The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-05
Euening Story
West Alley Road.
BY RUBY DOUGLAS.


MANY a man plays his best game
after he seems to have been beaten,
remarked Florence Olney apropos of a
discussion of the tennis champion Of
the day.
And more lose heart-and nerve
and skfli," argued Bob Trimmer.
Il don't think much of that sort of
man." Florence added.
Bob Trimmer was silent for a
those things that way? never
thought girls Nsnt in for the psy-
chology Of anythifr> .
Florence bowed to him IN mock
difference. "Oh, thank you. You
lords of creation have an option on
all serious thinking, do you?"
Bob nodded. "Ar serious. logical
thinking, yes" he said.
We'll, we'll" Florence waited a
minute. We'll WELL" she added.
looking him over in exaggerated ad
miration. "What a privilege it is for
one of US to come in contact with one
of you'll"
Obviously. Bob was out of sorts.
and, obviously, the cause was a girl.
Outside a blizzard was playing about
less easy every moment.
Il should drive over to Bayside to-
night. but-well, what's the use?"
Bob finally said, more or less out of
order.
IF it's no use. why go?" asked
Florence.
Its a losing game I'm playing"
he admitted doggedly.
Florence looked at him keenly
Bob Trimmer-that from you?"
Bob walked to the window and
looked out at the raging blizzard.
Il wonder If he's the sort that will
let a snow storm keeA him away" he
said, half to himse,.. His back was
turned toward Florence.
Snyder-your rival for the love of
Helen Moore?"
Bob turned quickly toward her.
How do you know so much about it ?"
Yes-how. indeed, with my poor
feminine way of thinking?" she asked
teasingly.
Bob laughed. TRAINS will b e
stopped in an hour or SO if this keeps
up. Snyder lives in town. I know he
has an engagement with her tonight. :"
He won't be able to keep it, I
fear" Florence ventured. "Why don't
you try it?''
Nothing would break thru this
drifting snow but a horse
Horses are not yet antiques -
Florence ventured.-
Nor am I beaten-yet," Hbb said
suddenly. Florence, 1 am not the
sort that loses heart at the thought
of defeat, am 1? You're a good pal
tell me. Do you think she'd"
But Florence, having something else
to do, was pushing him out of the
door and watching him turn up his
coat collar as he made his way down
the path that led to the street. He
lived in the same block with her.
They had grown up together. y
An hour later, Florence, busy in an
upstairs window making over a party
dress, saw Bob Trimmer in an anti
quated cutter and driving q strong
long drive to Bayside and she won
dered if he would be able to make it
that night.
Bob, urging the horse along, man
aged to reach the top of Rocky Hill
road and found the blizzard still rag
ing. When, he turned into West Alley
road he felt that he would be slightly
sheltered from the wind and would be
able to make more headway
We're not beaten by a jugful-yet
are We, DiXie?" he said to the faith
iuI horse jogging along and pulling
heavy feet out of the snowdrifts.
AS they neared Bayside the drifts
grew more and more difficult to pene-
trate, and at last Bob, feeling more
like an explorer than mad lover in a
civilized community decided that he
would have to leave the cutter behind
him and try the remainder of the trip
on the back of the horse.
Almost blinded, he managed to re-
move the harness. all but the bride.
and to climb on the back of the horse.
Patting him, Bob urged the animal on,
ana at last they turned into the street
w HolA
after o'clock and there was not a
soul in sight. Bob had been four
hours making a trip he could have
made in twenty-five minutes under
favorable circumstances.
He was almost shamefaced as he
rode under the big porch and. holding
onto the lines. dismounted and bega n
to stamp the snow from his boots.
Immediately porch light was
turned and face appeared in the