The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-05


Chisholna's conversation might have
been more interesting than it actually
proved to be when he, a tall, spare
loose jointed elderly man of about
company them to the Cecil. She could
not find word in it worth remember
ing to tell Mumsie.
Yet he brought with him the very
latest edition of The Westminster, IN
which paper there was for stock brok-
ers cataclysmic news. And out of the
fullness of his heart he could not re-
frain from speaking of this news to
SOmers, who, himself a stock broker,
was equally moved and interested
Remembering every now and then co
apologize hunbly to Mrs. Somers and
Miss Massingham, Chisholm discussed
the situation in the drawing room WnIie
the ladies drew on their gloves; dis
cuSsed it again in the brougham as they
drove along Victoria street to the
Strand and discussed 1T anew as they
took their seats in the white and gold
palatial apartment in which they were
to dine, and whenever he seemed dis
posed to let the ball lie Somers gave 1t
another animating kick.
1t astonished Dollie that they could
talk so DULY of things so far removed
from the dazzling scene about them,
where the electric lights, the glittering
glass and silver, the Jewels, silks, bare
shoulders and cleaning arms seemed
less like real life than fairyland, that
even Kitty seemed to take her sur
roundingS as a matter of course. And
when the band, up in the alcOve at the
end of the hall, began a soft prelude by
Grieg she had to crush her hands tight
together in her lap to Subdue the pleas
ure which warmed her blood like wine.
Meanwhile, the bewildering. futile,
masculine conversation went on UNI
ceasingly, and, as with a view to Num-
sic, she studied the artistic arrange
ment of the nors d'oeuvres now being
handed her by a waiter, soft-footed as
a cat and deferential as a cavalier, she
caught for the first time the drift of
her brother-in-1aw's words.
He was urging Chisholm to get out of
something or other. and the American
was seeking to reassure him, was try
ing to prove to him that, on the con-
trary, he ought to hold on.
"Old Waller put me on it," said he,
land you know what Waller was like,
poor old boy. Now with stocks jumping
like this 1 ought to be able to clear half
a million dollars. Then I'd give up Wall
street, marry, his glance Travelled I'M
consciously to Dollie's sweet little face,
land settle down in one of your nice,
green, sleepy park places ever after
| can't imagine more deiiciousiy
peaceful life
IF Waller were alive now, he'd tell
you to SELL" Hugh insisted. There's
no sound commercial basis to the thing.
It's bound to burst. Once pricked it'll
go like an air ball. Get out while there's
time"
Wonder if poor old Waller still takes
an interest in the markets." said CHS
holm ref1ectively. Il can't somehow see
him happy if he doesn't Wish he'd
show me what to do now You're such
a croaker, Somers, that though know
I'm right you begin to make me feel
Shaky."
But Somers was busy with the wine
list. champagne will stiffen you,"
said he. To the waiter, mo. Is; that's
your favorite brand, isn't it,. Kitty"
And to Chisholm, You may rely on my
xxrifos "a n
extra dry
Dollie was taking childish delight in
the vermicelli capital letters which
fioated in her clear soup. She stirred
them up with her spoon, watched them
chasing each other round and round
and settle down again at the bottom of
do look, Kitty she cried gleefully.
Look, Hugh! There, just there!
They've actually spelled a word. Isn't
it funny. Perhaps it's for you, Mr..
ought to sell those things of yours,
whatever they are. as Hugh says"
Somers, who sat on Dollie's left. lean
ed over her plate
actually is the word SELL lying quite
distinct and apart from the rest Do
come round and see Chisholm. Or did
you, perhaps, arrange it to sell us?"
he asked with sudden suspicion of his
smiling neighbor.
But mo, indeed" Dollie asseverated
truthfully. TT came quite of itself.
just stirred my soup round and the let
tiers happened to come"
Take it as a sign, Mr.. Chisholm"
advised Kitty. who knows whether
your friend, Mr. Waller, has not sent
it, I'm sure I've read of things quite
as extraordinary by the Psychical Re
search people,
'.Ah. yes; but, my dear lady, you don't
quite appreciate the position" CHS
holm entered into explanations, and
Dollie could tell that her sister was all
the time thinking of baby. Il only ask
for another four and twenty hours. then
Realize now" Somers repeated.
Suppose another four and twenty
hours brings a slump. Where'n you be
them"
tom of falling back into its well worn
rut. Kitty, still with baby, made no
effort to divert it.
Dollie ate her soup slowly, listened
to the music, stored up many little
points to tell Mumsie, and was not in
the least dull. although she did have to
admit to herself that the men were do
ing nothing to amuse her.
And any other kind of ''shop''-litera-
ture art the stage, golf even, or, still
worse, the interminable war-would
have been preferable because more m
telligible than the shop of Wall street
and the stock exchange. But all the
same she was not dull in the least
A tablespoonful of soup and a few let
Suddenly she broke into gay, melodious
laughter.
well, of all things in the world, How
extraordinary Now. do look here!
I've only six letters left. and positively
they spell another word just exactly
as they lie there. Only this time it
has nothing whatever to do with Mr..
Chisholm. It's addressed to a carter or
perhaps to a coachman- Or, know, it's
a spirit message to Mr.. Kruger, instruct
ing him to stop the old wari See,
Hugh
Carefully, so as not to destroy the
arrangement, she passed her plate to
Somers, and he saw covered with about
a tablespoonful of liquid six vermicelli
letters. and though they struggled q
little here and there, nevertheless it was