The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-04
THE EVENING STORY
Fair Means or Foul.
lRv Lane LaeA

| 10y Jane A6e.I
There may have been a time when
the rain came down in greater quanti-
| ties. but certainly not within the
| memory of the shoppers on Broadway
one day early in February.
| Some few. without the saving grace
| of faith, had almost persuaded them
| selves that a second flood was imInf-
| nent. while others pIodded through
| the slushy rivers in cutters too wide
| to be jumped, with no feeling save
dumb misery.
| The wind blew with such velocity
that it was impossible to hold an UNI
brel1a, and broken ones had been
thrown into the cutters. giving the
appearance of fleet Of black ships
as they whirled and finally stopped at
| the corner sewer. Women who were
| forced by circumstances to be out
| held their skirts down with one hand
and took firm grip on their hats
| with the other.
Among the few stragglers the
| policeman noticed the figure of a
| eral times. now peering over the curb
as if Fascinated by the ebb and flow
| Of the stream.
Her clothes were OF a good cut and
material. Her curly locks were much
bedraggled, and tiny green stream
was running down one cheek, thanks
to the combination of rain and green
ribbon upon her hat. The man in
uniform and brass buttons stepped to
her side as she hesitated at g. rather
| perilous crossing.
bad day, miss" said he. as he
offered to help her across the street.
bad? I should say it was! And
| in more ways than one! You see. I
| have lost my purse, and I am visiting
| in Bayvflle. I have not even money
planned the girl. as she looked up
help1eSsly at the policeman.
| He eyed her suspiciously. To his
ears such stories were not uncom-
| mon.
That's good story. all right
! Sure it's true, are your" he said.
Just then the tall figure of a man,
| with his hat pulled down we'll over
| his eyes passed them. The girl
frightened as she saw him.
"Oh! call that man; please do" she
cried. as the tall figure strobe on.
| Hes from Bayville, too"
The policeman ran over and
touched the man on the shoulder.
Lady over there wants you, SIR"
| The man glanced back. and then,
with one agile leap across the gut
| ter, he was at her side.
miss Merrill-can it be you? What
on earth are you doing out in this
pouring rain?'' The questions fell
thick and fast and without pause for
answer. LET US step into this drug
store and do tell me what I can do
| for you
They entered the store and a friend
| ly clerk offered them chairs; then he
politely retired to the rear of the
| store.
Helen Merrill tried to adjust a
stray lock and turned her blue eyes
| to meet her companions interested
gaze.
cit was awfully good Of you to say
you knew me. That policeman was
| h. h
/ having seen me in uncle's trap"
GLOW could I fail to see you?"
| unused the man, and the girl blushed
| as she resumed her story. ff.s
ST came in town to do some shop
ping, and I've lost my purse. 1t was
could not foresee this awful wind
and rain storm. I dropped my purse
as was crossing the street, and
| though I've looked ana looked the
whole length Of that dirty gutter, I
| cannot find It," she explained to him.
He offered no response. He was ap-
parently lost in studying the depths
| of the blue eyes before him. ooh,
| won't you send me back home, Mr..
| Marshall? know Uncle Joe will con-
slider it neighborly courtesy"
Clayton Marshall smiled and
glanced at his watch.
'I am awfu1ly sorry to hear about
your plight. Miss Merrill. and Of
course I will take you home at once.
We have just time to catch the 2:3o
rather have a bite to eat first"
| Eat" she cried. 81 feel like a.
drowned rat and must look like one.
No restaurant would admit me. Hun
cry as I am. I fear that home is the
she continued, "if you viii put me on
the train 1t will be quite sufficient.
Surely your office is not closed SO
early"
Marshall protested and finally won
the day.. He called hanson and to-
gether they took the train for Bay
Vile. They telephoned in advance and
the family carriage was at the depot
to meet Helen.
Uncle John can thank you better
than T." she said as they parted.
Think SOP" asked Marshall. And
then they both laughed.
The leading papers the next morn
ing contained large and conspicuous
advertisement: Lost a gold mesh
purse, containing bills, gold pencil
and family Communication ticket be-
eral reward If returned to Miss Helen
Merrill, Bayville, New York"
Helen Merrill was visiting in one
of those richly appointed suburban
| homes now frequently seen on the
outskirts of a large city.
Her Uncle John, retired stock
broker and bachelor, hated town life
and lived in Bayville the year round.
He loved to have his pretty niece visit
him, while she was eager to leave her
simple southern home and be his
guest for weeks at a time, though her
uncle was a vigorous chaperon.
The doorbell rang several times
during the day. but the finder OF the
purse did not appear until late that
evening, though Helen listened eager
ly for the coveted summons.
About O'Clock a maid announced
to Miss Merrill that a young man had
called, saying he had found a purse
and would like her to Identify it.
Helen ran down the stairs, delighted