The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-16
THE EVENING STOR Y
Below Stairs.
(By Will A. Page.)

| Evans, the butler, was 1nduStr1OuSly
reading the newspaper out loud. On
the other side of the kitchen table,
Mortimer, the coachman, was mend
ing his whip.
THE daring robbers then bundled
up their booty and decamped," the
pompous butler read very loudly,
leaving the detective officers baf1ed
without a clue. AS there was no evil
dence that the doors had been forced
| or locks tempered with, the detectives
were at first inclined to suspect the
| servants; but, as Mr.. Walcott declared
he had the utmost faith in them, the
police were not allowed to search their
rooms
| Mortimer, oblivious of the newspa-
per item, did not reply when Evans
stopped reading, as though expecting
some comment.
| II say. Mortimer. old chap, that isn't
such bad haul, is it? The paper says
they got away with $4,000 worth of
silver"
Bad haul?" queried Mortimer.
What are you talking about?"
Talking about?" repeated Evans.
disguised. why. what else should
be talking about but the big robbery
| down the street at old man Walcott'S
| house ?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you
were reading anything of Importance"
81 should say it was of Importance.
that naturally places us in an awkward
position
What do you mean?''
Aren't we all servants? And if
one of the fashionable families takes
up fad. don't all the other fashion
able families follow suit?"
Nonsense, Evans. You're an old
FOOL
if the Walcott servants are suspected
of dishonesty, the servants of every
fashionabl family in the city will
have to clear their characters"
why, we are well known to the
missus. 1 have been with her six
years, yet you dare" and Mortimer
rose flourishing his whip.
81 don't mean you" sneered Evans.
Its Miss Charlotte who is more like
" to be suspected"
Mortimer resisted the inclination to
strike the fellow, though he was
strongly tempted. The door bell
sounding then, Evans, with a muttered
imprecation, rushed to a small mirror
hanging on the kitchen wall. primped
himself, and disappeared, bowling
deliberately to Charlotte. the maid
newly come to service, who happened
to be entering the kitchen at that par
ticular moment.
NOW, then, you stupid" broke in
Charlotte, you almost made me drop
the chinaware.''
Charlotte bowed, without speaking,
the whip with redoubled anxiety. She
busted herself at the gas stove max
ing chocolate. and neither spoke
word for several moments. Then
Evans broke in hurriedly upon them.
Its a detective he cried, rushing
across tho room toward the door
which led into the front basement, 81
seen it on the card he sent up to the
Headquarters that's what the card
said" He opened the door into the
basement.
But what does he want?" inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going to find
out, There's a furnace pipe in there
that is loose, and 1t opens right under
where the detective is sitting. 1 can
hear ever word" And he disappeared
into tho cellar.
I'm afraid Mr.. Evans is not troub-
led by scruples, Mr.. Mortimer" said
Charlotte. turning to the gas stove
again IT always thought buffers a
I'm glad you think So" began
Mortimer.
''why, Mr.. Mortimer. what do you
mean?"
"Of course. one can't be jealous of
a butler broke in Mortimer dropping
the whip.
jealous" Well, I like that" With
a toss of the head.
Perhaps shouldn't say jealous"
u.
you see, l wanted to ask you"
well ?"
eff you'd spend your next evening
out with me. unless you have some
other engaSem emit"
Next week, on Thursday?" said
Charlotte, coquettishly. mo, I don't
think I have anything on my card"
Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday. Miss Charlotte: Thanks"
Did you say it was for the grand
OPERA Mr.. MOrtimer?''
mo, Miss Charlotte. For the coach
mems ball"
Charlotte. enthusiastically. oh, how
jolly. I've always wanted to go to a
coachman's ball. It's-it's rather ex-
elusive, isn't it?'
mer, proudly "Oniy those who drive
for the west end families are eligible"
The sudden boiling over of the milk
interrupted these pleasant anticipations
dispatched post haste to the dining
room to secure some chocolate. Char
lotte, left alone, reached for her hand
kerchief and found a letter in the
pocket of her apron. Evidently she was
deeply interested, for she read and re-
read the letter several times. Then she
united the handkerchief. disclosed a
large diamond ring, and tried it on
several fingers.
"Cracky! A diamond" cried Evans,
suddenly from the cellar.
Charlotte hastily returned the ring to
her pocket.
''It's my own" she declared, 'it was
given to me by a dear old lady who has
just died.
STUFF and nonsense" broke in the |
man roughly. Its the diamond some |
one stole from the mfssus-I heard all |
about it through the stove pipe. The |
detective is looking for it now-he's !
going to search the house"
But it's mine, 1 say"
'Ah, your game is up, my girl. Give |
me the ring and won't tell. Say you'll |
marry mel can sell the diamond"
Let me go-you hurt me. Help. |
Let me co.
Perhaps you'll be good enough to |
oblige the lady" said Mortimer, strid- |
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