he
should be mine according to all the
laws of nature. I know he should
know he should"
The girl with the dancing eyes
Hooked blankly into space and tried to
explain the inexp1icable. to under
stand the incomprehensible.
By next morning she had made up
her mind. and with pale face and eyes
that did not dance she confronted her
''Mr. Barrows," she said, hurried,
I'm going to resign the first of the
month"
IF you think it's best, know 1t is
he said quietly. 81 could trust you to
do the noble thing"
Miss Trevor flushed with gratitude
and was happier than she had been in
weeks.
Thank you so much" she an
| swered.
but, Cory. I hope 1t isn't any
feel-don't you?"
The girl hung her head. TT do
she answered in a whisper.
After leaving Mr.. Barrows's office
the days dragged YEARLY on. Each
morning she hoped that he would not
call her up and each night she was
wretchedly disappointed because lie
had not done SO. A whole month
passed before she heard from him
again, but at last his cheerful voice
came over the telephone.
THAT you. Corry?"
| Eyes" answered the girl, her heart
jumping.
This is Barrows-f just wanted to
ask you something; please promise
you'll do it before you know what ii
I'D be afraid until I knew" she re-
turned.
But can't you trust me this once
thought you would" came back in
| disappointed tones.
"of course WILL" answered the
girl hastily. PLEASE forgive"
"weH. tomorrow's Sunday. and
your birthday I remember you told
me, and want to take you out in the
car and show you the house ]
bought. I must know what you think
of it. You're such a pal, you would
| mt mind, would your"
| Why could hardly-well, yes, I'll
60" answered the girl, trying to keep
| the tremor out of her voice.
J Good! I'll be around at 9 O'Clock
tomorrow" he replied joyfully.
Her homer she said bitterly as
she hung up the receiver How
| clumsy men are. What torture it
will be to me, but must keep a stiff
upper lip It's easy to see what's the
matter; he wants me to sympathize
| and rave over It because she hasn't
enough feeling and enthusiasm to do
it."
Barrows was unusually cheerful
that Sunday morning as they whizzed