The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-06
THE EVENING STORY
AI's Fair in Love.
(By Constance Darcy Mack

On the veranda of trim cottage
facing the sea, Robert Aldrich, tall,
fair-haired and athletic, sat and
glowered at Miss Hildegarde Farney.
while the latter put up a small, sun
Drowned hand to hide a yawn.
The night before she had driven ten
miles across the country to the little
town of Brantly, where she had wit
messed performance in the town hall
given by a band of strolling players as
splrltedly as poor scenery and cos
TUNES would allow, and she had been
idly dilating to Aldrich on the actors
of the piece, the too bombastic
tragedian, the amusingly ingenious
comedian. and the little soubrette who
looked like a piece of Dresden china.
Aidrich listened with a frown.
don't care if your aunt did
chaperon you," he burst out, what 1
object to is the fact that you went
with Percy Graham at all. Every one
knows he's a cad
Bobby
What right has he to come down
mere and butt in like this! It just
shows what an Internal bounder he
iSi''
He's only been here three days."
murmured Miss Farney.
yet hes managed to monopolize
most Of them. See here, HiIdeearde.
square?" -e INC game
Square ?"
Before he came you'd almost
promised to marry me-
Almost, but not quite"
ON, ifldegarde,' Aldrich eroaned.
We've had such jolly times to-
sether all summer. and now" He
ground his heel against the porch
ran. Hang me if I can see his at
fractions! He's as stupid as an owl,
a Ci crr,i Zoo
Robert"
When H1ldegrade Farney spoke in
that tone 1t was time to stop. But
the thought that was uppermost in
Doth their minds, though unexpressed.
was the fact that Percy Graham was
the owner of three millions In these
days of large fortunes, it was not an
astounding sum, yet to Aldrich 1t
ioomed large as mountain, He
knew that Hildegarde was what he
phrased straight stuff" and that
this latest caprice of hers might NOT
last the week out
sun, as even the faintest possibility
OF losing her gave his heart a ter
rlnc wrench, and since Hildegarde's
aunt, Miss Norris. looked on Percy
Iraham with an eye of worldly wis
dom as well as critical appraisement.
1t behooved young Aldrich to see to
his laurels, and he knew it.
Percy Graham had money and an alb
normal supply of cheek; Aldrich had
pralns and pluck, and an income from
portions that he did not hesitate to ask
Miss Farney to share it with him.
That Hildegarde should really care
TOT Fercy Graham was an idea too pre-
posterous to be countenanced;b but alast
there was no sure way of following the
labyrinths Of the feminine mind. AL
drtch Strengthened suddenly, and look
ed at Hildegarde
Il was a beast just now" he said.
quickly What I said Of Graham is
true, but it's not my business to run
MIN down. II you want a good time.
go ahead. Only-just remember. once
In a while. what chums we've been,
won't your And AIdrich swung him.
self over the porch rail, and smiled
back at her as he took his way to the
hotel farther down the beach where he
was spending his vacation
AS he walked he caught sight of
Percy Graham's automobile racing over
the smooth sand at the edge of the surf
line: AS he had turned back to look at
Hildegarde, so now he glanced over his
shoulder at the speeding car, only in
this case his lips opened, not to smile.
but to give vent to a volcanic word of
one syllable.
Two afternoons later as he went
path that led to Hildegarde's cottage.
she hailed him from the porch where
she and Percy Graham were sitting.
Why, Bobby" she cried, where have
you been hermfting this perfect age?"
1--WE just been asking Miss Farney
about you," drawled Percy Graham
Aldrich glared at him cheerfully.
Thanks. Always glad to have my
friends inquire. All, good afternoon,
Miss Norris as Hildegarde's aunt ap-
peared in the doorway, while behind |
her appeared the face Of a pretty Irish |
servant. Miss Norris looked unusually |
perturbed. THAT red-haired boy from |
the village grocery store has been
frightening Mary Ellen with absurd |
tales of band Of gypsies.''
"Gypsies! Where?" Hildegarde's face
was alight with interest.
AT the back of the pine woods" fall |
tered Mary Ellen. "'Tis kidnapers they
are. and it's at night they prowl, Thorn |
as says!"
when did they Gomez demanded
"'Twas this morning the terrible /
creatures pitched their tents. Thomas
saw them"
Trust Thomas for seeing anything
in a radius of 20 miles," sighed Miss
Norris. .'Oh. Hildegrade, you're not
We're all going, aunty,'' cried Hide
garde, Gin Mr.. Graham's car
"'Tis flying in the face of evil for
tune they are" walled Mary Ellen, "and
it's myself that will lock up all the
doors and sit close by Julia, the cook.
till they come back again.
The road to the gypsy camp Law
an undulat1ng bit of country.
Pines grew on either hand, casting
twilight gloom, deep, cool, impenetra-
ble Hidden brooks tinkled over moss
and pebbles. Bird songs sounded
the stiffness as clearly sweet
as silver flutes.
Suddenly a turn Of the road brought
the gypsy camp into view-some three
Or four tents pitched in a meadow
against a background Of birch and f1r
In the foreground by a huge black
.auldron sat a weather-beaten hae her
black mantle falling about her in
yitchlike folds, her piercing eyes eaz-
ng out from under a shag of grizzly