The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-18
The EVENING STORY
A Broken Vow.
.Rv lame Indlnm IL,

"Shall I put this gray dress in the
trunk, Alice, or do you think it will be
too thin?"
This remark was addressed to a dis
consulate looking girl who sat huddled
up in a big armchair at the window,
day-dreaming. Her dark, red-brown
hair had not been combed, and her
dress consisted of a pink silk wrapper
carelessfy tied around the waist. No an
swer was forthcoming to the question.
Alice, do you hear me?"
Yes-that is, no, auntie-that is, I
don't care. don't want any clothes"
BUT, my child, you can't go to a
motel without clothes: Come, you must
help me with the packing. I'll attend to
the body Of the trunk and you pack the
tray
Alice moved leisurely from her cor
ner and languidly threw some trifes in
the trunk. She went over to her desk
ana scratched off a hasty note while
her aunt finished her part of the pack
ing Finally the task was finished and
she did, putting the key in her purse.
Ihank you, auntie, I'll be ready
promptly at e. and ask Mary to mail
this letter, please"
AT about the same hour Willard Kean
was walking the floor of his handsome
bachelor apartment in fashionable dis
trict Of the city.
I'm be darned If it was my fault, and
just sulk it out and I'll leave town
where I'll not be tempted. Perry,
Perry! he called. and little Japanese
servant appeared.
trunk, will you? I'm off for few days
at Hot Springs. You know what I'll
need-dress suit, dinner coat and few
toys for loafing on the piazza. And.
Perry, be quick about it, for I'm going
on the first train OUT
Perry began his task, bobbing in
and out of the room, his arms laden
with linen, fancy vests. suits. etc.
When the packing was finished he
asked for the key.
''I'll lock it, replied his master.
you call a cab. That train leaves
about o'clock. and if miss it there
will be just one less Jap in this town
tomorrow"
Kean walked to the mantelpiece,
picked up something, threw it in the
| trunk and locked the latter. He
caught the o'clock train and settled
himself in his section.
Alice and her aunt made the same
train, and were soon comfortably fixed
in the stateroom of the adjoining car.
Orders were given that meals should
be served to them there, while Kean
ate in the regular diner.
After a half hour of absolute
silence, auntie opened the converse
ton.
alice. dear, you must pull yourself
only man in the world. We really
cannot afford this trip, and you must
try to get some benefit from it. Hot
Springs is full of young people, and
simply cannot have you going about
with that long face"
ST didn't want to take the trip. I
didn't want anything except to be let
alone. I don't want to get any benefit,
and I simply will not try to be pleas
ant to anybody, so there now"
Auntie dropped the conversation for
a time more propittous. The next day
brought them to Hot Springs, where
they got off and drove to the hotel
The clerk assigned them to room,
and they asked that their trunks be
sent up at once. Two trunks were
SOON delivered, and Alice stopped to
unlock hers. The key went in rather
hard. it turned harder, but finally it
gave to the strength of her hand. She
opened the lid and her own photo
graph stared her in the face.
''Auntie. did you put that picture in
here?"
Certainly not, my dear. Why
should 1? Besides I have none like
that"
"Auntie, this is most peculiar. This
is not my trunk at all. Why. see, it's
all mistake except the picture.
There's no mistake about that. It's
mine all right enough. But what is 1t
doing in strange mans trunk"
Maybe he did. auntie; but look on
the back. To the dearest sweetheart
gave to Billy just after we were en-
gagged. The owner of this trunk is a
common thief, and I'll report him to
the hotel management. Help me fix
my hair. auntfe. I am going right to
the office and have this matter adjusted
at ONCE"
Kean dropped off the car at Hot |
Springs, sauntered up to the hotel and |
went to his room, where he lit his pipe |
and began walking the floor. A knock |
at the door interrupted his thoughts |
and he opened it to let in the men with |
his trunk.
That's not my trunk, you mutton
head! Get out Of here with it."
Marked with your name. sir. on the
tag. Just try your key and see If you
are sure it's wrong"
Kean took out his keyring, all the
while talking as he fitted the key in the
lock:
headed Mick, don't a man know his
own baggage? What is thfs-a hotel |
or a batty house? Holy Moses" he
exclaimed as the key fitted and the
trunk opened upon a large photograph
of himself in a leather frame.
"All right, boys. my mistake" he
added, as he handed each man dollar
bill.
Left alone he picked up the photo
graph and walked with 1t to the win.
dow, pinched himself to see If he was
alive, then laughed, then swore. Ex-
aiming the trunk he realized it was
not his, as he had no use for silk petit
coats and lingerie dresses.
'I'n keep this photo, all right, all
right, but the lady can have her
trunk" he unused, as he made his way
to the office. The clerk smiled as he
made the complaint
Come right with me, will you. Mr..
Kean? A lady just came down from