The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-13
LOWER BOX RIGHT.
[Chicago Record-Herald.l


John Kent jumped out of his cab and
started toward the hotel entrance. While
crossing the sidewalk he looked up and
down the street. Once within the hotel
portal he glanced searchingly about the
office There was sort of wistful look
in John Kent's eyes He was looking
yearningly for familiar face.
John Kents skin was tanned almost
to a mahogany color. He had hunted
and fought in Africa: he had pursued
big game in the Himalayas; he had ex-
plOred the islands of the seas; he had
threaded the Brazilian forests and had
ridden over the Patagonian plains with
the giant savages of that country. 1t
was ten years since John Kent had seen
Chicago.
Ten years. Then he was %, and this
day he was 38. While his face had been
darkened with exposure to the climate
of score of countries. his hair had
whitened about the temples. Time is less
kindly than the sun. John Kent KENT
to his hotel dinner in evening dress.
The clothes were new. He had made
the purchase on landing in New York.
1t was the first time in ten years that
he had worn evening dress He bad
fought shy of civilization in every land
he had visited. in Ten years wandering
John Kent had barely finished his soup
when the head waiter Diloted another
hotel guest to the table where Kent sat.
and gave him a chair so that he was
opposite the returned traveller. Kent saw
something familiar in the mans face.
He turned his memory inward, and the
thought brought him knowledge of his
neighbor. Billy Blair" he said abrupt
ly, Don't you know meg"
His vis-a-vis looked at him full ii:
the face for a moment my soul. it's
John Kent he said, and then the two
clasped hands over the snowy table
I've heard of you during the last ten
years" Blair continued, only as a
mighty hunter and traveler-forgive me
--if l<oF7 T11a I CnFr
you since the year after we left college,
for l did not come to Chicago until six
months after you had left. And so now
you're back in civilization. Well, let ne
give you a taste of it tonight. l have
tickets for Strong's theater; good play
opening night and lots of fashionables
there. You'll know some OF them doubts
less, though a younger genera ion has
come into the swim since you left.
have three seats: Jim Childs is going
with us. Charlie Grannis was to 60 bun
couldn't, so you'll have his seat. You
remember Jim Childs don't you? Good
you"
John Kent and his friends. ChiIds and
Blair, sat next the aisle four rows from
the front in Strong's theater. The first
act was over. Childs had suggested q
trip to the smoking room. Lets sit
here, jim said Blair, and let Jack
look around little. He'll probably sec
some faces he knows"
There was a little stir in a lower box
at the right of the stage. A man III
evening dress with sparkling decora-
ton suspended from red ribbon and
showing strikingIy against the white of
his shirt bosom entered the box. The
eyes of the men in the aisle seats of the
| fifth row were directed toward the new
conner. AS they looked woman who
had been sitting back in the box leaned
| forward to greet the man with the deco
ration. She was a beautiful creature
with touch of something in her face
1 hat amounted almost to sadness. There
was a rustling throughout the entire
house. People leaned forward, -more
anxious to obtain a glimpse of this wo-
man than the-z We're to see the foreign
/ looking stranger.
You mayFgpossib1y remember Mar
garet Rainsford. Jack" said Blair. I