The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-20
The EVENING STORY
"Alias the Plumber.
By Olive Roberts Barton. )

my inexperience will account for the |
TACT that do not know how much-or
now nttle-to expect of my fiance / |
nave peen here at my aunt's~ for three
Gays, as l informed you in NV letter
oe1ore left home, and you have not
ence.
1T may be that expect too much of |
the man whom have promised to mar |
~, put II such is the case 1 am Salts
ned that my unreasonable demands on |
your time and attention would make us |
both miserable
Il beg to return your ring with many
thanks for the honor, also your letters.
the scarab and the set of coral YOU sent
me from Naples.
Very cordially yours,
NINA DORRINGTON."
Nina threw down her pen and walked
TO the window Of the darkening room.
The library was frigid and the girl
shlvered as she pulled aside the curtain.
1t was showing hard and the wind had
piled the feathery stuff in huge mounds,
obliterating steps and curbstones. A
small boy headed his way through the
storm. looking in vain for the numbers
on the houses.
Nina opened the door herself and call
ed him, then giving him careful direc-
lions about the package and letter, she
paid him handsomely and watched the
avenue with the remnants Of her hap
piness under his arm.
She stood an instant in the hallway,
then realizing that her chill was mostly
physical she rang for lights and went
upstairs. The door of her aunt's room
was partly open and the ruddy glow Of
the log fire tempted her to enter The
mound of shawls and rugs on the couch
in the corner indicated that the worthy
lady had not wakened from her after
noon nap.
Nina sat down on a hassock and gaz-
ed into the fire. Now that she had ia
ken such radical step doubts began
to torment her. Had she been i'm
patient? Should she have waited a little
longer? Indignation gradually gave
way to self-pity and tears rolled down
her cheeks
ter, dear. are you sick?"
She jumped up quickly and dashed
the tears from her eyes. but the room
was dark and her aunt could not see
her face
mo, indeed. Not sick, only cold, dear.
The house is like ice, and it looked so
warm and coy In here I came in to
dream for a few minutes before dress
ing for dinner"
ooh, dear, 1t must be the new furnace,
Nina! 1t has not worked properly since
your uncle had it put In. Would you
dress? There's dear. Leave word for
them to send some one the first thing
in the morning,
What Is the name of the hrm7"
Let me see! Van Norton & Hemp
hills, believe. Yes, that is it, am
sure"
"Why. that is Towards frm,'' said
Nina, unsteadily.
"Is that so? Mercy. child, that
draught is unbearablei Please hurry
and close the door,"
Hello. Is that Van Norton & Hemp
hilrs?'
Yes"
Her heart leaped: the voice was How
ards she was sure! So she had been
right after ALL He was back His only
possible excuse was nil. But he would
home.
This is the residence of Mr.. ]. Lam
bert Brown-Fiftieth street"
Every we'll I have it, thank you."
Yes. it was Howard! She could
scarcely speak.
that is to say-ohr' She shivered and
started determinedly all over again.
Hello, is that Van Norton & Hemp
hilrs?''
Eyes, this is the same place." in an
amused tone. lis there anything can
"The house is freezing; the new fur
mace is not working right at all. Please
send man the first thing in the morn
ing to fix it. I-we-I am so cold now
can hardly talk"
Hearing a subdued laugh she snapped
I'D the receiver. The idea! Then it oc-
Cured to her that he likely would not
dream it was she. There were 80 many
Browns in town; besides, she thought
bitterly, he had evidently forgotten all
about the address she had sent him.
Tho small lace handkerchief refused
to absorb any more moisture, and
great stamping in the vestibule an
nounced the arrival of her uncle. Nina
flew to the icy solitude of her room and
after doctoring her tear-stained fea-
lures with cold water and talcum. man.
aged to get into some evening clothes
plus a warm opera cfodk III tiIne Aoi
dinner.
That night she slept very little. One
minute she blamed herself for being SO
precipitate, the next she reproached
him for his seeming Indifference. She
had been so sure he would hurry to
her the minute he got her letter, but
his boat had been in three days ana
still no sign from him.
At last she fell asleep. 1t seemed to
her that she had been doing just
minute when she was awakened by
violent hammering in her room. She
sat up in bed and shivered. The win
dow pane above the shutters was still
black She reached out and switched
on the electric light. 1t was not 81
O'Clock.
Again that awful hammering, then a
raucous scraping in the direction of the
register. She made a face and covered
her ears. Then all was quiet for awhile
and Nina snuggled under the covers
All at once a metallic voice came up
through the tube from the cellar. :,
.srJow Won see O'Brien, it will all
have to come out. The underfeed is not
right" Nina sat bold upright again, her
ewes staring wildly in the darkness. 1t
was Towards voice. Then followed
few orders about valves, oraugnts an9
Gauges which she did not understand
-. hut 1t q voice she |