The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-12
EUening Story
Tom Brent, Hiker.
BY LILACE NJ. MITCHELL.


Another lovely day. sis"
And quite as suddenly as her face
had wreathed itself in smiles the
mouth fell into a straight line. 1t was
Easter! Easter Sunday and the Hik-
ing club would go as usual to the
woods with a packed luncheon. Every
other Sunday Kathleen had been joy
Gus over. the prospect of a DIZZY in the
woods after the long week standing at
the music counter suggesting this
song or that, rolling countless little
rolls of sheet music, taking countless
numbers of dollars and ralf dollars to
the cash register and returning to the
customers countless numbers of nickels
and pennies.
But every other Sunday had been
only a common Sunday, so to speak
Every other Sunday she had put fresh
white collars and cuffs on her trico-
tine frock and had freshly glazed her
fur choker so that it cleaned like new
after its water bath and brushing and
she had been as well off as any girl
in the club. Tom Brent had evidently
thought that she looked nicer than
any of the other girls, for he as mixer
in-chief, as he proudly called h1nseh
after he had been CHOSEN leader for
the subsequent half year had so far
chosen Kathleen every time to hike
with him and lead the rest.
And now it was Easter Sunday!
The day that every one else in the
club would have new clothes, a new
suit probably, new gloves, new low
shoes, new hat, new everything. AND
Kathleen alone was the exception She
knew that Myra, the girl who sold
music ALBUMS across the aisle from
her, had new suit. 1t was a blue
tricotine with an open front filled in
with soft lace ruffles-
Her hat was taffeta with silk ruff
files. Her shoes were strapped slip
pers with wonderful heels just like
the ones in the photogravure section
of the Sunday paper. Kathleen could
have drawn with great accuracy the
outfit, for Myra had told her about
it in great detail every time there was
a slack moment in the music depart
ment. To be sure, Myra had had TO
get most of the things at time-pay-
ment house, but, after all, what did
that matter? There was never enough
money to go around anyhow, and
what difference did it make where 1t
was paid over?
For the moment Kathleen regretted
her desire to keep her bills all paid.
Nfvra had already been casting friend
ly eyes upon the tall Tom Brent. Men
loved good clothes, reflected kath-
leen. There was no reason to sup
pose that Tom Brent was any excep-
ton to the rule.
kathleen was late at the meeting
of the Hikers at o'clock. AS she
slipped in at the rear of the process
sion, which was on its way to the
railroad station, which would take
them to Hubbard'S Woods, where they
would start the long walk, it seemed
to her that every member of the club
and every one who had ever been in
yited to become a member must have
turned out on this beautiful Easter
Sunday to show all of the new clothes
that had been acquired in the past
few weeks.
She saw Tom Brent look about him
several times and then glance at his
4rl7 hut oh lra oil ont of
He might feel that he ought to ask
her to accompany him today, merely
because he had done so every other
Sunday and she did not want tol
that looked so out of place in the brill
liant sunshine.
In the train she saw him start thru
several times, evidently in search of
some one, but each time he was
stopped by questions as to route or
tickets or time of return. 1t was 1
o clock in Hubbards Woods when
the sun covered its face with cloud
that burst instantly and covered the
mixers with rain. Myra, who was
What shall do?" she cried in dis
may. "Oh, Kathleen, you have only
your old tricotine on. Can't you let
me take your coat to cover up my
new suit?
Kathleen was already unbuttoning
the coat when the voice of Tom Brent |
cut in. Miss Erickson, you ought to |
bring proper wraps. I'm sorry, but |
Kathleen needs her coat herself. Come |
on, Kathleen, I've been looking all |
over for you ever since We started. !
What was the big idea, sneaking |
along here at the end?" And with a |
laugh she found herself being swept
along toward the head of the pro- |
cession
but I didn't have anything new
to wear" she was saying as they |
turned into the entrance of the house /
where Kathleen and her sister lived !
that evening, land didn't want" |
That's just what loved about |
you" cut in Tom Brent. GLOW ridicu- |
lous it looks to wear high heels and |
silk ruffles on a hiking trip! Pretty |
clothes are all right in their place, !
but not hikingi"
But if I'd had them said Kath- !
leen, honestly, raising her very blue |
eyes to his. Il would have-worn |
them
wei. if that's the case" grinned !
Tom Brent, his hands in the pockets |
OF his coat, you really need some
body to-er-welI to take care of
you.''
Kathleen whose eyes had been up
on his but an instant before. now
looked out of the door.
You see. Katy" said Tom Brent |
huskily, We've been taking hikes
together for long time now. Why
not keep IL up dnQ-nlke right thru
life together2"
Dear me I hope you haven't
caught cold" said kathleen irrela-
7antiy.
And that night as Kathleen and her
sister were taking down their hair
kathleen listened dreamiIy to her
sisters words; Wei, another love
y day gone, sis"
Yes, but this was the very loveIiest |
me of ALL" kathleen murmured as
'he laid her hairpins on the dressing
;ase.
-CODvripbf 1902 nv tho Ncf7,ra