The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-12
THE EVENING STORY
A Matrimonial Importation.
(By Jennie Ludlum Lee.)

Are you one of those horrid
men?" a rather tired voice inquired.
Scott turned and smiled at the girl
beside him.
well, I certainly am a man." he
about as horrid as most of my sex"
ooh. I didn't meant beg your
pardon" stammered the girl. 81
meant were you a customs officer
He scanned the girls face closely.
Could she be up to the old game of
smuggling More than one official
had been tricked by a pair of honest
eyes. and Scott had just acknowl-
edged that he was but a mere man.
The girl certainly had a fascinating
personality. Scott informed her that
he was not customs official, but Of
fered to be of any assistance to her.
"Oh, thank you so much" she ex-
claimed as she hurriedly glanced
about her "I want cab to take
me to that address, and she handed
him visiting card. mo one has met
me, and, oh, must get away before
he comes off the boat
az understand" assured Scott.
though in reality he did not. Want
to shake some undesirable ship-board
| acquaintance %
tits not exactly that-he's a dear,
but-oh. If you will just get me
cab, that will solve the whole prob
lem.'
A cabnan was found who agreed
to take the girl to her destination
the door upon his mysterious COM
panion, she leaned forward through
the window.
won't you tell me your name. and
I'll have my uncle write and thank
your" she inquired.
He drew a card from his wallet and
presented it to her. Aloud she read
the address in trembling voice: "Mr.
Earle Cowdrey Scott, Harlequin
Club"
Wont you write. instead ?" Earle
suggested, but the disinterested cab
man whipped UP his horse and her
answer was lost.
Scott now hurriedly returned to
the ship and boarded her. He had
no difficulty in finding his father, who
was always among the last to leave
ship. His son. knowing this, had
not FASTENED to find him. After the
first greetings. the old gentleman
slapped his son affectionately upon
the shoulder,
''Weu, my boy, I've brought you
fine present this year-a rare prize"
Then glancing about the ship and the
crowd below them, he added, but
think the little mink has slipped
on"
That evening as father and son sat
chatting over their coffee and cigars,
the old gentleman announced:
''Well, Earle. I brought q wife
home for -you-come over in the ship
with me-"
Earle seemed somewhat startled.
MAY I ask. dad. if you have mar
ried again, or is this matrimonial i'm
portation for me, to take unto my
self?"
around there tonight. Here's where
she is. Her uncle, old John Banks, is
a great friend of mine.''
He passed the card over to Earle.
The latter had held the mate to it in
the morning. Smiling to himself,
Earle agreed, thinking that the mys-
terious girl was well worth knowing
better. All day long innumerable
pictures Of her had fitted through
his mind. He would be glad to know
When father and son were an
nounced, John Banks and his niece
entered the room full of hearty
greetings, but the young couple gave
no outward sign of recognition. Be,
fore long the two elder men found
that comfort awaited them in the Ii
brary in the form of duplicate whist
and good cigars.
Earle noted taht Edith Hamilton
! was somewhat i'll at ease. but made
little Roadway in solving the problem
that evening. When he ieft the home,
however, he had to acknowledge to
himself that the girl was charming
in the extreme. He asked permission
to call again.
land, by the way, Miss Hamilton.
I don't have to drag father along
every time. do II" he asked in mock
Difference.
On the way home That evening. the
father went into something of an ex-
PLANTATION.
There's an old-fasnioned girl for
you, Earle. Like your mother was
as girl. Nothing deceitful about
her-right in the open-everything
a lot about you on the "Trip over. and
told her she was just the type Of
girl you were looking for-that we
needed her sort to round out our
home. She's been in school for
years over in France. and now has
come to keep house for Banks. How
did she strike you?"
"As most deceitful, deep young
person" announced Earle with great
emphasis. Yet in his heart he really
felt that the apparent deceit only
added to her charms.
Earle became frequent visitor at
the Banks household. He had the
name of a heartless bachelor among
had made little impression on him,
but he had to acknowledge to him
self that he loved this girl with all
his power-and his power was a
great one ne wanted n6rs anu
would leave no stone unturned to win
her. And the evening came when he
told her of his love and asked her to
be his wife.
.'Oh, I wish you had not asked me,
Mr.. Scott couldn't-reaI1y I could
not" was her insistent plea. "Just
let's go on being friends"
The big man seemed to shiver. He
was very much in earnest, but he
took her refusal like the man he
was.