The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-11
THE EVENING STORY
Dolhe and the Maneater,
(By Colin s CollinsN


(By Colin s Collins)
Il can't help 1t because 1 am rich,
can II"
Paul vinton spoke of his wealth as
though it were a thing accursed. Dol
lie Darcy shook her head with judicial
solemnity.
81 don't suppose that you can" she
admitted. "At the same time, Paul,
you cannot blame me for taking an
interest in people who do things?"
| such as waiting on table?" retort-
ed Vinton. Il don't see anything to
job like that
But he is college man." reminded
Dollte. Just fancy a student SO anx-
ious to learn that he will wait on table
in a hotel to gain the funds for his
tuition!"
HE would do we'll to go to a gram
| mar school first" growled Vinton. He
waited on me this morning and when
asked for eggs he told me that the
eggs isn't very fresh That's good
grammar for a college student. and
| then his slang Is something weird"
George AIDE uses slang" cited Dol
| lie defensively. I'm sure that no one
| ever accused Mr.. AIDE of being COM
mon"
Because he keeps his slang for his
books and plays" reminded vinton.
Dollie checked the sharp speech
that sprang to her lips and hurried
| down the piazza steps to Join bespec-
| tacled youth who appeared around the
| corner of the hotel.
| He was not an inviting sort of a per-
| son. One ear was considerably larger
than the other, and an aggressive chin
| belied mildness Of appearance due to
| the large-lensed spectacles he wore.
His hands and feet were large and un-
| mana geable, and his clothes fitted him
| as though they had been made for a
n hui
| The Hotel Breeze had solved the
servant problem by employing college
students as walters. 1t had become
fashionable to take an interest in these
| struggling aspirants for learning, and
Dollie Darcy was nothing If not fash
| ionable. Even though it threatened
| break with Paul Vinton-whom she
expected to marry some day-she in
| sisted on having her student to be in
terested in.
Dollie had picked out Brady as the
| favored one, for the reason that he
seemed the most forlorn and desolate
one In the lot. There was something al
most pathetic to her in the idea of this
man who maltreated the English Ian
guage so brutally seeking a higher
education, and she found his PERSONAL
ity interesting and at times amusing.
There were other times when the
| man bored her sadly. but she would
not confess that she found him tire
some lest Paul SnOulQ MINK the VIC
tory lay with him.
Every evening when the tables had
been cleared and the dining room put
in order Brady would slip down to the
beach and walk or sit with Dollie.
while Vinton sat on the piazza and VOW
ed that he would leave the place for
some better resort where the walters
were not the fad Of the moment.
He never went, for on second
thoughts he told himself 1t would be
better to stay on and look after Dollie.
She must tire of her fad presently and
perhaps on the rebound he might in
duce her to say the coveted YES"
Dismally Vinton realized that the
waiting game was bound to be long
one, and CHANGING upon Dollie, wait
ing on the sands for her waiter
protege, Paul was moved to reopen
his argument.
Following an unusually hot day, the
humidity Of an approaching storm de-
prived the sufferers of the relief of the
night breezes. Dollie was tired and
an argument. Both raised their voices
slightly above the pitch Of good breed
| ing and Brady, coming upon them
suddenly, gathered that there had
been a dispute.
HAS this guy been unbuttonin' his
lip?' he demanded of Dollie.
Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it
was the memory Of some of the things
| that vinton had said. At any rate.
, there was a barely perceptible pause
! before Dollie languidly responded:
HE has been very annoying.
am glad you have come" she said.
Brady picked up a pebble and
tossed it down the beach.
go after it, he urged. You
| amt wanted here. Bo. Notify your
IT presume you are trying to urge
me to go away" suggested Vinton
coldly.
you've got a fine presumer," COM
mended Brady. Gear II up ittie
1T am grateful for your advice"
said Vinton, with sarcasm that ap-
peared to be lost upon the other, but
It is not my intention to take myself
OF until Miss Darcy signifies to me
that my presence here is unwelcome."
you heard her say that you made
her tired" reminded Brady. BE a
nice little boy, 30. and go play in the
next yard. There's a fine cellar door
there Go slide down it"
Vinton looked inQuiringly at Dollie.
but she made no sign. Brady was
displaying a new phase of his many
sided character. and she found 1t
rather interesting. Vinton, too. puz-
zled her, and she wanted to see what
he would do.
She had not long to wait, for, with
a final appeal to take walk before
his feet hurt him and he couldn't,
Brady advanced toward his antagon-
list.
Short and sharp was the encounter.
Brady struck first and Vinton, moth
ing loath, responded IN both men
the primal instinct was aroused and
they fought for the favor of a woman
as men in the stone age fought
For the moment Vinton forgot Dol
lies presence; forgot everything ex-
cept his desire to avenge the blow.
Brady had slipped off his glasses
at the first sign of trouble and he
was somewhat at q Disadvantages. but
for all that he had the best of the
fight. though vinton had taken box