The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-26
Euening Story
Nest Building Time.


/ thin jacket: Il wonder" she blushed
a little as she calculated the time re-
quired to walk to the park, IF Dick
will be waiting 2
Doris had felt much more at home
in the crowded city since her chance
meeting with her old friend. Dick had
! left the village years before she had
taken her courage in her hand and
made the plunge, and she felt sure that
he had already gained success, altho
he Gid not mention it.
He dressed very well and had a
competent, up-to-the-minute air of af-|
fluence. She recklessly squeezed the
package CO sandwiches she had made
from the remnants of her hurried
breakfast cooked over the gas-flame9
SO that she could fit it into her old
muff. She would have hated to have
had Dick guess that she carried her
luncheon.
.Oh, Miss Weeks" the landlady's
voice hailed her as she opened the
front door, here's a letter forgot to
give you last night, must have come
while you were away"
| Doris had been home since the pre-
tvious Wednesday, Her mother had
been i'll and the family had wired her,
but the illness had been less serious
THAN they had feared and Doris had
returned to the city Sunday night to
be>in readiness for her work Monday
morning.
thumb under the flap as she went
down the tall steps of the dingy, old
fashioned house. The envelope bore
! the name of Gribsy & Son and her
heart pounded as she read it; that was
1.-THE firm that employed her All the
igayety left her face and the slim Shout
ders dropped as she slowly read and
lrefolded he letter: ''They will keep
me on week longer to give me time
to look about for something else" she
trfaJ1 oil
| cutting down expenses and laying off
people"
At the entrance to the park she
stopped doubtfully. I'D hate to have
him know I've lost my job she re-
Elected. but she walked on again as
Ishe cav the familiar gray overcoat
hurry toward her.
Hello, Doris, in a big hurry2" he
greeted.
She shook her head.
We'll, I'm not I've thrown up my
job. 1 only came out here on the
chance OF seeing you. Dad wants me
back in Franklin and I'm going
There isn't anything to this city life;
every cent goes out for living. and
that living is mighty Greary affair
! Dull back room in a boarding house,
with cold, scrappy meals. Gee, I'll be
glad to taste some real. food again.
Remembers those lemon layer-cakes
you used to make? All thick with
white icing on top?"
But 1 thought you were such a
success. she looked significantly at
his well-made clothes and shining
shoes.
i I'll do better back home. but,
he paused and studied her downcast
face, I've been thinking of going
back for some time, but when I found
you were in town 1 kinda hated to
co.
Absent1y Doris dropped down on a
bench beside her and he cleared his
throat nervously.
you see he went on, "you wear
such awfully good clothes and look SO
spiffy that it makes a fellow afraid 10
say anything. You must be earning a
lot to pay your way and buy those
clothes" Altho the day was crisp his
face was damp with perspiration and
ne tugged at his collar as tho it
strangled him.
Doris did not feel the chill winter
air. In her heart had sprung a curl
| Gus delicious warmth. She knew now
. why she had awakened with such a
gay zest for each workday, had hur-
i r1ed over the inadequate scramble that
she named breakfast; it was SO she
could reach the park in time for the
. daily chat before going to work.
, And Dick, also, had been intrigued
by the inconsequent chatter in the
! wide spaces of the windy park where
the trees stretched bare, tangled
branches above them and the sunshine
made gay golden patches on the pave
ments beside their favorite bench. Z A
fat sparrow a1ighted near them and in
her bill she carried bit of string
, Dick colored furiously. "See there,
that sparrow thinks it's nest building
time. She is bit ahead of the sea-
son. but it's a good idea. Would you
be satisfied to live back in Franklin ?
I'm going in partners with dad
I'm thinking of going back her
! words came slowly and with embar-
rassment
Dick stood up very straight: rs it
Fred Miller? 1 thought that-that is.
oh, of course it is not my business -
he ended coldly.
The brightness faded from the day,
$ the chill of the winter and the lost
! job suddenly overwhelmed her. How
: had she SO misunderstood him: 81
3 have not seen Fred Miller for over a
: year. 1 must be getting on, I'll be-
$ she stopped, she could scarcely be
: late, Gribsy's would not want to see
her again.
> Don't let me keep you." his mis-
: cradle young voice fell DULY upon her
t ears. of course you'll want to marry
She had started to rise when the
magical word marry stunned her
t with its unexpected entrance into their
conversation.
e She looked up at him, but he was
+ | staring at some late, snrlVelea 1eaYes
q that were making ghostly progress
: over the frozen grass. She wished
y ardently that he would go on and pro-
e pose properly, but, instead, he stood
= dejectedIy and in silence. She could
y scarcely snatch at the magic word and
a urge him on, but all the time hef
: heart ached with loneliness. She
!, wanted to be back home where the
e | houses wore familiar faces instead OF
: the bleak city wilderness of bricks and
Il | granite.
[. Jumping up blindlyN because of the
:. unwelcome tears that had suddenly
y blurred her vision she held out hel
n hand in its much-mended glove
q well, good" At that inopportunt
moment her muff slipped and fell IL
e the ground. She made a retrieving
. gesture toward it, then stepped back.
!, ward in the dismay. The soft, round
package that she had mercilessl.