The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-13
THE EVENING STORY
The Time Of Her Life.

Listen to this!' she exclaimed.
Eleanor Cuyler is coming to New
DIRK to- visit her aunt. and she says
she simply must see US, because she's
always wanted to visit the shores of
Bohemia
The shores of what?'' said Billy.
I'm sure there's nothing Bohemian
about us"
That's just it" walled Betty. But
Miss Cuyler doesn't see it that way
Shes daft about people who do
things and she says she's never met
any, so she begs that she may come to
dinner some night quite informally.
and be one of US. She thinks that be-
cause Kate writes, and you re an artist,
and we all live in little fat mean
apartment-that we are-weli that
we are queer and unconventional"
Who is this Eleanor Cuyler2" said
Billy With frown
shes a Philadelphia girl Kate and
] met when we were in the mountains
US IN ever so many ways, ana now II S
our turn to do something for her. It's
no use suggesting the matinee or a
luncheon. Elenor's rich as CrOesus,
and tired of all that. And there's moth
Ing else we can afford. Oh, don't see
what we're going to do" And Betty
puckered her brows in despair
Do" cried Billy. Why, it's as plain
as day. Satisfy her craving for the
unconventional. If we're not Bohenl-
itation of the real thing. We can ask
the Englishman, Harry Rcckminster-
hell add a continental flavor. And
there's Perry Eastwood, he can sing
stein songs better than anyone I ever
knew. Well get Cynthia to come and
recite, and Worthington to bring his
violin. They can pretend they're pro-
fessionals. Cynthia will be an actress
just starting on her career, and Worth
ington a struggling musician-'strug-
fe no rio nd
LET'S see-this is Monday. Write and in
Vite Miss Cuyler for Wednesday even
ing. Bohemians aren't supposed to give
much notice when they ask people to
their parties. And Billy looked over
at me and laughed. He's the dearest
brother in the world, and always comes
to the rescue when Betty and l are
hopelessly cast down.
While Betty was jubilantly writing
her note I went to explain things to
Aunt Pattie. Aunt Pattie has mother
ed US ever since we we're children, and
nothing we do ever surprises her, so she
fel lin with our plan at once. But L
couldn't be a Bohemian If I tried, she
declared. 4 wouldn't know how to
act, and I'd make you all miserable and
myself, too. You can easily excuse my
absence
but you'll miss all the fun OBJ
jected.
Aunt Patte's eyes twinlzled. ooh, 7
mean 10 DE there StlG NAAGNs k54At1C
we have no maid I'm going to serve
the dinner myself
In vain we all protested, coaxed, com
manded. Aunt Pattie was firm in in
sisting that as Miss Cuyler had never
seen her it could make no possible diff
ference. Yet somehow it did to me, for
I could imagine with what horror my
Englshman might look on such pro-
ceedings. Even after I had written to
him and explained the circumstances, 1
Tor OIL
though he didn't know it, his good opin-
ion mattered more to me than anything
else in the world 1893
All Wednesday Betty and worked
like majors. We had always ,ather
prided ourselves on the artistic ar
of our little parlor. Now, IN
order to make it look Bohemian, we |
had banked it with all the bizarre and |
startling things we could lay our hands /
on. Billy's delicate water color sketch !
es were jostled by fiamboyant posters,
theatrical photographs adorned the |
mantle and sundry pipes and ash trays |
Uttered the table. 1t certainly looked /
queer. but as Betty and 1 confessed TO /
in a gray gown, and I wore my black !
net. was Just fastening one of Harry /
Rockminster's roses in my hair when /
the bell rang
ally. Now don't act as If anything I'M /
usual were happening"
Eleanor Cuyler was enthusiastic in /
her greeting, and she was still telling |
of her Joy in seeing US when We crossed /
the threshold of the parlor At sight of /
the room she smothered little gasp, /
which showed that our work had not 1
been in vain. Then Billy came forward. /
and the loose blouse and soft tie which /
he wore for the occasion made him look /
as If he had stepped straight out OF |
the Latin Quarter. But Miss Cuyler |
wasn't any more surprised at his ap- /
pearance than he was at hers. Some
how neither Betty nor I had told him |
what a beauty Miss CuyleT was-a child |
ish little beauty with a fluff Of golden /
hair, and deep blue eyes that opened /
very wide when anything astonished /
her.
Perry Eastwood and Harry Rock |
minister came early. but there wasn't a |
sign of Cynthia and Worthington.
They're half an hour late already,
said Betty to me in an aside. What /
on earth can be keeping them2. / III !
afraid the dinner will be spoiled.
Something of our uneasiness reached /
Billy. ard he turned abruptly to Betty. |
I really think we'd better not wait |
quite late. You never can tell what may I
happen on the shores of Bohemia
But we were hardly seated before /
we heard the turn of Worthington's /
atch key. and the swish of Cynthia S /
skirt down the hall. She made a
dramatic pause at the dining room
door. and looked perfectly dazzling in
I crimson Spanish costume, glittering
with spangles.
Il hope you won't mind my coming
II costume" she said. I'VE were kept |
ate at rehearsal, and there wasn't
1me to change. 1 met Worthington
IN the stairs" she continued non
shalantly. Hell be in in a moment
He's a musician, Miss Cuyler, and you
know what uncertain hours they are
'orced to keep-especia when they
Ire young and struggling"
Cynthia moved toward her chair
With sinUous grace. She said after
wards that the Spanish costume had
entered into her blood, and she
wasn't responsible for anything she
lid. Neither was Worthington, for he
wore a peculiar. shabby black coat,
md carried his violin under his arm
But his browning glory was his hair,
" perhaps ] should saw his WIG which