The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-02
THE EVENING STORY
AFvstiaed NEr. Layton.

going away again. This is the third
annual disappearance they have made,
leaving town in the spring and not re-
turning until fall Where in creation
do they go? Fred must make money
somehow; he never asks me for a cent,
and lives like a nabob during the win
ter. It's too much for me-
mr.. Layton froWned heavily as he
concluded his soliloquy. His keen mind
and indomitable win had enabled nm
to solve the difficult problems of life,
and had raised him from the plane Of
poverty to that of great wealth. Not
Wlthstanding his shrewedness, however,
ne had not been able to fathom the
secret Of his sons ways and means.
Fred Layton had finished his college
course and gained renown on the grid
iron and other athletic sports. But he
had failed utterly in his studies and
had announced his intention of marry
ing Miss Edna Morris, a pretty girl, but
decidedly poor.
But Mr.. Layton had planned that
his son should wed the daughter of his
partner, Miss Matte Walton, and thus
succeed TO great wealth and the entire
control Of an established business. This
dlfference of opinion between father
and son led to a stormy interview, dur
ing which Mr.. Layton declared that, If
Fred married Miss Morris, the parental
purse would be closed against him for
ever. With a shrug of his broad Shout
ders the young man had intimated that
he could take care of himself, and did
not propose to ask his father for fnan-
cial aid.
A month later the young people
were quietly married. They estab-
Ished themselves in a coy little fiat in
a fashionable neighborhood. They
lived Wen, dressed well, entertained
their friends and to all appearances
were prosperous.
Mr.. Layton, naturally. thought this
condition of affairs could not last, and
he smiled grimly as he thought of the
conditions he would make when his
son came to him for aid. AS the
months passed by without such an ap
peal, the old gentleman grew more
and more nyStif1ed.
He made many inquiries as to his
sons source Of revenue but only dis
covered that when Fred and his wife
returned from their summer outing
they brought back a snug sum in cash
with them Mr.. Layton scanned the
papers diligently to find out where
they went; he inquired at the pOstof1ce
for their summer address,, and even
telephoned to the owner of the fat
and Mrs. Fred Layton disappeared as
completely for a time as if the earth
had swallowed them.
The father grew restless and nerv-
Gus, his digestion became impaired,
and he went from place to place upon
the plea of regaining his health, but in
reality in the hope OF solving the mys-
terry about his son; all in vain.
Il can't stand this any longer, doc
tor" declared Mr.. Layton one day
when his physician called. It must
find out where Fred goes and what he
does. I suppose it is mere curiosity,
but I must fathom the boys secret.
I've been used to solving problems,
and can't endure failure
I'm sorry I can't he'll you, Mr.. Lay
ton" replied DR.. Brooks, 'sbut If you
don't stop this rowing about from place
TO place, eating all sorts of food, you'll
the Mont Alta House in the Alleghe-
MES, and stay a month. I was there
last year, and the table was excellent
and the air and water are life giving
THE Mont Alta" repeated Mr.. Lay
ton. i've heard Of the place, but it
didn't amount to much a few years
ago.
IT'S under a new management now
returned the doctor, land is a strictly
first-class house"
The Mont Alta House was even more
than DR.. Brooks had sid. The table
was so excellent and agreed with Mr..
Layton so well that he became robust
again. Upon one thing he resolved and
that was to secure the chef of the
house if that person could be had for
money. Accordingly he sent for the
chef.
'I would like to''-Mr. Layton stop
ped suddenly and stared hard at the
chef. Then the light Of recognition
came into his face. $50 this is the way
you make a living, you young rascal
Aren't you ashamed to DISGRACE me by
doing such work?'
mot a bit" returned Fred Layton
coolIy, taking an easy chair and sur
veying his father with an amused smile.
ut was the only thine I could do that
paid decently. My wife and I leased
the place and she looks after the up
done pretty well and expect to buy the
place this year. have an option on
it,
Suppose your fashionable friends had
seen you in your present costume what
then?' sneered the old gentleman.
well, they didn't, father Fred re-
piled; so there's no use guessing what
/ would have done. changed my name
to Lataine, however to save your pride
if I was discovered"
wen. I'm glad you had enough sense
to do that" Mr.. Layton's tone was
more pleasant. "How in the world did
you learn to cook? You do it well. I
must say"
AT home, sir The son laughed at
his fathers odd expression. You re-
member when broke my Lego Well, 1t
was pretty tiresome being. Gagged up in
the house alone, so I struck UP friend
ship with Antoine, Your French chef.
The old fellow took a fancy to me and
initiated me into his art. 1t was only
diversion to me then, but it came in
handy when started in this business"
Erred, send for your wife said Mr..
Layton abruptly.
When Mrs. Fred appeared the old
Gentleman continued: you're a pretty
1afr Of independents, aren't you?
ike your spirit and want you to stop
this business and live with me. WIN
you do it?'
s.I,lst as soon as the season closes we
viii father" they replied, "and until
then you shall stay with u.s.
(Copyright, 1905, by K. A. Whitehead
ordered on the Field.
During the practice at Yale today
friday one of the players violently