The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-28
THE EVENING STORY
Advertising for an Angel.

hurried after the girl, but during that
moment in which he stopped to pick the
Jewel from the floor of the ferry boat
she was swept away in the press of
passengers.
He was certain that this particular
girl had dropped the trinket, for he had
left the ferry boat behind her. and he
had heard the tinkle of the locket as
it struck the planks.
Cranston was decidedly interested in
her. Once before he had seen her in a
street car, and she had haunted his
memory for days On this occasion she
had completed her conquest, and it was
a man very much in love who had fol-
lowed her from the boat in the hope
that something might occur to enable
him to speak to her.
He might save her from being run
down in the traffic, or she might slip,
or any one of a hundred things might
happen which would break the ice of
convention and permit Cranston to take
the plunge into unconventionality.
And now something had happened,
but to his dismay Cranston found that
it did not profit him greatly, though
perhaps in the long run it might. The
locket was of gold, plainly chased, and
of no very great intrinsic value, but still
il might be valued for its associations.
Cranston opened the case and was dis
mayed to find there the picture of two
small children
1t was just such a locket as a young
matron might wear. and Cranston re-
garded the pictures dolorously. The girl
did not suggest matron, yet why else
should she carry with her the pictures
of two little children?
His hopes rose again when, in answer
to his advertisement, he received a letter
from Miss Eunice Remson, giving a de-
tailed description of the locket and Of
fering payment for the advertisement
and suitable reward.
Cranston performed a solemn dance,
emblematic of joy, as he blissfully re-
garded the Miss" written in parep-
thesis At least he was not in love
with married woman.
He made all haste to reach the Rem
son home, and as he sat in the recep-
ton room, waiting for Miss Remson, he
trembled with anticipation. By this
himself at the feet of Miss Remson
when she entered and criy: BE mine!
Be miner like the hero in a novel.
He was glad when Miss Remson en-
tered that he had checked his impulse,
for she proved to be a sweet-faced lady
of perhaps fifty.
"You have brought the locket? ?" she
asked, as she motioned him to a seat.
II am very much indebted to you"
But are you the owner" he demand
ed. II should like the pleasure of CIV
ing it to the owner
Unfortunately that is impossible"
was the quiet reply. Mrs. Weymer
left for her home in the west last
Mrs. Weymer" Cranston's spirits
sank again. After all, she was married.
The children of the locket were her
babies. After the hopes raised by the
signature of Miss Remson' the phrase
Mrs. Weymer" seemed doublv cruel
Mrs. Weymer is my niece explain
ed Miss Remson. Here are pictures o
my little grandnieces from which the
presume that you Will regard this as
sufficient proof of ownership"
1T is entirely satisfactory" stam-
mered Cranston as he delivered to the
he had built such hopes. Don't speak
of a reward he added, as he saw she
was opening her purse. THE adVertise-
ments cost only trif1e.
"But it was in every paper" re-
minded Miss Remson. 1--WE sent for
all the papers at least, and then,
through curiosity, we looked through
them all.'
ston vaguely. After the nature of the
reward for which he had hoped, mere
money recompense seemed mockery.
He had advertised to find the girl of
his heart, not to return the locket. II
was absurd that Miss Remson should
be made to pay for this dash into the
realms of romance
She was still regarding him with
in the hall, and at Miss Remson's call
of "Miliicent," the girl of the ferry trip
entered the room.
There could be no mistake, and
Cranston could only spring to his feet
tonishment. which made him look re-
marha bly, foolish.
This is Mr.. Cranston who found the
locket," explained Miss Remson. my
niece, Mfllicent," she AIDED in explana-
ton to Cranston. ''Miss Dutton is
doubly under obligations to you.' she
added, "since she was wearing the
Iocket when it was lost
"I thought 1t was yours" declared
Cranston, finding his tongue at last. "I
ran after you and searched the crowd.
but you seemed to have vanished into
thin air.
'I missed 1t and went back on the
boat to look for it," she explained. ''It
was mothers 1ocket, and sister Belle
never would have forgiven me if it had
been lost. She didn't know was wear
ing it,"
'T am very glad that found it,
murmured Cranston, and there was a
world of meaning in his tones.
Mr.. Cranston refuses to let me pay
the cost of the advertising or to ac-
cept any recompense for his lost time
interrupted Miss Remson. "I don't
know what to do.''
ct do cried the girl gaily "Since he
scorns filthy lucre. he shall have tea
instead. It's tea time, auntie, and
need cup after all that shopping for
Belle I've walked miles and miles
tnoruBH tHe stores II must De ter
rible to be married, and have to shop |
for babies who need such a multitude
Of things
And as she spoke she laid aside her
hat and rang the bell for the servant |
Cranston detested tea at any time, but |
most of all in the afternoon, yet he !
drank two cups very slowly, that 1t |
might last the longer. |
At last even the excuse of tea was |
exhausted and reluctantly he rose to |
leave. Vainly he had sought to learn
Of some common friend who might /
vouch for him. but he had not succeed |
ed and with laggard steps he turned |
toward the door. Miss Remson's voice |
arrested his movement.
Eve been wondering if you can be