The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-05
Eoening Story
One Never Knows.
BY R. RAY BAKER.

AS the sun sank toward Pine Peak
it spread a broad ribbon of silver
across Crystal lake. But not for long
did the ribbon dance on the lake, for
the sun gathered 1t up like a train and
dropped with a sigh behind the peak.
At least it seemed like q sigh from
were tired from the twelve hours of
labor. but in truth it was leaves
brushed by an evening wind. Amid
those same leaves birds rustled rest
lessly ana twittered.
1t was q time for lovers to wander
along the shore and cast pebbles into
the darkeniug waters and make fool
ish remarks, or sit on rustic benches
and whisper sweet nonsense.
Two philosophers, a man and girl,
did sit on a rustic bench, but no such
foolish remarks or sweet nonsense is
sued from their lips. They were not
there to make love; they were just
philosophers, and friends. The man
had never been in love, he said; the
girl had been and was now, but not
with her present companion.
They had met-this man and this
girl who were not in love-the day she
arrived with her mother to spend the
summer at Summit hotel, which was
half mile from the rustic bench.
perched on cliff projected out into
the lake. Lights were just beginning
to shine from some of the windows, or
was it this reflection of the disappear
ing SUMS parting rays? No matter
the man and the girl were busy PHI
losophizing, and the lights from the
windows were subjects that did not
call for philosophy.
They were both just out of college,
and they knew just how the world
ought to be run They had things
in common, for they had taken prac-
tically the same course, altho in diff
ferent schools. Both were interested
in books and psychology and other
things.
But just now was the time to talk
of love, and SO the girl spoke of it
of her love for another man. These
two had become great friends since
they met a few weeks ago, and she
felt that he was like brother. So
she told him.
Hes a great big, strong, handsome
man." she confided. II saw him first
when 1 attended a baseball game. and
he was the catcher for our team. 1
never had been interested in athletics,
but one of my girl friends had insisted
that attend a game. l realized the
moment saw him on the field that
was in love with hinl--he was so big
and strong and handsome. I knew he
was destined to do great things-and
| he did. In the last inning he hit a
home run that brought in the neces-
sary scores to win for our school.
IQG BLuQSnIS plCkeQ HIM up anu
| carried him around on their shoulders
and cheered for him; and I cheered,
| too, and was very proud OF him. Some
! time later met him and he called to
see me sevaral times. felt, somehow
| that he loved me too, but he never
spoke of it. If only vacation had not
come so soon. and we could have seen
more of each other! But he was a
senior, and he is thru with school,
and is going out to battle the world.
Probably we shall never see each
other again. Do you think We never
shail?"
The other philosopher looked across
| the lake and shrugged the lean Shout
ders. He was not big and strong and
handsome. Instead, he was small and
apparently, weak and decidedly not
| handsome, altho to be sure. there was
something very fascinating about his
eyes.
| The girl was beautiful. with snap
ping black eyes and raven tresses.
| These swapping eyes she turned on her
companion in an appealing way. and
she sighed.
| DO you think we ever shall see
each other again?" she insisted.
The other philosopher shrugged his
shoulders again and said simply:
| "One never knows"
| 1t was his favorite expression.
Whenever he got beyond his depth in
his philosophy, he closed the discus
sion with lone never knows" and let
it go at that. Sometimes it yexed the
girl, and this was one of the times.
She decided it was time to return to
| the hotel.
They set off along the path. Half
way to the hotel the man paused and
| struck q match, Scrutinizing the path.
He dropped behind her for a few steps
and then caught up with her
| why did you do that?" she asked.
| hA he
noticed several ant hills there. I re-
membered, and I did not want to step
on them-that's all. The ants do no
harm, you know; they are industrious
and they have brains, and-weli, there
| is no need of crushing them"
They continued on their way, and
at the hotel they parted. Somehow
the girl was not so vexed as she had
been.
The next day at dusk when the man
started for walk along that same
path the girl called after him, and he
waited for her.
| ST am not going with you,' she
breathed, excitement in her voice.
| ''But 1 wanted to tell you that he
| he is here. You are right, one never
knows The big, handsome athlete
| Fred Handover-is at the hotefS The
Fates are kind; they sent him here
because I am here. We were intended
| for each other; there can be no other
Interpretation of the situation. can
| there?"
/ The other philosopher simply
shrugged his shoulders and opened his
:, lips but closed them tightly. Then he
congratulated her, and while she re-
| turned to the hotel he continued his
saunter, his head bowed in thought
and If those birds among the leaves
were listening they heard him whis-
per, "One never knows"
| Several times after that the now
4 Ill ~ rrsx - II
| the great big handsome man. They
played tennis together and they mo-
tored and they swan.
One day when heavy sea was