The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-28
THE EVENING STORY
Pensioned for Life.
(By Jennie Lee.)

(By Jennie Lee.)
If you pull my hair again, Louise,
III discharge you without a moments
notice." snapped the lovely Sibyl Stew
dressing her mistress head.
Miss Sibyl is very cross" suggested
the maid in meek reply, as she went
on with her thankless task.
well. you'd be cross, too. If -"
Shall 1 dress the hair high or low
this morning, miss?' interrupted
Louise.
The ugliest way possible" said Sibyl
sharply. Make me so ugly that no
man will ever look at me-do You un-
derstand?' she continued. IT hate
men,"
curls regardless of her mistress direc-
tons. For time nothing was said.
Sibyl was decidedly moody. and it was
the maid who again started the con-
versation.
Miss sibyl, what is a good looking
giass7"
why. Louise, you are stupid not to
know that. A good looking-glass is a
mirror which tells no lies. Now. with
the men-they are not so responsible
they do not always tell the truth, but
you can depend on a good looking
glass to be brutaily frank: But why
do you ask?' inquired Sibyl.
well, I have here a letter from
mysterious stranger, who asks me to
meet him at the Pine Grove. He says
that I am a good NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
does he mean, Miss Sibyl?"
He doubtless says you are a good
looking lass-that is a girl" Sibyl ex-
planned. But let me see the letter"
From the pocket Of her dainty apron
Louise drew forth the note. Sibyi read
it through. hesitated a moment and
then turned to her maid.
T.
place. I don't want you to be deceived.
as have been. Mr.. Judson has proven
false, and" tiny tear found it's
way on sibyrs cheek.
So it was arranged that the seasons
belle. sibyl Stevenson. strolled down
near the edge of the lake in the early
evening to meet the man who had
paid court to her maid. The trees,
shaken by the breezes. cast freakish
shadows on the ground, and Sibyl was
not altogether comfortable.
She was eager to meet this youth
who was trifiing with the affections OF
her maid and give him a piece OF her
| mind. She had not long to wait, how
| ever, before the tall figure Of a man
| came down the winding path.
With long swinging strides he ap-
preached, stopped a moment as IL to
| make quite sure of-something, she
knew not what. Then, to her great
| surprise, he turned quickly and dis
appeared.
| Sibyl waited until she felt it was no
longer safe for her to be out alone
and returned to the hotel to tell her
| maid of the strange occurrence. They
discussed the problem, and both de-
| cided that the gorgeous gown worn by
Miss Stevenson did not look like the
simple grooming of her maid. This
fact had probably frightened the man
away.
The next evening Sibyl, dressed in a
plain black frock with white collar
and a dropping hat. awaited the mys-
FERROUS Romeo whom Louise had no.
titled by note to be there at a certain
| hour. 80 -1Ei.s - e. -,
Again the tall figure swung down
the road, a SLOUGH hat pulled down
well over his eyes.
rs that you, Louise ?" he whisper
ed.
Sibyl started to scream-then she
leaned against a friendly pine tree,
and in a weak voice, claimed the iden-
tity.
"Is she wiser" asked the man.
"Is who wiser" reiterated Sibyl, her
voice still trembling.
| "Why. Miss Stevenson, your mis-
| tress," stammered her companion.
Don't stand there like a mummy,
you stupid bit of French humanity
speak up and tell me has she forgiven
me, and have you arranged a
| He got no further in his inquiries.
Sibyl picked UP her little black skirt
and ran for home. Once she was safe
| ly closeted with Louise, she felt vague
~ that the echo of a mans hearty
laughter had followed her flight
| Louise" began Sibyl in a most ma
tron-like tone, what do you mean by
flirting with Mr.. Judson-now, do not
interrupt me. for it was Mr.. Judson
who met me-"
| "Mr. Judson! Impossible!" cried the
astonished Louise.
mo other" emphatically assured
Sibyl. "Those things may be all right
! in France, Louise, but no nice Ameri-
can girl will
| A knock at the door interrupted the
| end Of her sentence. A gentleman was
waiting to see Miss Stevenson. The
hall boy did not know his name Sibyl
to one of her Paris creations. and
went to meet her caller.
| She glanced into the public parlor,
but he was not in sight. Upon IN
curry she learned that her guest was
waiting on the corner of the piazza for
her. She went to meet him, and Har-
nv Judson put forth his hand as she
came toward him in the dim light
| "Sibyl, you must hear me-" Judson
| "My dear Mr. Judson," said StbyI
with singing sarcasm. that is just
the trouble, I've heard too much from
you already"
"Now. please listen The train was
late night before last, we were derail-
ed lust the other side of the draw, and
I couldn't very we'll swim all the way
here, could II"
els that all you have to say?" In
quired Sibyl. but the tone OF ner
| voice was a bit softer.
| Except that I love you and
and my maid as well, I suppose.
| finished Sibyl.
"Don't bee a foolish girl, dear. You
have a prize in Louise. If you'll prom
Use not to discharge her, I'll tell you q
| x-ov T.orrfeo who arranged