The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-14
THE EVENING STORY
Seeking the Cause.
6Ry Richard Barker sha1.

pOrrant letters to his stenoRranher
glanced abstractedly at the handful of
mail the office boy laid on the desk
before him. Among the envelopes he
caught sight of one that he hurriedly
separated from its fellows, and. with
quickening pulses, glanced at the su-
prescription in a firm, familiar hand.
Er-just minute, Miss Stone"
said he. opening the envelope and
drawing out its contents.
me stenographer sat tapping her
'pencI upon the pad in her lap, while
Renwick, his brows suddenly pucker-
he held in a hand that was rather un-
steady. The epistIe ran:
Dear Bobby-It is impossible
impossible; mistake from the very
beginning. We can't-we mustn't; I
am AFRAID, and terribly wretched I
see 1T in the right light. 1 only know
that our plans are very, very foolish
again.
I'VE are sailing this afternoon on
the Avonia for two months on the
continent. Please forgive me. and
above all things do not write to me.
Yours, EIJNOR"
For moment Bobby sat like a
man stunned by some crushing blow,
his eyes staring straight ahead and
the letter crumpled in his hand. Then
suddenly he swung about to his desk
swung his chair so violently that
the stenographer jumped nervously
and dropped her pencil
she picked 1T up hurrfedly, smooth
ed the paper of the pad and turned
alertly to Renwick as If expecting him
to continue the ,dictation. But Bob
by RenWick was rummaging through
the pigeon holes of the desk, throw
ing things right and left in a veritable
frenzy of haste. The stenographer
looked at him with a puzzled frown.
Ordinarily he was the caImest of NOR
tails, and this unaccountable furry of
his upset all her preconceived ideas
of the man.
THE letter was taking. Mr.. Rem
wick" she suggested tentatively.
Letter." Bobby repeated, letter?
Oh, yes. Never mind it now Morse
will finish 'em up Tell him I say for
him to look after the matter as best
he can; and say, send Hardin in. will
you. please. Send him in Immediately,
if you will"
The stenographer, her bewilderment
increased perceptibly, hurried into the
outer office to deliver the message. A
moment later Harding pushed
through the door of Renwick's pri-
vate office and stood staring at the
man before the desk.
Bobby, old boy. what's up?" he
asked anxiously. whats wrong
"Eh?" said Bobby without looking
up. Say. what time does the Avonia
sail this afternoon? Do you know"
He shot out the question in a fash
ion that seemed to hint that If the
man before him was unable to an
swer the question it might go hard
with him.
-Four o'clock, believe said
Harding.
Renwick glanced at the clock on
the wall and jumped to his feet so
quickly that his desk overturned
with a crash.
-Four o'clock" Bobby fairly howl
ed. Don't tell me that! It's ten min
utes of four now! Say, something's
got to be donel Send Jim down for
cab. Tell him if it isn't at the curb
by the time I get down his life won't
be worth three cents.''
Harding gave one perturbed glance
at his partner, started to demonstrate,
thought better of it and tumbled
headlong through the door, believing
Justify for the office boy. Bobby,
caught up his hat and his
overcoat, tore through the other Of
flee and sped down the long corridor
toward the elevator At his heels.
painting and sadly disturbed, came
Harding.
"Say, what's the row anyway" he
demanded Where are you going in
all this rush, Bobby"
The elevator came whirring up.
Bobby jumped into it.
Don't know yet where 1 may
land" he called as the descent began.
Europe. maybe"
The cab Jim had summoned was just
drawing up to the curb as Renwick
rushed from the building.
"Pier 49," he beloved at the cabby
as he tumbled in. Let the beast out.
I'll make it well worth your while"
They reached the pier after a mad
yallop. On the wharf was a scatter
ing crowd. and out in the stream the
Avonia was making her way majestic
ally toward the bay. Bobby groaned.
Then his eyes fell on a tug moored to
the wharf. Thither he sped. A few
words to the red-faced man leaning
BUT of her pilot house window; a dis
play of greenbacks on Bobby's part
and the latter leaped aboard and the
tug went speeding after the departing
liner.
Down the bay went the liner, and
litter her at full speed raced the tug,
up a great connection in her
wake.
AS they neared the Avonia the tugs
whistle began 10 scream; the liners
viii stIe answered with deep-rhroated
orays. Closer drew the tug and over
he liners side was dropped the dang
ing length of the Jacobs ladder at
he top of which a crowd of excited
passengers watched the oncoming tug.
Presently they were alongside. Rem
wick caught the ladder and scrambled
p to the liners deck.
Good work." big man, who had
oeen leaning excitedly over the rail
declared heartily as Bobby reached the
Avonia's deck.
Bobby said nothing. He caught sight
If a pretty girl on the outskirts of the
Watching group, Ind in a most deter
,.ined fashion made his way straight
o her side. Her lips were parted; a
e autifal color was in her cheeks.
Bobby lifted his hat, said something
% her in a low voice and in a master
Jul fashion. lead her away.
No other word passed between them
-utiI they found a quiet nook to them
,eIves far aft. Then the girl turned to