The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-02
Eoening Story
Charlie Gets HissThrill.
BY FRANK H. WILLIAMS.


life would be Just like his experience
in the War-one OF the first to be
drafted and all during the service
kept at a desk job in America. until
long after the boys who saw actual
fighting were mustered out and back
home again.
That's the way my life is going to
be-" Charlie told some of his pals one
evening after a poker game in which
Charlie, as nearly always, had come
out practically even. My life is 60
! ing to be humdrum and monotonous.
There won't be anything wonderful or
exciting in it. No matter what thing
I tackle that looks like action. it al
ways goes to sleep when 1 come along.
It's tough, I'll tell you. fellows. it's
| tough
HUH" calculated one of the 9TH
sure will change for fair. You'll get
all the excitement you want by and
by. You watch"
nix, not me.' exclaimed Charlie,
and he went from the room out into
the night to find his small car and
go home to his quiet couch.
But Charles car was missing
And, right there, Charles luck
changed.
At first Charlie thought he must be
dreaming. His car was one of the
prehistoric models which should be
placed III museums anu II O1AA SeVAli
possible that any human being would
care to steal it.
At first Charlie thought he might
have forgotten where he'd parked it.
But after thinking it over carefully
he knew exactly where he'd left the
machine, and he knew conclusively,
after rubbing his eyes a couple of
times and walking around the block,
that his machine was really gone.
Now, while no one likes to have a
machine stolen, the fact of the matter
was that Charles loss was not so very
great, owing to the ancient nature of
his equipage. So. after making one or
more futile efforts to find the car,
Charlie shrugged his shoulders and
started to walk home whistling.
Two blocks on the way toward home
Charlie stopped short and rubbed his
eyes. There, parked along the curb
ing half block in front Of him.-Xv was
his unmistakab1e old bus. OF course
Charlie felt rejoiced and hurried up to
the machine.
The bus looked much as he'd left it.
The side curtains were still on and
there was just about much mud on
it as ever. But something was differ
ent about it as Charlie felt a thrill
upon coming close to it. Just what
was this difference, anyhow
Charlie couldn't for the life of him
! tell where the difference was, but the
But what was the use of puzzling
over it?
So he opened the front door. pushed
aside the curtain and started to enter.
But he stopped short.
Seated at the wheel of the car and
smiling at him was a beautiful girl!
Charlie gasped even as he took in
| the girls great beauty and Winsome-
ness. And as he looked she spoke, in
| a voice that thrilled Charlie immense
eve been hoping that you'd COME
said the girl. please get in--therets
something want you to do for me-
"a Scarcely believing that he wasn't
| dreaming Charlie neverth eles5 got IN
as directed and closed the door be-
hind him and placed the curtains in
position.
shall I driver" queried Charlie.
mo, I'll drive" replied the girl
ut will be easier to drive you to the
place I want to take you to than it
will be to explain to you how to get
| there"
perhaps it would be easier and
kqu4cker for me to drive, after ALL"
demurred Charlie. 'This car is apt
| to cut up at times and hen it takes
a person who knows her thoroIy to
| make her co.
tTH take a chance" said the girl
Having said this, she started the car
by Charlie year before to the cars
ancient equipment. After warming up
the car for moment or SO the girl
sent the machine at a rapid pace
out on a boulevard which led into one
of the best travelled pixies out of the
city.
I'D like to explain everything to you
right away" said the girl, but don't
dare to. I think you're the man to
hail. L.
you and L know you're brave. BY the
way she broke off sharply, sis any
one following us?"
Charlie glanced around quickly.
Some distance back on the boulevard
he saw a large closed car without
lights coming after them.
Il don't know whether that bird is
following us or not, but there's a car
behind us without lights
They're following u.s. exclaimed
the girl, with a note of terror in her
voice as she put on more speed. "Oh.
dear; I thought I was-going to be so
brave and I'm ENTHUSIASTICALLY
frightened"
Charlie felt a sudden wild desire
to fold this beautiful girl in his arms
and comfort her as best he could.
Never before had he felt this way
him, anyhow?
you're not afraid of a fight, are
yeu?" queried the girl.
"I should say not!n cried Charlie,
feeling strong enough at this moment
to whip regiment if in doing so he
could win this charming girls appro-
val
.There'H be a fight" said the girl
positively.
For a moAent there was silence.
Then Charlie spoke up.
This is all very interesting and ex-
citing Charlie said. But you
haven't told me your name or where
can see you after this thing is over"
The girl gave him a swift, sidelong
glance.
I'm afraid you'll never want to see
me again after this is over" she said
rather pathetica1ly.
Yes, I will" declared Charlie en-
phaticaIly.
NO matter what happens?'
YES"
For moment the girl looked at
hi fT70 mira him