The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-20
THE EVENING STORY

(By Frank Clifton.)

Perhaps l might get IN the second
cabin" suggested Madge, with sud
den accession of hope. The agent
There are more persons going back
second cabin than there are VINO want
hrsts," he explained. You see lots OF
have enough for the second cabin on
the way home. Some Of them discount
their return ticket for the little extra
money they can get that way. u
course some one might decide NOT 20
go at the last moment, but there are
1877 applications in ahead OF yours ana
there would have to be 1873 passengers
not going before 1 could fix you up
on that boat"
But the next she persisted.
"Just as bad, il not worse am
afraid that 1 shah not be able to book
you before the end of next month"
With sigh Madge turned away
from the counter. She had fingered on
in Europe after the rest of her origi-
nal party had returned She had
joined the Worthingtons after that, but
now they were starting Tor the ME
trip, and 1t was important that she
should get home: There had oeen no
hope of obtaining passage on the
French and Hamburg liners, and she
had run over to London supposing
that there would be a better opportun-
ity.
But everywhere the same story was
told The rush of westbound traffic
was unexpectedly heavy and there
would be no chance for state room
for weeks to come. Aunt Clara was
fretting at the delay, her father had
written her that he was not we'll and
he wished her to return at once. and
yet they would probably be forced 70
remain in London for five or six weeks
Madge always thought better When
she walked, SO she dismissed her cab
and started to walk back to the Cecil
The busy London streets quickened her
thoughts, but these only served TO
show how unpleasant was her situa-
ton 1t was very blue face that
crossed Tom Manning's line of vision
Miss Howard" he cried, starting
forward. This is indeed a surprise. l
had supposed that you returned long
ago" ..,..
why, we are rnarooned here. We can
not get a berth for love or money"
''If misery loves company you have
lots of it," he laughed. Let's go and and
up a little. I'll telephone Mrs. Two
Madge NODDED gratefully. She had al
ways liked Tom Manning, and they
turned their steps toward the Carleton.
She waited while he went of to tele-
phone her aunt.
He ordered a capital lunch, for he
had a rare sense OF gastronomic pro-
portions, and she really enjoyed the
DAINTY meal, LnOQEn SHE caught
self wondering how much more glad
she would have been had it been Frank
Roper, whom she had encountered He
was a business man. where Tom was
a mere society butterfly. Frank couid
have found some way of getting out of
her trouble Tom was only a mo-
mentary diversion.
Almost as though in answer to her
question Roper entered the dining
room and came toward them. His
RI
to Mannings rather boyish pose, and
vet, somehow, she did not feel so glad
to see him as she had been to greet
Tom.
lie took a seat at their table in re-
Spouse to Mannings invitation and lis
tened gravely to her recital OF her
troubles.
4 regret that cannot be of assist
ance" he said, when she had con-
cluded. II made every endeavor yes
terday to arrange similar matter for
the relatives of some business friends,
and the case is hopeless. Even the
freighters are booked far ahead-
."Then you are marooned, too" she
4 never permit such a situation he
said, complacently. My interests are
too large to admit of a delay. My room
was booked before came over. am
going day after tomorrow"
Il guess we exiles shall have to char
ter a steamer" laughed Manning. II
you are done, Miss Howard, shall We
go?"
how Roper's attitude Of complacent
satisfaction was positively hateful. She
had always liked him before. Down
in her heart of hearts she had vacil-
lated between the two men ever since
he. coming out ball. Her preference
had been for Roper until now, but at
present Toms mercurial temperament
suited her mood better, and she was
glad that she had met him first.
.'Since Frank has refused the re-
quest. may I take it up?" he asked, as
they parted at the hotel. Il may be
able to sandbag some unwary tourist
and take his stateroom from him.
IF you only could!' she cried, I'm
pulsiyely. Father is in poor health,
and 1 am so anxious to get home to
aCan you sail at once?" he asked.
"I'd like to go this minute" she
"consider it DONE" he said, with
mock dramatics. II will work the
sandbag persuasion this very day"
Madge went upstairs oddly COM
forted by the assurance, though her
sense told her that Manning could not
succeed where Roper with his inf1u
ence had failed.
It was with misgiving that she
opened the note he sent her that even
ing. but a delighted cry escaped her
when a ticket fell out She let 1t fiut-
ter to the floor when she read the let
ter. 1t ram
Dear Miss Howard:
II am called out of town, and am
mailing these to you. You can fix 1t
UP when 1 see you in New York. Hop
ing you will have a pleasant passage,
with regards to your aunt and your
self. THE SANDBAGGER."
Roper called that evening to explain
that he had heard of a berth that she
might obtain four weeks later, and
seemed much relieved to find that she
had been provided for.
IT should have offered you my
room" he said, had it not been that
it was imperative that 1 should be in
town next week. We shall be fellow
passengers"
Madge could not arouse great en-