The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-12
The EVENING STORY
BeuIah,s Engagement.
(By Anne Heilman.,

Pldee the butler had put before him.
ne had no more idea of the food the
plate contained than he had of the
proper fork to eat it with.
ieI me your object in wanting this
SecIetaryshlp, Fackerel,'' suggested
MS guests dilemma. why you, with
Almost unlimited wealth at your COM
puzzles me-"
Am very well off?" queried Fack-
erei, You know money just means
hs ures 10 $12 per week bank clerk.
GU are better off than this young
ROBSON, who wants a secretary. He's
also a client of mine.'
"What?" exclaimed Fackerel excit-
edly. TIT is incredible!"
Inc judge smiled reassuringly.
Enough Delmas had known his old
friends nephew but two or three days,
ne had taken a fancy to the boy
Ned Fackerel was about twenty-five,
We'll set up, broad-shouldered fellow,
with fresh. unlined face. which
made him look younger than he was.
He had a well-shaped head, with
steady, deep-set eyes and square jaw.
Wen, judge" went on the boy In
come into this money the papers have
been printing columns about me and
my wealth. I'm besieged by reporters
and deluged with congratulations and
invitations from people I never heard
Of I'd like to drop out of sight for
while until 1 learn the ropes. you
know, and I can't travel very far be-
cause you'll need me to sign papers
now and again. And I should like to
try being a rich mans secretary so
that I could see a little life from the
inside.
"It will not do you any harm" said
the judge, "and the experience may do
You good
secretary recommended by the judge,
and as F'ackerel was quick and adapt
able he had little trouble. He accom-
panied the young millionaire to his
great country house, where Hobson
expected to entertain in lavish fashion,
with the assistance of an amiable,
pleasure-loving aunt.
One morning after a nights carousal
with some congenial friends, Hobson
sent peremptory summons for his
secretary.
1.-THE Warnings are coming today
he announced. ct nearly forgot all
about it. You'll have to go to the sta
ton, Fackerel. I'm hanged If 1 feel
up to it, and some one must meet her
ajesty."
tary rather stiffly. Hobson's way of
speaking of women did not coincide
with FackereTs ideas. and the youth
always grew especially ruffied at Hob
sons careless mention of the girl he
expected to marry.
Fackerel had never seen Beulah
Warning. When he arrived at the sta
ton, to find the train in and a num-
Der of people looking about expect
antly, he was puzzled. He was max
ing his way across the platform when
he saw a tall, sunbrowned girl COM
ing toward him. AS she stepped aside
quickly to avoid being run down by a
truckload of trunks, the bag, slipped
from her shoulder and she tripped
over it, falling straight into Fackerel's |
arms.
ooh, I hope you aren't hurti" he ex-
so fervently that she smiled
at him.
mot a bit, thank you" she replied. |
Can you tell me whether Mr.. Hob
sons trap Is here?"
''I can indeed" he answered, picking |
up the bag. ct drove it over to meet
Miss Warning"
IT am Beulah Warning. And-you?"
she inquired in a rather imperious
way
ct am Mr. Hobson's secretary" |
stammered Fackerel.
"The others are coming on a later I
rain hurried on for a round of golf !
before luncheon, as knew the Greers |
and Denisons were already here" she |
explained as Fackerel assisted her into |
he trap.
The coming of Beulah Waring was
IN event in Ned Fackerels life. With
he single mindedness of a thoroughly
sincere and unworldly man he fell in
ove with her, deeply and for all time. |
Beulah was honestly unconscious of it,
though she might have known it had
she stopped to reason out his thought
sulness for her, his gentle air of pro-
lection and Difference, and his deep,
silent delight in her society. She was
not in any way self-conscious and love |
had never touched her.
Her distaste for her approaching |
marriage was absorbing her mind to |
he exclusion of all else. Hobson was
he only one who understood the sit |
Iation, and he found vast amount of |
1uiet, cynical amusement in it. He |
;aid nothing to Beula1h, whose engage |
nent to him had been the fruition of |
scheming mothers work. because he
expected her to allow him great lati- |
ude in his own affairs.
On the night of Beulah's birthday
here was a dinner at the house. While |
was in progress Fackerel was strid- |
ne up and down a secluded path on |
he lawn having 1t out with himself.
He knew at last Just where he stood |
md how he felt toward Beulah; and |
lie determined. rightly or wrongly, |
hat she should know something of his |
ceilings for her.
After a time he grew calmer. Look
ng up he saw Beulah coming straight |
O him over the lawn, her white gown |
-leaming against the dark background
# the trees.
"You haven't even congratulated
ne. Mr.. Fackerel.' she began. land
low my birthday is nearly over"
.'I've been hoping all day for the
Miss Waring. II want to
reg you to accept this in remembrance
f some one to whom you have been
cry kind"
He held out to her a small square
OK. and she took 1t wonderingly
How nice of you-why Mr.. Fack-
reli" she exclaimed. as she opened the
OK and saw the exquisite pendant of
iamonds, "how perfectly beautiful,
nd how good Of you. but
but what?" he asked as she paused
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