The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-14
THE EVENING STORY
Arletta In Paris.

near Paris with windows overlooking
the garden, never slept, although its
mistress, Mrs. Marion Bennings, did
regularly every evening that her son
and herself spent alone.
She was nodding now over a ribbon
silken hose she had been mending.
The ormolu clock struck eleven, and
Otto, turning around, pushed a book
off to the floor. The noise awoke Mrs.
Bennings. who sat up with start and
remarked:
''I am off to bed. What a stupid
for an hour"
You couldn't" said Otto. but as she
stared at him Indignantly, he made
haste to add. Because I haven't
spoken for an hour
Mrs. Bennings got up slowly and a
letter fell from her lap. Otto fastened
You'd better read it." said his
who is tremendously rich, writes that
he is bringing his motherless daughter
to Paris. Her name is Arletta, and I
have heard she is pretty and accom-
plfshed. We must be very nice to
them, particularly to the daughter. She
is an only child
Then congratulate her, I'm an
only child, too,' remarked Otto.
Her husband will be very fortunate.
Don't you agree with meg"
"I'll withhold judgment till I see the
young lady" said her son.
Left alone, Otto resumed the writ
ing of his letter which he was to adj
dress to a certain Celeste, and reflect
ed that probably his mother was al
ready planning to marry him to Arlet-
ia, the daughter of the wealthy Mr.
Jones. But he made a bet with him
self that it wouldn't come off.
Suddenly woman's voice to the
accompaniment of a guitar came
through the open window. 1t was soft,
rich, yet penetrating:
La Mute ecoute ct Sc pencil sur
"Hulio,'' said Otto, "a .stro1ling
singer, and a good voice. too He
went to the window and called out:
"Quf vive ?"
"oh. dear" answered woman's
voice outside, "they told me you spoke
English"
80 I do, after fashion, said Otto
leaning out of the window. do your"
why, of course do said the voice
I'm English, at least I'm American"
THE deuce you are. What are you
doing in our garden?"
IT wish you would let me come in
and tell you, will your
Come in at once. Here, give me
your bandits only a step"
A pretty girl dressed in a Spanish
costume. as If for a fancy ball, follow
ed the hand. Her costume was rich
and looked fresh, but she sank into a
chair by the window exclaiming:
"Oh, how good it seems to be able to
sit down again in chair"
Have you walked all the way from
Paris 90 asked Otto.
From Paris and ever so much far
ther. My shoes are worn to shreds-
see?"
She stretched out a tiny foot-slipper
and silken hose were in shreds.
rive been singing for two days" said
she, land see, that is all took in
showing him a few sous-"and I'm so
''Hungry," cried Otto, dragging for
ward a little table with some cakes and
wine. The girl looked at it longingly,
remarking:
"Cake-that's what everybody offers
me and I'm dying for a-ham sand
wich.''
'TIl forage for something more sub
stantia1,'' cried Otto, starting toward
the door.
mot till explain-wait, please" said
the girl. Are you an Americana"
you bet I am"
Thank God" said she. then you'll
believe me. I'm not a beggar. I'm In
hard luck. These are all the clothes
this is all the money I have. I'm
stranger in Paris. Day before yester-
Grand hotel to wait for my father. I
had a maid. half dozen trunks, and a
letter of credit. On the way from
Care du Nord my maid ran away with
they wouldn't believe me when I told
them who was. 1 hadn't a friend in
Paris, except some relatives Of my
father, whose address is in my van
ished trunks. This masquerade suit
hung in the closet of the hotel I bor-
rowed it and rented guitar and start
ed out to see If could support my
self. I had read of students in dis
tress doing such things. I thought it
would be a lark, but it has been awful.
And kept thinking I'd come up with
some nice Americans. 1 was doing my
very best, you see"
Otto agreed with her. He coHldn't
help 1t, she was SO pretty. When he
told her this, she permitted him to go
for a sandwich. In a minute he came
back with some cold chicken and little
biscuits, a small cheese and a pot of
jelly.
s'Wiu these things do?" he queried
doubtfully
''Do? Do?'' she cried with delight.
Watch mel"
She perched before the tray and be-
is divine" she exclaimed. "What a
nice fellow you are-but can't eat
too worried"
Worried ?" said Otto. what
about?''
at guess you'd be worried If you
didn't know where you were going to
$50 I might" said he. "but where
did you sleep last night?'
I'm the Pare Monceau."
"In the park? All night? ?"
"All night, and there was such a
wretch near me-
I'm sure there was said Otto,
hunting through his pockets. Here
take this money. At least you won't
have to sleep in the park
''Then I can't sleep here 2" pouted
the girl You believe me, of course,
but you have your few little doubts.
My story is so absurd
al believe every word said Otto,
"but this hotel is expensive"
"I'll take the money said the girl,