The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-19
THE EVENING STORY


1oAAHOeAeA lSSe-k e-sAAAkAs
[By J. Ludlum Lee.1
Alice Twitchell stood In the concourse
OF the Grand Central station bemoan-
ing her fate. She had just missed the
s:45 for Greenwich. Something Cor was
1t some one?) struck her violently in
the back, and she swung round just as
a young man dashed by to the closed
gate. She was adjusting shaken pun
when the youth returned full OF apollo
gies.
to catch that 3:45 train the worst way"
he said As he mopped his brow
so did t. replied Alice with em-
phasis, "but did not think it neces-
sary to employ personal violence as
means Of catching it,"
Alice turned from the apologetic man
who stood regarding her with open ad-
miration The latter. or something
magnetic Ia his personality, added to
the thought of the two hours she had
to wait before the next train left for
Greenwich. made her hesitate.
You deserve some form of punish
ment suited to your offense," she said
with charming assumed severity.
'Oh, say, continued the man. I'm
no professional slugger. you know
just plain, everyday lawyer running
out OF town for a holiday" and he
produced his card in verfncation of the
statement. And maybe you'll be easier
when tell you that there was girl
on that train I've been trying to meet
for two years"
Alice read the name on the card.
NMr. Walter Witherspoon." Then she
smiled. He followed her into the wait
ing room. and they sat down on the
uncomfortable benches. Conversation
Of an impersonal but interesting nature
made the wait remarkably short. Once
settled in comfortable Pullman chairs
n1d froU
ions.
You see," Mr.. witherspoon was ex-
| planning, this girl / missed on the,
other train is, a peach-the prettiest
girl ever-except you"
Don't you think we might have a
window open, Mr.. Witherspoon?" Alice
interrupted. Witherspoon opened the
| window and turned the conversation
| into less personal channel
Where do you visit in Greenwich
"Oh me-that is. Lob, am going
to visit my grandmother" answered
| Alice with halting speech.
| Il bet she's a dear old lady" as
| sured Witherspoon. NOW this otner
| no relatives.
| Alice offered no Interruptions this
| time and he ratified on.
"She's an orphan, no brothers, sis
| ters, mother nor grandmother-nobOdy
| but herself. The Hardys are giving
celebration Of their wedding annivef-
| sary and they asked Miss Twitchell
| and me. And. we'll you know that all
| happy brides are matchmakers! But
| I'm Jolly glad missed her. .'cauSe-
"The next station is ours, think"
| suggested Alice.
| "By Jove, so it is,'' agreed Wither-
spoon. How time does fly in good
company! Say. there's a chap. Billy
he gets all the girls under the spell Of
| his fascination. thought II I could
Just head him off with this other girl
"Greenwich.'' shrieked the conduc-
! tor.
It was quite dark when the two left
| the train, and Wftherspoon bade re-
| luctant adieu to his companion. He
/ offered to find her carriage, but she
/ declined this asststance. Then he ask
| ed If he might know her naFae.
"Smith," said Alice. sJust Smith.
the old-fashioned spelling, you know" ;"
and she was lost in the darkness and
i the crowd.
/ -RiIly Brewster met witherspoon with
the trap, but seemed surprised to find
where's Miss Twitehell, old chap?
She didn't come up on the other train.
| said Brewster as they climbed IN the
Hanged IL / know. BILL assured
! watherspoon. And for that matter. !
| don't care-I met the most beautiful
D. / .
| takes me a lifetime Tll find her again
and marry her"
"You ought to have lived in the
| twelfth century, Walter-they carried
of the women by force In those days.
once inside the Hardy country
home the men were called to account.
where was Miss Twttchell? mrs.
Hardy expressed SO much sohcitude
that Bill Brewster offered @ 70 go go oacA
Witherspoon turned to go to his room
and change his clothes for the evening,
| when the bell rang ana Mrs. daroy
opened the door to admit, the lost
Il guest. Witherspoon caught her voice
and stood glued to the stairs.
I "Oh. I'm here all right, she sald
raiIy. Game up in a station trap.
missed the 3:45 and had to wait for
INV room and get into comfy light
frock, and then I'll tell you all
Half an hour later witherspoon re-
turned to the drawing room; HIS us COZ. s
kept pulling at 1t. Why did his vest
Keen riding up? He pulled 1t down
once. twice and then again. Pernaps
he was nervous. He stood by an open
| window smoking cigarette, trying TO
fooL nerfectly calm, when the rustic
of siIken founces made him change
color. ,
"Waiter, come here" calleo MIs.
Hardy. s'I want you to know the
dearest girl, Miss Twitchell. You've
heard us talk about her so often.
Il And as usual the woman saved tne
| day. .,a
friends" said Alice as she took his
hand and looked up into his eyes with
a merry twinkle in her own. but me
person want to meet is the invinciDie
Mr.. RilIy Brewster-safd to be world
/ an 80
The guests at Mrs. Hard's celebra-
ton which lasted until mo Mana1y ty mofh m fhe
naTtv were almost continually missing
4 from the circle. When a bridge whist