The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-31
The EVENING STORY
Wolf or sheen?
(By ]. Ludlum Lee.)

There was a run on the Lion Ma
tlonal bank. and depositors were
standang.in line hour after hour wait
ING tneir turn to withdraw their
deiiberation that was maddening.
Some days only half a dozen people
would be paid off. but still the line
increased, hoping against hope. For
TWO days and nights the figure of a
young girl had been noticed. She was
| slowly working her way to the front.
| AT 2:45 p. m. on the third day she
was admitted to the bank, and with
drew her entire account.
To avoid confusion. depositors were
ADMITTED at one door and passed out
| through a side entrance. and as she
emerged from the latter, she cast q
| hurried glance about her. She gave
| sigh of relief when she saw that she
was quite alone and apparently un-
noticed. Then suddenly a tall man
appeared in the doorway behind her.
Lillian Burkhart trembled as she
clutched the roll OF bills. her teeth
chartered, the color faded from her
cheeks and she was conscious that her
hands trembled visibly. The man
looked at her sharply, stepped forward
and asked If he could be of service to
her.
you seem to be in troubled Can 1
do anything for you?' he asked with
some concern.
you can go away" she managed
to answer
The man calmly proceeded to but
ton his heavy ulster, slipped his hand
in the pocket thereof and pulled out
on slowly. His tall, broad shoulders
were surmounted by a handsome
clear-cut face, his whole appearance
was faultless. He glanced concern
edly at Lillian, whose color had not
yet returned. and who seemed to
frn fro 70
Really, I feel that 1 must call for
assistance. Will you have a cab or
a doctor? It would be nothing short
of brutal to leave you here shivering
like that. Are you Ill or simply cold?
I insist upon knowing"
Lillian was forced to look at him
again, and it seemed to give her cour-
age to speak.
Were you ever hungry" she muir
INJURED, as she took a f1rmer hold on
the bills.
Eyes, indeed" said her companion.
"But never with that amount of
money in my grasp"
Lillian started with a sudden jerk
at the mention of her money and
dropped the entire roll Of bills. He
stopped to pick it up, and after one
wild shrek she called distractedly:
''Stop thief! Stop, 1 say!"
The crowd was massed in front of
the bank, and the cry seemed to have
the bills, despite her exclamation, and
handed them to her. Lillian laughed
a sickly little gurgle, saying:
Perhaps you're not thief after all
are your"
mo. I'm not! Are your" suggested
the man. 81 am merely one of the
many depositors trying to get a few
dollars, but you were more fortunate
than I-when I reached the window
the cashier pulled it down, saying 1t
was o'clock and too late to draw.
Better put that wad out Of sight and
not tempt the hySter1cal mop OUTSIDE,
he added.
"That's what wanted to do, but you
won't go away and let me. A woman
don't have pockets all over her clothes
like a man, and oh! wish you would
go, for I'm so hungry and want to get
home I've stood in that line for nearly
three DAYS to get money for the lanu-
lord. Myl but I hate that mani" she
with a shrug OF her pretty
shoulders.
"WelI, I'll be on my way, and be sure
YOU tuck is safely away In Its hiding
place I'll promise not to look back
He laughed and turned on down the
street.
Lillian hurriedly slipped the bills In
the bosom of her gown, and nervously
started in the opposite direction, toward
her little home. Her mother met ner
at the door and after some hot luncheon
b1es.
.sBut mother, we have the money and
that old Shylock can be paid. III take
L around to him myself In the morning
and just tell him what think of him."
said Lillian with some satisfaction and |
!, threatening information of her voice.
The next morning, about 10 o'clock, |
she started for the landlords office, and |
rs she passed the long line waiting at |
he hank she thought how fortunate |
G.
hat no more depositors would be paid.
Arriving at the offices of Payne &
Payne on Main street, she entered the
mug little reception room and asked
or Mr.. Payne.
(Which one, ma ann" asked the ONCE
10Y at the door.
tsWhy, the one who owns our house,
he cross one," she added by way of
urther explanation.
The boy seemed to know which man
he wanted and disappeared in the In
Ter office He returned in few min
ties saying that she might go right In,
shered her to the door and closed it
fter her.
once inside Lillian, blushing to the
cots of her red-brown hair, found her
elf confronted by the man who had Of
cred his assistance the day before.
II am looking for Mr.. Payne" she
managed to humble.
"I am Mr.. Payne" said he, as he ]
roffered her a chair beside his desk.
Also among my employees I have the {
equation of being the cross member
f the firm. You see father is very old
nd apt to be easygoing as to the OBJ
arvance to rules. What can I do for
on, Miss Burkhart?"
at came to pay my rent. Your agent
aid If it wasn't paid today he would
Ispossess us. You see we had money
the bank, but it was tied up and he J
ouIdn't wait. He said NThems my '
rders' Here is the money-will you
i've me a receipt. please?" s
"I never authorized any agent to say t
lat, Miss Burkhart, and I tell you
hat 1 wish you would do. Just put I
lat money back in that mysterious t
ocket of yours and pay the rent when
is perfectly convenient. 1 promise n