The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-12

1880 sharp, as they had made up a par
ty for the theater. Having effected his
usual leisurely and careful toilet, as it
was a lovely May evening he returned
on foot across the park. He had entire
" forgotten the girl and was not a lit
tie startled to find her still standing in
precisely the same spot, still gazing in
to the distance with great wistful gray
eyes. As she turned them on him he
noticed that they were black-lashed
and brimful of tears. Her face looked
pale and apprehensiVe; the corners of
her mouth twitched with repressed
emotion.
Sir Richard had a kind heart as well
as an attractive paternaI manner. He
hat:
Il am afraid-you are-er-a-tired
standing; you have been here for some
time. Can help you in any way-or
get you cab?'
The girl shook her head slightly.and
then, to his dismay, burst into a storm
of tears-yes, loud, -hysterical
sobs- There would certainly be a
crowd round them in half a minutes
already the policeman was staring in
their direction.
Here, come with me-" he said in
an imperious tone. 4'Come-over here"
hastily leading the way to a seques-
tered Seat-''and tell me all about it.
The girl followed him with child
like obedience, sat down beside him on
the green bench. and continued to sob,
and sob, and sob.
.'Oh, this won't do at air. he ex-
claimed impatieltly. "Come now, let
me hear all about it. Your friend has
never turned up. Have you been wait
ing long?"
eSince 6 o'clock. I came over from
Ireland this morning"
No need to mention Ireland, the
brogue was sufficient guarantee of her
And drove straight from Euston
he45
yes. I was so afraid I'd be late-at
AT the rendezvous see. And so
she has disappointed your"
"Oh, SIR and she blushed to her
hair. sit is not a lady who was to have
met me-"
9Not?'' with well-affected surprise.
Then your father or some relative?'
mo, indeed; but a stranger-that is, .
she stammered, "a stranger to them. J"
This is unusual. Have you friends
in London?'
mo, not one. I don't know a soul
except him
1.-The stranger?'s
yes. and I've Oh!' and she drop
ped her hands in her lap, with a sud
den dramatic gesture, and looked up at
face. Il know you are kind and good,
and so I must tell you the truth. l
have run away from home, and all L
have in the world is a crooked six
j
the cabman who drove me here"
Go on" he urged. Tell me all
about it, my dear. You are perfectly
SAFE
'.Ohl" and she covered her face with
her hands. Il feel so deadly ashamed.
Please don't look at me and 1 will
try and tell you
sAiI right Then will shut my
eyes"
and I came up to Dublin to have music
lessons and to stay with grannie- She
is nearly blind and hasa companion
to read to her and do the housekeeping.
Miss TOoke was my chaperon, ana
went with me shopping-and to my
music lessons-and the dentist's-and
once or twice to concerts-and the the
ater-matinees, of course Here
she came to a dead stop.
yes, and at the matineesE ne went
..I@I-I-There was one actor=he
had the best part-he was the hero
He was so handsome, and-and-a
hero indeed. I lost my-head. Tell
in love with him."
cor with the imaginary hero"
ssAnd Miss Tooke was just as crazy.
We went to every matinee-grand-
mamma thought it was to the dentist.
He noticed me from the stage, and
smiled at me- After that. Miss ToOke
wrote and begged for his Photograph;
and then I got to know shim-and
iISlU so DTOuQ--dIlQ 81 AAc4JAS4s
''Yes?" he muttered. 1.-THE usual
fools paradise"
He seemed everything I had
dreamt or read of, and far more. I
met him at a confectioner's- had
tea-we walked in St Stephen
Green. I dare not tell grandmamma,
or let them know at home. They did
mot approve of theaterS or actors. At
last his engagement was up; he left,
and it seemed as if my life was ended.
Then he wrote to me several times,
and such beautiful, beautiful letters.
In the one received on Friday he i'm
plored me to come over-to meet him
here today. He could make me do
anything; if he had told me to XIII
myself I'd have done it. I left Dub
lin this morning. Miss Tooke told
grannie I was in bed with toothache.
She has managed everything for me
spiendidly. When we are married,
she is to live with us always
May 1 ask this actors name ~
Must L tell you? ?"
81 think it will be better, my dear. "
Rupert Wolferstan-he is acting in
The Kings Secret. Oh, do you know