The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-30
THE EVENING STORY
A Lady In Waiting.
(By Virginia Blair.)

(By Virginia Blair.)
Inez, having disposed of her sab4es
in corner of the dark settee. took
off her gloves, and, leaning her ell
bows on the table,, surveyed the tea
room
Girls" she said suddenly, "w,n you
Iook,'
Her three companions turned their
Hexquisitely coiffured heads with q
jerk.
"Of all things" they CALCULATED. and
their amazed eyes met.
1T is Charlotte" they exclaimed in
a second breath.
AS if some echo of their words had
reached the waitress at a table across
the room. she turned, and, with per-
fectiy immovable face gazed on them
But oeep down in her eyes was a
sparkle Of mischievous recognition.
Presently she came to take their or
der.
Charlotte Stetson," Inez began but
the wsitress leaned over in pretense of
brushing away the crumbs. Hush,
she warned. Nobody knows me. This
is supposed to be a dark Disguise.
and she was away before they could
answer her.
She brought the soup and chops and
salad and sweets, and they, too inter-
ested to eat, watched the perfection
OF her service as she filled glasses.
carried trays, placed doilies. made out
the check, and pocketed triumphantly
the tip which Inez maliciously left on
the mahogany.
where in the world did she learn
| to do 1t ?" Inez demanded as the door
| of the tearoom closed behind them
| and they made their way to their mo-
| tor.
Charlotte always could do things"
Margaret said But why. why is she
doing it-waiting on tables in a tea
room"
Perhaps she has lost her money"
Maize Wight suggested.
Lost nothing" Inez said, elegantly.
| '.why, she can't lose 1t. Dad told us
| only the other night that nobody made
! such safe investments as her father
| had done"
manded, and they shook their heads
But the next day they were back
again in the tearoom at one o'clock.
Charlotte! You've got to tell us!"
Inez said to the expert waitress. why
are you doing such a thing?"
| Charlotte planted the menu card in
front of her friend. 81 can recommend
the stuffed crabs, Madame she said
| in a mincing tone.
Away she went, to come back pres
entity with flaming cheeks. "Inez,
Inez," she breathed, Reginald Barrett
! is lust coming in. If he asks you about
me- tell him I have lost all OF my
money. and am earning my living this
| way"
| "Ah-ah," Inez said, mathematical
| Nv. NOW I know what you are up to-.
| Then, as a dapper little man. with an
upturned blonde mustache stood in
| the doorway, she whispered, "1'l help
you OUT
| Reginald came over at once.
| "Can YOU make room for five at
your table ?'' he asked Inez. His eyes
| fell on the trim waitress. He gasped.
| ssWhy-why-" and as Charlotte
whisked herself away. he turned to
| like Charlotte Stetson."
| SIT is Charlotte Inez's tone was
luglibrious Poor thing.
'Why /" Reginald demanded. why
| poor thing
work"
tone was dismayed. 81 had under
stood that her money was absolutely
safe" He stopped. Ter, OF course
| it is very sad"
| crabs received an illuminating look
"Can- I serve you?" she asked Regi-
nald demurely, and he stammered
"Oh, yes. I'm. sincerely sorry 10 mo
Iyou-here-Miss Stetson-"
| "Please don't talk about it" Char
,o+te,s ewes were clouded-and her
tone of distress seemed so genuine
| that Inez stared.
The girls delayed long over the
lunch. and Reginald delayed with
| them, uncomfortabiy watching Char
lotte as she deity made the tables
ready for afternoon tea
The room was almost deserted, ex-
cept for the five. when through the
| doorway came big, broad-shouldered
i figure. Charlotte, who was bringing
ing in finger bowls, saw him flrst ano
her tray dropped with a crash Her
face was white as she bent to pick UP
| the little brass bowls; her dress was
[ wet: her crisp apron was bedraggled
AS the big man sprang to assist her
she fled from the room. And then the
big man walked over to Inez ana de-
| rnapded: What was Charlotte doine
in that dress?"
"Oh. Dick!" Inez stretched out her
hand in welcome "Dick Wentworth
when did you get back from Arizo-
YESTERDAY" he, told her, tersely;
"but want to know what Cnariore
is waiting in a tearoom Tor
Inez glanced at the girls, at Regi-
Maid. and then she brought out, brave
Iy: "She is earning her living
She expected an expression or sym
pathy, of coincidence. but instead the
big mans face was radiant. "Charlotte
noort, he exclaimed. "Oh, where is
| she? ?"
st will find her" Inez promised
sand take home with me-" and
n ehe went in search of Charlotte whom
, she discovered red-cheeked and wet
eyed In a little room adjoining.
ooh Inez," she gasped, when she
saw her friend. What does Dick
wentworth think of me?"
sTbinlf" Inez told her. "Why, he
looked radiant when I said that you
were poor"
ON Charlotte's face dawned an ex-
pression of bliss that puzzled 1nez.
!, "What has come over you, Cnar-
; lotto p" she demanded. "You look as
If life suddenly were one sweet song.
!. "Well," Charlotte blushed as she
told it, at begins to look as IL the
] x,,-- hin had haer nQr-