The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-04
Euening Story
The Thief.
by Will #. AMEs.

Look here, Collard, said Mr.. EN-
mons. here's the way the business
has gone for the past three months"
He handed the younger man an alb
straet sheet that he had just finished
compiling from the books and sat
frowning thoughtfully while Collard,
with frightening countenance. took in
the unpleasant information the paper
contained.
That's worse than I thought said
Collard.
1T isn't worse, tho. than it's going
to be all winter. I'm up against it,
Joe.>Tm not capitalized TO stand the
losses that even a little business like
this is bound TO make between now
and spring. I hate like poison to do
it, but I've got to let Miss Blythe CO.
Collard shot disconnected glance
at his employer. Miss Blythe?" he
exclaimed. why, Lane cuts good
deal more figure on your payroll. If
any one must go I should think"
Man alive! Bob's been with me
almost as long as you have; and the
girls comparatively a newcomer. I've
got to play fair, Joe
So it came that, with much honest
regret, the worried Emmons broke to
Rose Blythe the bad news that after
the following Saturday the book and
stationery shop would have to he con-
Quoted without the benefit of her
services Il understand, Mr.. En-
mons said Rose bravely, and EN-
mons left her greatly relieved that she
had taken the matter SO cooIly. But
Bob Lane, returning from lunch ear
lier than usual, surprised the girl in
the back room, fighting with clenched
hands to restrain a flood of tears.
1T wouldn't be so bad she fall
tered, "only mother has simply got to
have things reasonably decents-she'sl
more than half an invalid. you know
and its just all we can do to get
along now. AS for getting another
position, in this town and in these
times! Rose threw out her hands
in gesture of hopelessness. Il
Bob might have said: Never
mind. little girl; there's a way out;
marry me and make one salary do the
work of two!" He might have. that
is, If he had yielded to his first inn
pulse Instead, he thought: "No.
tage." And Bob wasn't the kind to
take advantage. So he went straight
to Emmons. "If I wasn't here you'd
be keeping Miss Blythe on. wouldn't
you, Mr.. Emmons?" he asked point
blank.
Undoubtedly replied his en-
ployer- But why do you ask, Bob %
Because I'm thru-I'n quitting
Lane is back in town" remarked
CoIlard as he and Rose were rearrang-
Ing the fiction section. Looks like
a tramp. Never saw anybody go down
the line so fast. Three months and
our natty Bob is bHm, Think I'd
have pride enough left to stay away
If I was in his place"
But I thought he had such a fine
position in Buffalo," exclaimed Rose !
He told niche had, when he left here
so suddenly. I'm sorry. IL always
liked Bob
Something in the girls tone brought
to Coliard sudden conviction of what |
l.
suspicion-it was Bob Lane who stood
in his way vita Rose; it was Bob
Lane who, tho months absent and |
seemingly gone out of her life. was I
the underlying cause of the hesitating !
with which the girl ac-f
cepted Collard's attentions. u
80 he told you that, did he?" said /
Collard. well, now that he's had the I
bad taste to come back here, you'd |
better know the truth. Emmons fired |
him. You remember that college pro- |
lessor who disputed his bill of $S2-t
said he was certain he had paid it in |
cash? Well, it turned out-but I |
promised Emmons I'd keep still. He |
said he didn't want to ruin a yourf 3 |
fellows chance to change his gait. 1
He's queer that way-be hot under
the collar if he knew I'd said this
much. Keep it num- Coilard added |
as he started to meet an incoming |
customer
Never until that very moment had |
Rose Blythe realized how much Robert /
Lane-sunny, helpful Bob-had meant |
10 her. And now, along with the real
zation, came a storm Of resentment |
hat he should have dared to make |
ner think him fine and clean and all !
hat was desirable in manhood. while
hiding from her, and doubtless derid-
ng her ingenuousness, that hideous
)ther side of him that Emmons had
ound out and Collard so suddenly and |
1elatedly revealed. She felt victimized |
and disgraced in her own eyes.
In this mood she went out to a
most unsatisfactory lunch. And in
his mood she was returning. when at /
street corner she found herself
ooking squarely into the eyes of Bob
4ane. He was poorly dressed. indeed, g.