The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-06
Euening Story
CAPTURE.
Up - -
by POSE MER EDITH.


Elizabeth viewed the blue wrap
with some disfavor. IT had been
bought weeks ago. when, her engage
ment to Billy Drake had been the
newest and the most wofd erful thing
in the world. and the long silken
fringe which bordered the wide
sleeves had persuaded her to decide
upon the garment. Billy had ad-
mired its graceful Iines-ne had
played with the fringe as he talked of
their glorious future together-they
had laughed like children over the
various things that the fringes en-
shared, autumn leaves, wisps of fly
ing paper, once a down feather from
some passing bird. And then. after
ward, when a, foolish misunderstood
ing had clouded everything. Eliza
ring-and dropped it into his reluc-
tant hand. The ring fell, and drop
ping, the delicate setting, caught on
the wretched fringer He had laughed
grimly as he set about Its disIodge-
Il hate the old thihgl" she. half
sobbed. as she brought it from the
wardrobe and tossed it about her
shoulders. The day was cold and
her suit was rather light in weight
for the advancing season.
Outside, the wind was moaning
among the bare branches, and as she
walked brislly toward the trolley car
the heart of the little music teacher
felt bleak and bare as the empty nests
In the swaying trees.
AS the car moved on, Elizabeth
thought of the uninteresting pupil she
was going to teach-Annie SnIftb~-a
child who bad insisted upon learning
to play tffearts and FloWers-
there had been many, many lessons
but Annie still stumbled over the
same passa ges until Elizabeth was
II. - lrn~~
Annie was more exasperating than
usual; she had limited that her moth
err was not pleased with her progress,
and she had stumbled and fallen
weeping over the dreaded passage in
the old fayorite.
To her own surprise Elizabeth COM
forted the child-for awhile she for
got her own loneliness and pain, while
she brought q smile to wet blue eyes
and sullen lips. Let us try again.
mutual surprise they had tried again
and conquered. 1t was a GLAD little
face that was lifted to Elizabeth's sad
one. when the hour ended.
You have made me glad again"
smiled Annie Smith.
Elizabeth thought OF those words
as she waited for the car that was to
take her home. Would anything ever
make her glad again? She knew that.
behind her own little air of bravado,
would be glad again without Billy
Drake. She brushed away hot tears
and entered the car with a dash of
autumn red in her cheeks. Some one
moved along to make room for her, a
strong hand steaded her as the car
lurched forward.
Thank you,' she turned and smiled
at-Billy Drake, resum-
ing his seat beside her! The wrap
settled innocently about her slender
II
and, with a dear familiar gesture, was
quite unconsciously smoothing the |
back of his sleek head. She saw it |
all-ehe knew it-she felt him SO /
near. and all the while she sat straight |
and small, looking straight ahead out |
Of brown pansy eyes. Any one sitting |
beside her might have thought her |
lovely face naughty and relentlessi
The flat-wheeled car clattered p<er- |
rily on its way and Elizabeth noted |
with a heartsick pang that they were |
near Queen street, her stopping place. /
Billy was probably going home-he |
lived a mile beyond Queen street, and |
when would she meet him again, even |
BY accident?
"Queenr' beloved the conductor, as |
the car rocked to a standstill.
Elizabeth arose, swept the folds of |
her blue wrap about her and started |
for the door. She felt a sickening tug |
at the long fringe of her right sleeve |
She would not look around. A wave |
Of pink colored her face as she felt |
L slight weight on her sleeve-what |
was the wretched fringe doing now |
Had it caught in some ones UNI |
orella, or pocketbook? Billy Drake
had sat on her right-she would not /
ook around for there was a tittering
augh behind her. Some one else was
getting off directly behind her
step lively, there!" sang out the
jovially, as the car rocked
n
Elizabeth whirled around and con-
ronted Billy brakes amused and, at
he same time, apologize smile.
II am sorry, Eliz-Miss RUSSELL
couldn't help it, you can see that"
Help WHAT" she asked frostiIy.
At the same instant she looked