The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-04
THE EVENING STORY.
NV Kidnapine.

My kidnapping. 81
was told that my father and had
idolized each other, but as was only
four years old when, as my mother al
ways expressed it, che left US 1 did
not remember him.
When I was a girl of sixteen I was
one day watching a housemaid move
IN It's place when l noticed the corner
of an envelope sticking out from the
back of the desk. I took hold of it
and drew it out. 1t was addressed to
my mother, had never been opened
and the post mark bore q date Of
twelve years before. I concluded to
open it. It read:
IF you are convinced, write me
definitely by return mail. After sum
day it will be too late"
It was signed with a single letter,
either an NJ. or W., could not be
certain which.
I placed the note in one of the little
drawers in the upper part OF the desk.
My mother was absent at the time, and
I intended to call her attention to it
on her return, but forgot all about it.
One evening I visited a friend who
lived a few doors from our house and,
home alone. A carriage was standing
by the curb, and two men were lOiter-
ing on the sidewalk. AS I passed they
approached me. and almost before
knew what had happened they had
lifted me off my feet and put me in
the carriage. Then they both got in
and shut the door, and the coachman
drove away.
I begged them with tears to tell me
what it all meant and what they were
going to do with me. One of them as
sured me that no harm would come to
me and had best calm myself. After
driving some distance they entered
large grounds and stopped under the
porte cochere of dwelling. The door
of the house opened, and 3. matronly
woman came out, put her arm about
me with a pleasant smile and led me
into the house and up into bedroom,
where she said I would spend the
night. I questioned her, but she gave
me no information, though she assured
me that no harm would come to me.
I learned something, however, from
oyerhearing a telephone message, the
instrument being fixed in the hall.
me was talking.
she's here"
A pause.
mo, III guarantee that. Not a hui
man being except those concerned
knows where she is or can track her"
s'she behaves very well, though. of
course, she's pretty badly cut up"
The man listened to something
more, then hung up the receiver and
went downstairs. A few minutes later
I heard the carriage drive away.
1 will not attempt to describe my
feelings, which were rather puzzled
than otherwise, for I was so kindly
treated that it was impossible to con-
tinue to be frightened The motherly
woman brought me a nightdress and
asked me if I'd like my supper she
had no fear of my getting out through
the window, for 1 was on the third
In the morning after breakfast
was directed to go into the library. A
gentleman was waiting for me who as
I approached regarded me with a race
on which sadness had been stamped,
but which now lighted up with kind
ness love, admiration.
Marjorie, my child, what a splendid
girl you are"
you ?" I asked.
your father"
my father is not living
HAS any one ever told you that he
is dead?'
had ever said so.
Marjorie" he continued, drawing
me to him, at am really your father.
Your mother has had you long
enough; at least it is now my turn for
awhile We shall sail this afternoon
for Europe"
was convinced that he was really
nv father both by his bearing toward
a
temporized with him, neither asserting
nor dissenting. We were still talking to-
oather when several men forced their
wav into the house, and soon after my
mother drove up in a carriage. She
found me with my father. Selling her
bv the hand, I endeavored to draw her
to him. begging them to be reconciled:
impossible" said my father I
gave your mother last opportunity
more than ten years ago..
you did not" said my mother, tears
starting to her eyes. You left me
1T wrote to you that if you were con-
WINGED your suspicious Of my fidelity
were unfounded to write me within
/ given time. After that it would be too
'' The words recalled the letter had
o You wrote no such letter. You left
me to punish me for an unfounded sus-
picion, and now you have stolen my
aour child"
srdamma." said. father did write
YOU. The letter must have been placed
for you on grandma's desk. / found II
while you were away. 1t had shipped
down and got caught in the back of
'ii And so furnished the proof that
brought my dear mother and father to-
gether after their long separation, and l,
who had for eleven years been halt
orphan. have since known what it is to
have two loving parents. -
HARRIET CAWLEY.
No Doubt of It.
Chinese and Japanese are curiously
attracted to courts. They delight in
fbe afnosphere of a tribunal. The