The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-09
Eoening Story
Agree to Disagree.

. 4h<A4 Dx4L11ks
DO you think we were made for
each other, Fred?"
Fred Hamilton's lip curIed in scorn.
Hardly. I have never thought SO
except back in our school days, when
I used to carry your books and share
my jaw-breakers with YOU"
Eva. NARROW adjusted bouquet of
roses in d vase on the table.
''Then why carry on this farce any
longer? It's making us both mis-
cradle. We don't love each other; in
fact, it's quite the reverse. For one
thiug.eyou're terribly selfish, and there
are other things about you that I do
not ike
Thanks for the compliment" he
said dryly, rising from the chair in
which he had been seated. Perhaps
I am selfish, but remember I am an
the same opinion about YOU
She lifted the vase and inhaled the
fragrance from the flowers.
Thanks for the compliment" she
Knocked. Perhaps I also am selfish,
but remember !, too, am an only child.
isn't it? 1t appears to be mutually
agreeable for us to disagree
Decidedly" he acQuiesced. 1T was
foolish for US to become engaged In
the first place"
I'VE wouldn't have" she reminded,
IF it had not been for our parents.
Just because they had all been friends
they tried to settle our destiny for us.
It was all right when we were chill
dren, but since we've grown old
it's different"
you are right. We have been
keeping the affair going simply be-
cause our parents wished it. 1t was
not question of love or money. be-
cause both of US are comfortably fixed,
you with the money your father left
you and I with my prospecting bust
ness was simply honoring my
parents wish, but if they were alive
they would not insist on it, am sure"
AS l feel the same way about it,
we will call it quits then" said Eva,
and that is what they did.
When Fred left the apartment .oc-
cupied by Eva and her aunt he was
not in the best spirits imaginable. It
was not pleasant to be called selfish,
even by a girl he did not love. He
leaped into his roadster and drove
down town.
Selfish. was he? Well. perhaps she
was right. Come to think of it, he
never had gone out of his way to
tighten any ones burden. Still, it
wasn't necessary for Eva to pick him
ito pieces that way.
Down thru the congested streets he
drove, unable to shake off a feeling
he could not quite analyze. He was
as glad to be free of Eva as she was
to get rid of him, but that remark
about selfishness ranked
He had been driving abstractedly,
when of a sudden a cry distracted him.
A big touring car ahead had come
quickly to halt, but as abruptly it
started off and disappeared. jam
ming on the brakes, Fred managed to
avoid striking a small, huddled human
form on the street.
He looked with a feeling of Gu
rtosity for moment. He did not think
of mingling with the crowd that
rushed from the curb and lowered
about the huddled form. It was no
concern of his, was his thought, until
suddenly the trend of his recent reco1-
lection flash back to his mind. You're
terribly Selfish" were the words that
echoed in his ears, and they prompted
him to leave the car and join the
group.
A man held the limp form in his
arms Fred recognized the pale face
as that of a diIninutive newsboy ia
miliar to this busy corner.
Poor kid" said the man. THAT
big car hit him and hurried away.
What had I better do with him ?"
Take him to Doctor Wilson's office
across the street." Fred directed. I'LL
| be there as soon as I park my car"
When Fred entered the office the
boy was lying on lounge looking
about with wide. inquiring, timorous
eyes.
''He is not seriously injured" said
the doctor, turning toward Fred. but
he has sustained a severe shock, and
he should be taken home at once"
The boy looked up wildly.
''No-no!" he exclaimed in plain
tive little voice. 81 can't go. haven't
no M nrSf Wharn
are they?"
That's all right" said Fred. Come
on with me and I'll take you home. 1
have the money for your papers right
here. You see, II sold them for
you"
The lad lived with his father in a
howell in the worst part of the city.
The father was an invalid, and it was
necessary for Little Jim, as he affec-
tionately called his son. to get out and
earn their living. The invalid was
kindly old man, who regretted that the
boy could not attend school. but
what are we to DOR he asked.
The plight of Little Jim played upon
some hitherto unused heartstring in
Fred's breast.
"You will sell no more papers" he
said. "You will go to school,"
But Little Jim and his father were
I'VE cannot permit IT. said the in
valid. you may help us some II you
wish, but we cannot let anybody sup
port us fully"
Fred visited them twice q week,
bringing them food, for theyfwould not
accept money, and Little Jim won his
way into the young mans heart.
you are very good to u.s." said the
! father on one occasion. ''and there are
other people who are good to us, too"
| "And ( like you best OF anybody in
| the world" Little Jim told Fred, "ex-
cept daddy and one other"
/ Came a day when Fred called to find