The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-19
The EVENING STORY
"a Smuggling Episode.r
(By Florence Newhouse 70

back in the corner of the vehicle with
heart throbbing madly and nerves at a
high tension.
Drive fast-to the Glen hotel" she
ordered the cabman.
fne driver whipped up his horses,
ana IN ten minutes drew UP before the
picturesque hotel in the woods Of
Glen Echo
girl of twenty came around the corner
of the veranda.
dot Graham she cried to the
newcomer. Can 1 believe my eyes? 1
am so glad to see you've are as dull
as rusty hoes up here since the season
closed
Come in-oh, come in quickly"
Dot exclaimed, pulling her friend into
the house hurriedly. Fan nave
been followed"
Followed?"
IAN the way from Easton-"
well" laughed Fan, you must
blame your own charming face.
Mono. it is not a vulgar irritation
1t is detective!"
Nonsense; why should detective
trembling like a leaf. Come up to my
room and tell me all about it
att all comes from buying this coat
in Canada"
your new sealskin? Um-isn't it
beauty?"
81 hate It," Dot flung the offending
article upon the sofa. Goodness only
knows what complications 1t has occa-
stoned. I wore it on the train, know
ing nothing until brother George met
me at the station in Easton. Even
then, when he told me the danger
incurred of being arrested for SNUG
Cling, 1 thought it one of his pranks-
you know George is never so happy as
when he is teasing me. But when he
insisted upon my coming up here to
al 40
came really frightened, and, with
cause. as you will admit" continued
Dot breathlessly, "for noticed man,
not i've minutes later standing near
where was waiting for the train who
seemed to be watching me. Sure
enough. he boarded the same train,
and aIighted at Glen Echo station al
most upon my heels. Fan, will you
harbor fugitive from justice?"
Dorothys woeful face was too much
for vivaciouS Fan Price; she dubbed
over with laughter.
"You are alarming yourself unneces-
sarily," she assured her friend. If the
man had been a detective he would have
you then and there"
Detectives are very shrewd people,
Dorothy distrustfully.
IT am glad you came to me. We re-
main here until the first of the month.
Father is keeping the hotel open to ac-
party of congressman who
are up for a two weeks hunt, and
mother refuses to leave him." Fan ex-
planned.
What are your congressman hunting
for?" Dot asked.
Bears" said Fan.
ct thought" and there was a mis-
chievous twinkle in Dorothy's eyes,
that they might be hunting for dears?"
In which event." twinkled Fan, you
would be obliged to flee from danger
once more"
Both girls laughed with the gladness
of youth. and for the time Dot forgot
room. where Mrs. Price, with motherly
was laying away sum-
mer clothing in large paper bags,
scented with lavender. They strolled
out under the 1eafless trees in the cold
November twilight, exchanging con-
fdenccs. and came in shivering, late to
dinner.
The congressman were all there. gath
cred around one large table, which mad
been set apart for them. AS Dorothy
came conscious of an intent gaze fixed
upon her; an irresistible something
drew her eyes toward the men-toward
one. at least, and their eyes met
The color left her face, her heart
grew sick with fear-the fear of ar
rest. To be dragged like a common
thief to prison to answer the charge
IF smugglingi The thought was I'M
beerable. She blamed the law that
made it a crime to wear ones own gar
ments into ones own country.
Slipping into her seat she leaned
toward Fan with a shuddering whis-
Der: HE is here! The one with short.
pointed beard. Don't look-and don't
ELI YOUR father or mother
Fan glared in the direction of the
singled out the vandyke,
which at that moment was obvious of
her critical scrutiny in an interested
discussion of venison, and whispered
back:
bite"
But Dorothy could not see the joke;
It was an hour of agony for her. When
at last the meal was over and they
could get away, the two girls ran UP
to the safe sec1usion Of Fans room.
where they talked it over breathlessly
and in whispers.
They decided that Dorothy should
steal away under cover of darkness,
take the first train for Easton and so
make good her escape.
AS to the sealskin sack, the cause
Of so much agitation, it was secretly
slowed away in one of Mrs. Prices
lavender bags; Dot cnveloped herself
IN a borrowed cravcnette, hiding her
face behind an automobile veil.
With timid step the two conspirators
slipped down to the lower hall. They
could hear the mems voices as they
stories around the office
ire.
Just as the girls reached the lower
step. with freedom almost within reach,
he office door opened and Dots pur-
,uer stepped forth.
Pardon me, is this Miss Price?" he
asked courteously. your father said
would find you in the sitting room"
"O-er-yes." stammered Fan, trying
20 push palpitating Dorothy past him.
He seemed such a pleasant, polite de-
ective that for one reckless moment |
ran entertained the idea of appealing |
20 him in behalf of the innocent Of |
'ender, but before she could speak he |
pulled a letter from his pocket.
1T is for Miss Price, and it is from /
La or-tc ralainad L