The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-14
THE EVENING STOR Y
The Filtration of Anne.
(By Rita Kelley.)

shoes, gfrdies to match the frocks, with
suHlclent everything into the travelling
oags and Anne off to the station for the
400 train. At the last minute she
snatched from her writing desk a few
pages torn from a magazine and stuffed
them into her handbag as she hurried
down to the cab. Janet had sent her
the story a fortnight ago, and the sue
cess or failure of the weekend for her
depended upon whether or not she Wad-
ed through it before she reached Brent
WOOD. Janet had set opinions about
some things, among them her love for
conventional Anne and an overweening
desire to provide literature, much di-
verslfied by commentaries, for her best
beloved.
Anne made the train. AS she hurried
down the platform and climbed into the
car FEELING of wild good humor pos
sessed her. The old, cramping demure-
ness that savored of self consciousness
in her personality had been lost in the
excitement of the last hour. She found
nerSelf within the car with the eXhil-
arating desire to do something rash.
She didn't know what, exactly. Then
1t flashed over her. No more old ladies.
or women with children, or nice elderly
men; she shuddered at thought of the
tnnumerable times she had asked to
share their seats-no. This time she was
free from tradition. She would pick
winner! With brave determination she
gripped her bags and set out down the
aisle in quest of him.
He was at the extreme end of the car.
Big and brown, and he looked the part.
The little query was said, the alacritous
moving of bags ended and Anne sank
into the mans place by the window,
facing him, with a tiny feeling of ex-
ultatiOn
He was a winner, sure enough; hand
some, and with the most charming
manner imagina BILE. Anne dubbed him
Harvard man when he lifted his hat.
how oil zl1li rI,f full ont
She was not in the least embarrassed
by his intermittent gaze which was
timed, as only winner knows how, to
meet her vagrant glances. She knew
her hat was immeaSurably becoming
with the pink rose and soft plume
against her brownish hair; also, that
her blue fox set was the latest cry in
furs, and her gloves and boots correct.
1t occurred to her presently. however,
that she ought to convince the man of
her complete disinterestedness in
choosing him for a travelling compan-
ion.
Accordir. gly, she drew the portion of
magazine from her handbag and settled
pages of it and she knew that, provid-
ing she read leisurely, it would last I'M
til she reached Brentwood. Janet had
a third virtue, she considered, speculat-
ing sub-conscioCs:y, with eyes fixed on
the flowing landscape, over q long leok
which she had just interrupteo-were
his eyes Blown or gray or green?-oh;
Janet's virtue! Well, it was providing
literature for travelling young ladies
VINO were in danger of reverting with
out warning to embarrassing, original
self-consclousness.
Janet mad scrubbed in her bold Chi
Biography wherever an interlineatioG
was possible-fond. foolish things which
AnEe soon forgot to read in her alb
sorbtion in the story. She loved a
horse and this was a hero, handled
,, afio mob Of lover
of horses. Tears sprang to her eyes.
to be succeeded by srn;le-a low laugh
of strained intentness and pain. She
finished the story a the train whistled
for Brentwood, with an overwhelming
desire to lean over and tell the man
facing her that it was the greatest
story ever written. that she wanted
to tell him about it, that she knew he
would understand.
Carried outside herself, she leaned
forward, impulslvely her lips parted,
eyes glowing, about to speak Presto!
Her mind sprang like a trap-and she
bent over her bags, instead, embarrass-
eddy preparing to flee. She gave him
the f1eetest of glances as she rose, ana
he looked steadily at her While a sus-
picion of cmile-appreciative ana
the story with her, but, suddenly fol-
lowing an impulse, she dropped it as
thing of no value upon the seat.
Janet Fair was in a state of woe.
The lion of the house party had not
materialized. Frantic telephoning ana
wires disclosed the fact that he had
left town for Silox-next station be-
yond Brentwood-on the 4:50 train
country place stood midway between
the two stations used impartially by
the Fair guests, and coupe had met
both stations, one bringing Anne Hallf-
well from Brentwood, the last woman
guest.
drawing Anne out into the chill moon
light on the little balcony Put this
gown is so sheer and lovely-and |
promise me- If he becomes manifest |
alive or dead, that you will smile upon |
him
self ?" laughed Anne.
cant. Never sees me. Told me.
confidentially, that he adored the |
svelte, dreamy girl made of repose
and inner reserves and handed
him over to you. You'll have to take
him bodily, for Gladys Whitcomb has
sharpened up her teeth and nails
ready to spring and drag him off
But, Janet" protested Anne.
never went in for a man in my life
I couldn't do tits so dead common
I'd hate myself"
s'I'm a deep-dyed villain!" growled
Janet, striking an attitude. You
blessed lamb, don't know your pro-
c1V1IlGS. INdCh Yum AAeAA'G 80
simple and good reason why l sent
YOU a belated invitation, why 1 ex-
pected Aubrey Churchill on the 1850
train, why
'W-was-?
Anne started in CONSERVATION, lost
her balance against the low railing
and was Keeling backward, when
strong arms caught her and set her
rpon her feet. Then a travelling bag
vas flung upon the balcony, and,
emerging from the shrubbery beneath,
a man vaulted beside the girls
my lady of the story" he said,
smiling whimsicaIly upon Anne, who,
after one swift look, was trying vain
-. IL, Il La.a1. q |