The Topeka state journal., 1906-05-07
TIE EVENING STORY
The Smoke of Decision.
by Fra1k B. Wells.I

step nearer, believing hoarsely.
Il ell you to get a move on youl
You've been obstructing travel on this
corner for a quarter Of an hour.
Now
See herer' the bundle Of obstinacy
waved the emblem Of authority into
silence I'm going to stand here till
I've finished this cigar. You might as
well rest on that
The policeman made a move for the
mans collar. I'll give you an illus
tration Of the way this city keeps its
streets navigabIer' he roared.
BondeIl smiled grimly and stepped
out OF ranFe = the policeman's mus
cular arm Suddenly h became conf
dential
"A young srrig asked my permission
to marry my daughter just q few min
utes ago, and I've sent him around the
corner on an Grand"
.'Well?''
well, if he gets back before finish
this cigar he can have the girl; if he
fails to show up IN time he doesn't get
her. That's the long and short Of it,
The policeman surveyed Bondeu with
he said. that you have rather fckle
grasp Of human destiny. What kind of
an errand cid you send this young fel
Ter on?''
Not much of anything. Just told
MIN to go down ana ask the Stlllmans
for quotations. They're gone today and
the Office is closed. It hadn't ought to
take him long to find that out"
Now see here!" exclaimed the blue
coat that amt fair If that young
man is any good he will hunt all over
the Empire State before he will come
back to you without the information
you wanted. You win have time to
grow bald-headed smoking cigars be-
fore you set your optics on him again.
That's my opinion"
You might as well go about your
business retorted Bondeu. This is
my affair, not yours. like to see
young man act promptly; and I'm
giving him this for a test He's good
enough for the most part
He Is, is he? Did you ever see
him before 2"
"Of course I have. He is one of
my clerks. I'm a broker"
oh" sighed the officer. 81 sup
posed by your actions that he was
some stranger you had picked up on
the street You are more intelligent
than I thought you were"
Now clear outi" clustered the
broker. Give me any more OF your
impudence and I'll report you"
You will. eh? Not till you've got
through with that cigar, 1 presume.
By the way, you amt puff1n' as fast as
you might, seems to me-
The officer wandered down to the
next block ruminating. At the turn
of the corner he met a young man
dashing breathlessly. along the walk.
He promptly laid a heavy hand on the
young mans shoulder.
Hold on. siri'' demanded the officer.
whats up %
Nothing nothing. Don't detain me
Pm going IN an awful hurry." strug-
gled the youth
How do you know you are?" asked
the policeman mildly.
''How do You blamed fool"
''There-none of thati I'll pull you
in threatened the officer.
'tI beg your pardon, the young man
pleaded. But you don't understand
how important It is for me to lose no
time.''
How do you know don't?"
Because@because, why there's
ner. I have an imuportant dispatch.
The man is an old crank, and I've kept
him waiting half an hour already. He'll
give me fits
solemnly declared the policeman. You
haven't got any important dispatches" >"
Il havei!' The youth glared at the
officer like wild animal.
''Then let me see EN-" the police
man demanded.
THAT is-the message is verbal, .
explained the other.
Il told you you hadn't got any dis
patches. You didn't veen see the par
ties you were ordered to see"
The young man began to turn pale.
How in thunder did you find out all
about my affairs 2' he gasped.
'I just know; that's enough assert
ed the officer grimly And know
another thing: you don't want to see
that old chap up there on the corner
''But I do; I must" protested the
youth, making an effort to tear away
from the officers grasp.
No. you don't. He sent you down
here on a fool errand. He knew that
none of the Stillmans were in the city.
You want to marry his daughter, and
he wants you to marry her But he's
got it in his head that il you didn't get
back by the time he had finished a
cigar he wouldn't give his consent. He's
got through with the cigar Now, of
course, you don't want to see him.
The youth stood wrapped in bewil-
derment. Heavens" he exclaimed at
length. What am I going to dc r.
We'll, I'll tell you, If you want me
to- replied the policeman.
Then tell me-
siE. aYes."
Does she want to marry you?''
'I-she-said she did"
"All right Do you know where she
IT do
How long would 1t take you to have
the matter Strengthened out, ceremony
performed. and all that2"
The young man calculated rapidly.
1.-Two hours would be sufficient" he
Then get about it quick; I'll tend
to the old man."
The policeman turned and sauntered
back to where Bondell was still stand
ssHave you seen your man yet?" the
officer inquired.
Not the broker thundered. HE
won't get the girl, you can bank on
sHow was he dressed p asked the
Light brown suit, blue tie, black
derby hat"
ssThen 1t was he. Great heavens
broke in the policeman.
was what? Tell me-" exclaimed
Bondell
s'He was run over by an automobile
: farn nnnir.atas ago. and taken TO the