The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-27
Evening Story
The winning Drawback.
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

! At night he worked over it. put the
pieces together, took them apart again
and tried it all over. Katherine would
| like it and maybe his infinite labors
would express some OF the things he
felt but could not say. AS he worked
his thoughts were continually upon
her, and there was always a feeling
of awe and almost fear mingled with
his love She was so exquisite. so
dainty and so petted and well bred.
Often he wondered why she ever toll
Grated an ordinary chap like himself
she who could have had the friend
ship and admiration of any man she
chose.
At last his little masterpiece was
finished 1t looked like a tiny hang
ing wigwam with a little door in one
side. a success even beyond his hopes,
yet, once finished. he began to get
What should he say, what would she
do when she saw it2 After ALL it
couldn't mean much to her who could
have anything under the sun she
wanted.
The first time he called after it was
finished he started to take it over, but
at the last moment lost all courage,
and lifting the thing out OF the ma
chine. carried it back and hung it on
the hook where it had lived during its
days of incompletion.
II made something for you he
told Prof Conrad's daughter as soon
as they were seated, but at the last
moment lost my nerve and didn't
bring it,
'oh, how dear of you!" she ex-
claimed warmly, but why did you
lose your nerve?'
II don't know-you'r so feted
after all, but 1 did enjoy making it
and thinking about you while l work
ed at it after office hours
''Oh, Fred, I'm just dying to see it.
Please, please go get it; it won't take
many minutes. or I'll not sleep to-
night wondering what it isl
He was rather glad-it would be
good to have it over. Hurrying out
he jumped into his little sedan and
sped away. In a jiffy he was back.
he said, half apologetically. standing
in the doorway and holding his gift
at arms length for her inspection.
Oh she gasped with delight, ga
little cage for Pete. How darling of
you" The man flushed with pleasure.
Nothing could have made me hap
pier. How quaint and foreign it looks.
Did you really make it yourself?"
''Uh-huh," Fred Boatright nodded.
And think of the time and work
you've put on it, and you so busy, too.
1t was lovely of you, Fred"
m awfully glad you like it?' he
smiled regaining his composure. Shall
we see how Pete takes to it?'
Together they transferred the sleepy
little songster to his new home and
for the rest of the evening Fred was
in heaven. Once he almost said the
thing that had been on the tip of his
tongue for weeks, but at the last mo-
ment his courage failed. He was just
an ordinary fellow starting out to be a
lawyers and she with generations of
cultured ancestors behind her and
enough money to buy a dozen sky
scrapers- 1t was taking an unfair adj
she had never even met his
family. What would she think Of his
mother? Sweet soul that she was he
loved her and was proud of her but
how would Katherine feel when she
heard you was. and lit DON'T? Lit
lie things that Jared on his nerves
even, altho he would have died rather
han let his mother know it.
Weeks passed. Katherine remained
IS friendly and natural and lovable as
ever. but Boatright could not quite get
lp the necessary courage and every
hour he was paralyzed with the fear
hat some one would get ahead of him. /
One morning some time later the
phone on his desk jingled sharply.
This is Katherine" sang the voice !
,ver the wire. Can you come over
o lunch, Fred? 1 want to ask you
something"
I'D love to-" he returned
"All right; try to come little early, |
10 we can talk before they serve"
Puzzled, but Unfortunately happy. |
fred hurried thru his dictation and /
cached the Conrad home nearly an /
TOUR ahead of time.
lawfully kind of you to ask me
,ver." he said, almost crushing her
land in his.
lawfully nices to have you" Kath-
,rine smiled. Lets sit here" she
motioning toward the win
low seat. NOW" continued the girl,
L want to show you what I found"
;he unfolded a bit of paper all writ
en- over in pencil. 1T was lying on
he floor after you left last time, and
couldn't help reading it,
Fred glanced quickly at it and
1uShed.
yes, it's mine" he admitted.