The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-27
THE EVENING STORY
Elinor's Afternoon OF.
(By Cecily Allen.)


(By Cecily Allen.)
1t was the proud boast OF Mr.. and
Mrs. James Regain that their flower
like daughter, Elinor, had never set
foot in that plebeian vehicle, a trolley
car.
To be sure, there had been a time
when James Regain would have well
coined the chance to drive one of the
good, old-fashioned street cars, but
those days belonged in the dark ages
of Regan family history, along with
the momentous Sunday when that
same f1ower-like daughter had been
christened plain Mary Ellen.
Today, thanks to a pocket of gold
in the Sierras. and a few lucky specu-
lations made possible by those some
glittering pockets, the fair Elinor had
at her disposal a variety of private
vehicles, from a tiny electric run
about to a sixty horse power touring
car; from a smart trap on their Long
Island estate. to a correctly equipped
victoria for her daily drive in Central
park.
The men who were glad to ride be-
side the girl in motor car or trap
were equally glad to acknowledge
their friendship with the blunt,
shrewd Irish capitalist. for though the
newest of the newly rich. they were
not of them.
A strain of royal blood had surely
filtered through the dark ages of
Regain family history, for both gener-
atoms took to the newly-found luxury
as ducks had taken to the mud-holeS
behind their cabin in the Sierras.
From the moment they had come
east Elinor had been surrounded by
irreproachable governesses, compan-
ions and chaperons. Her comings
and goings had always been attended
And there had been times. when.
watching other girls fit fearlessly and
unattended from ferry to trolley car,
she had felt an odd twinge of envy.
Something OF life she had missed,
and this something was vaguely rep
resented by the trolleys in which she
had never ridden, the city streets on
which she never set foot unattended.
Even more vague was her feeling that
somehow her doting father had not
quite played fair with her about
Reginald Schuyler.
marry into one Of the old Knicker-
booker families. Schuyler always let
her realize this fact. He allowed his
blue blood. which showed little enough
in his pallid face and deep-ringed
eyes, to do his wooing.
The other mamie was like them
selves. new as to wealth, fresh and
vigorous in every vein-he might have
been so different II given half a
chance. Sometimes she wanted to
please her father. And neither of the
two men in the case nor her father
dreamed of the vague unrest in the
girls heart.
All this to explain why Elinor Re-
gan's eyes fairly danced when she
stepped from the door Of the ferry
house and reviewed the long line OF
public vehicles. Belden, the pune
tilious, was nowhere in sight.
Elinor's companion, Miss Greenleaf.
was young but keenly alive to her
duties and very anxious to retain her
pleasant and lucrative position.
Something must have happened. I
am sure I worded the telegram very
carefully. Shall I call a hanson or
an electric cab?"
Elinor shook her head.
1--WE heard you can get smallpox
riding in public vehicles. Don't they
| use them for funerals and that sort of
| thing?"
She was watching her compaion
from the tail Of her eye and wonder
| ing Just how far she might go.
Miss Greenleaf looked worried.
Perhaps I had best telephone to
the house."
"Oh, no." interrupted Elinor quick
ly. 1--WE can reach home by trolley
while they are sending down the car
| for u.s.
Miss Greenleaf hesitated-and was
| lost A few seconds later she was
swept. golf clubs and bags, into a
| crosstown car. It was crowded with
suburban women bound for the shop
ping district. E1inor swung blithely
| from a strap and enjoyed Miss Green
leafs discontinue.
"If Mr.. Regan ever hears OF this,
| thought the worried companion And
| lust then they alighted to change cars.
Evidently there was a delay far down
| the street, for the two women stood
| concentrates on the corner. and then
Elinor spied q drug store whose win
dows were filled with garish advertise
ments. beyond which doomed a soda
| fountain. Miss Greenleaf never knew
just how it happened. but she found
herself. feebly protesting, before
| mahogany topped table which
white-coated boy mopped up with
/ damp cloth
chocolate ice cream soda for both
| OF u.s." was Elinor's calm order. Now.
| don't scold, dear" she added to her
] companion. Even our maids have an