Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-11-23
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
WHO WAS THE FOOL?

Mother said Lynn Naples, 'let me
have that package of books"
The old lady turned to him with a
look of tender expostuation, and her
aged lips moved swiftly into smile.
Two faces almost touched as a pair
OF strong arms relieved feeble ones of
a heavy package of books.
well. dear" said the mellow voice
OF Mrs. Naples. Il thought you had
enough to carry"
His arms might have been said to be
full, for her carried a big bundle, a
lag, well.packed shawl-strap, and
an umbrella, but he took quick posses
sion of the books, and then, after an
instant's evident regret that he had
no arm to offer his mother, he stepped
from the shop and turned to hail a bus.
A fair face that had been turned
steadily towards the two since they
emerged from the shop leaned forward
into the sunshine, as Annie Lorraine,
among the velvet cushions of her
brougham, followed with he- brown, at
tentive eyes the movements of the
mother and son.
Amusing. watching the crowd some
time" remarked Percy Dudley. an
elegant young man at her side, recon.
Cling himself with what grace he
could to Miss Loralne's inattention.
yes" she answered almost maud.
bly,.
The next moment. with sharp cry,
she had sprung from the cushions and
was foremost in the gathering crawd.
Bewildered and for once shaken out
Of his boosted repose Of manner, bud.
ley followed her.
An aged woman, her silvery hair
disheveled, her black dress covered
with dust. had just been lifted from the
ground by the burly policeman, and
was instantly claimed by young man.
WIN some one call cab?" cried
Lynn Naples, his mother lying sense.
less across his breast.
Take my brougham!" astonished
Dudley heard Miss Lorraine saying.
But before he could get his breath he
was Shpui''lNh WI blit SLUG ny l.N llili
who had accepted Miss I.oralne's offer.
. l ynn was only anxious 10 get bis moth.
or to Il place Of safety.
lie laid her in deep seat and sup.
ported her with one arm, while Miss
I Lorraine followed him.
Turn down the side street-quick-
out Of the crowd" she said, "and leave
A., the carriage at the st. James Hotel for
Miss Lorraine"
The burly policeman had finished
placing the packages and bundles about
his feet and unhesitatingly Lynn
Naples obeyed the mandate given him
by the silyery voice and sweet brown
eyes.
The horses bore him quickly from
the scene and through several quiet
streets to his home.
by this time Mrs. Naples had re
gained consciousness and could de
scend from the vehicle with his assist
ance, though much shaken.
In stepping from the pavement to get
into the bus she had been interrupted
by the passing OF carriage, and step
ped back beneath the horses Of another
Annie Lorraine, a remarkably indie
pendent young lady for one of but
20 years of age, had taken pains to in,
form herself that Mrs. Naples was not
seriously injured.
She asked a hundred questions of her
informant, who CHANGED to know the
Mapleses, and learned that they were
In moderate circumstances; perfectly
respectable; that they lived in lodg.
ings off Bloombury; that Lynn was
manager of Regent street house fur.
nlshing business and supported his
mother and young sister.
Percy Dudley stood by chatting.
1T seems to me you are very much
interested in that fellow, Annie he
exclaimed at last.
II am, think" she answered care.
lessly.
Dudleys jealous eyes observed that
in driving with Miss Lorraine they never
passed the place where Lynn was en-
ployed without her turning her glance
toward the entrance; and once, when
Lynn CHANGED to be attending a lady
In her carriage, she bowed to him with
n fainst flush upon her face.
1t was pure accident that the two
met again and again during the winter,
at church, at fair, In picture gal
!ery, where Miss Lorraine offered Lynn
the sweetest courtesy, but II Infatuated
Dudley.
Curse the fellow! III make him
cut his own throat before long" he
muttered.
He sought Lynn out and obtained an
introduction. II was at a dance.
Good many ladies present BY the
way, there is Annie Lorraine in front.
Do you know her, Mr.. Maples?"
Il have the pleasure, slightly" re.
piled Lynn, a flush coming into his
frank, fair face.