The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-12-04
EDening Story
After An, l Wonder.
BY CORONA REMINGTC

quilts and blankets were summing
themselves
slender with the lanknes of recent
growth. He was nstless. yet restless.
The budding trees, the busy, singing
birds, the warm sunshine were all
knew nothing of this; he only knew
that he wanted something. some
vague, indefinable thing.
He sauntered toward a battered,
mud-spattered. little red car that was
standing in the front yard under a
tree. Adjusting spark and gas levers,
he cranked it. then got in and went
rambling, rafting off down the road.
He had no idea where he was going,
but something seemed to be drawing
him on, so he followed the silent COM
mand willingly enough. AS he con-
tinued on his way an idea came to
him, and he hurried, now driving with
a purpose
Five or six miles farther along he
left the road, and finally stopped in
front of a rather big white house and
cast quick glance over the surround
ings. A look of disappointment came
sight, and certainly he was not going
up to that big white door and ring
that hiddeaous bell. and then maybe be
confronted by Mrs. Armstrong. Irri-
tably, he contemplated backing into
the road and going on his way, when
an idea came to him and he put
gentle finger on the button that blows
the horn. After moment he was
rewarded by the sight of Elsie Arm
strong standing in the doorway.
''H'lo Harry!" she called.
''H'lo!' Want to take a rde?"
Uh-huh. Wait till get my hat
and tell mama"
He was Immensely relieved. After
all it wasn't so hard to do. He had
never before asked Elsie for a ride,
nor any other girl for that matter
and he didn't quite know how to go
about it, but whether his method was
right Or wrong, it certainly brought
results. And she hadn't seemed sur
pr1sed either; perhaps she didn't know
it was his first attempt.
Elsie came down the path swinging
her hat in her hand and, unaided by
her friend, jumped lightly into the
open car. AS she sat there beside him
she was very near, nearer than she
had ever been, and somehow he felt
strangely thrilled. He looked with
wonder at her lovely little short nose
all covered with freckleS and decided
for the first time that it was really
a beautiful nose; and there was some
thing about her curly hair as it blew
around her face that made him think
of the poetry that he studied in Eng
lish at high schol. He was full of
formed thoughts and feelings
that somehow defied expression.
Got your lessons for Monday?' he
asked after a while.
''All but my hist'ry and math. Got
yours?"
Mighty near"
The conversation Jagged again. He
had so much to say, yet couldn't say
a word, SO they travelled along in
silence past another farm or two.
-rOh, look, Harry, at the edge of the
meadow over there she exclaimed
suddenly.
sFXVhat 2,a
= ''Dogwood. The first I've SEEN
Let's stop and get some to take home"
He drove to the side of the road.
then stopped the car and they jumped
out.
Lets rum he suggested. catching
her hand.
And away they went across the
pleasant meadow. When they reached
the other side they were quite breath
less, but they laughed as they dropped
on the grass-laughed at nothing, yet
so much. He did not release her
hand for a>moment. Running at full
speed one could not enjoy the wonder
of it, for romance and races go badly
together since either one demands
IT'S pretty here, isn't it?" said the
girl after a pause.
"Uh-huh.'
More silence, blissfu1, comprehen-
sive silence.
blossoms" from Elsie after a while.
They Jumped to their feet and
started toward the nearest dogwood
tree. Harry broke the branches and
handed them to her under her arms
were full.
THAT enough ?" he asked at last.
"Uh-huh. Aren't they pretty?"
"Uh-huh."
They started back toward the car
again. Back another way. AS he
l.. q Ia
"Oh-h-h4h!" she said breath1essly.
ooh, what. Elsie?" he asked anx-
iously, fearful least he had offended
N h in s o n ly-my hand
cramped holding the dogwood."
Relieved, he took the flowers and
also the cramped little hand and they
went on their way, two rather sober, |
they rode homeward, they said little, /
but. after all, what was there to say:
i've had a good time" she told him
as she jumped out of the car in herr
own front yard.
''Er. say. Elsie. you going to, tell
your mother?"
TEL her what?" she asked limo
Gently.
"Tell her we're-z-engaged to be mar
ried"
..N-no, 1 guess not. She'd only say
we're too young to know anything i
about love"
I'm not going to tell, dad either. I
cause he'd just cuss and say the same 4
thing; but we aren't, Elsie. are weY"
Elsie shook her head and stared at
the ground
'sN-no, we know more about it than /
they do, because we're in l-love Just
because we're in love, and after a 1
while when you're older you get in /
love and get arried because you 4
think he'll make you a good husband"
ssWeIl, don't you think I'd make
you a good husband?" Harry asked
aggrieved.
emit"
well, goodbye, dear" he said, /
furiousIy, as he threw in the
gears and went rafting out of the