The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-25
HE EVENING STORY
Locating MfS. Porter.
(By Carl Wiiliams.)

otOPPSA OCalAA4Sp OQt EOTlcT
in his easy, placid tones:
You see, am pretty comfortably
nxed now, and it Is high time i looked
about me. l think shall take va
cation and go to the mountains.
ought to find some one up there who
should suit me well enough to be Mrs
Porter. And so I won't be around
again. I leave tomorrow night"
He rose heavily to his feet. and Eda
sprang to get his hat, forcing to mel
lips the smile that masked but poorly
the quivering OF her mouth. For three
years she had loved John Porter. FOL
nearly that length of time she mao
thought also that he loved her.
"Good-by, and good luck" she said
as he passed through the door. GU
Will let me know when your quest mas
succeeded, won't you?"
ITO be sure" he agreed rake
care of yourself and don't get sick.
He patted the slender hand that still
lay within his own and turned 10 tne
stairs. Eda watched him past the next
landing, and then stepped INTO the
apartment that had been her nome
ever since she had been forced to be-
come a wage-earner.
1t was tiny enough place, four
small rooms opening on a halI the SIZE
OF a soap box but 1T was neat and
homelike, and Porter loved to spend
his evenings there when other dtstrac-
tons did not offer. He was always
certain of finding Eda home and as
regularly in good humor: He could
not know at what cost she recruited
at times her tagging energy, tnat ne
might not see now haro Ine stfussie
was for her.
Now the CHEEKY place seemed dark
and lonesome, and with sobbing cry
she threw herself upon the sofa ana
gave vent to the grief within her soul.
John Porter had never been demon
stratiye man, but she had not dreamed
that his calls were merely because he
liked to spend a restful evening in her
homelike apartment.
Now he had gone in search of a wife
and she should lead her life alone.
Long ago the time for making new
friends had passed.
Somehow during the next two weeks
she managed to keep up her work
while always the dull ache was IN her
heart and the soft color faded from
her cheeks and the slender hands be-
came more slender. Porter had not
written. He never was much of
hand at letter writing, and she did not
know where he had gone. Then came
the telegram that seemed to wiring her
heart afresh.
be home this evening and will call to
tell you about it,"
So his quest had been successful.
Eda signed the book and stood star
ing after the departing messenger.
wondering what impulse had led her
to tip the lad a quarter for bringing
her bad news. Womanlike she seldom
tipped. but some impulse had led her
to give the boy the money and even in
the first new access of her grief she
had wondered at her liberality.
Late in the afternoon Eda reused
herself to make the little flat present
able. 1t would probably be the last
lime that Porter would ever come. She
could not receive calls from an en-
gagged man. She wanted him to re-
the place at its best
It was very inviting room that Por-
Ter entered that evening. The Morris
chair was drawn close to the window,
and his ;.sh tray was beside it on the
Tie shaded lamp sent out a
soft glow that did not suggest heat as
Sid the gas. and Eda. in her daintiest
gown, sat by the other window. Por-
,er looked about him with pleasure.
"rhis seems like home" he sighed,
only want bigger place. this is so
my. It's different from hotel room
wen at a hotel where you are supposed
% get the best. They can't make the
'ooms SEEM homelike."
where did you go?" she asked.
tAl! over he replied with a laugh.
I was regular Wandering Jew"
Surely you did not expect to ind
your ideal on the porch of the first
1idCo you T0BlSl0TeQ, she SuRR6SIeQ.
What is worth having is worth look
ng for"
Don't know" he admitted. 1.-THE
rouble is that you don't have to look
hard enough sometimes. Then you are
ipt not to see it. I went to Chenille
irst. They have the athletic girl there.
There was golf tournament on and
every girl was walking about with a
OF of sticks. Some of them were for
hitting the ball and the rest they called
men. though they were mostly pretty
Door apologies"
minded. Porter shook his head.
81 think he said slowly, that /
could catalogue every variety of sum-
ner girl there is, and there are lots of
hem-about as many sorts of summer
girls as there are girls"
And which kind did you select ~
he asked quietly.
Il went from there to Ridge Park"
le went on, ignoring her question.
There was no golf there. 1t was
mostly horseback riding. The women
we're rather more attractive, but I
Iidn't like them and hit out for the
eashore."
''And there you found a mermaid ?,'
Ter voice was light, but she gripped
he arms of her chair nervousiy. She
wanted to get 1t over with. Then she
ould congratulate him, and he would
% away and leave her alone.
"She's not a mermaid" he answered.
Somehow 1 never did fancy ner-
maids. They are rather moist com
anions, and being part fish thew ara
pt to be cold-blooded creatures. / |
i'd not find he ron the shore. 1 found |
er up in my own room one night"
I'm your room? Not a Chamber
aaid ?'' cried Eda in horror.
Porter laughed. There was a bovtsb
ing to the laugh that she had never
card before.
''She is not a chambermaid. he as
ured gravely. 81 was all alone. II
Tas one Of those hot nights that come
ate in the season. could not slean |
0 lighted a cigar and sat by the
yindow watching the sea-
Moonlight and solitude ara dao1ar