The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-01
The EVENING STORY
Twixt Maid and mistress.
(By Frank H. wilIiams.)

Maude Forbes. maid to Miss Ann
Peabody, felt her heart thrill as she
| glanced at the bulky figure of the
| big chauffeur beside her.
! John WINTHROP was a well built
man. Tall and handsome. with the
muscles of an athlete. he was enough
to make the heart of an impression
able girl palpitate abnormally. And
when pretty girl like Miss Forbes
was really In love with him. then his
proximity was sufficient to bring
bushes of delight. Winthrope's one
great fault in Miss Forbes's eyes was
his innate bashfulness.
DO you know" she whispered con-
fidentially in his ear, "I believe that
you are in love with Miss Peabody"
Winthrope's face turned red under
her twinkling gaze; but, although
Miss Forbes was apparently greatly
delighted at the result of her words,
she was secretly dismayed. Was it pos
slble that he really was in love with
Miss Peabody? For some time she
had thought that his attentions to her
was actually necessary. 1t was with a
view to finding out his real state of
feeling that she had made the sug-
gestion as to his love affair.
L declared
thrope savageIy, as he jerked the
steering wheel of the car.
ooh, you don't need to say that"
replied Miss Forbes. "I'll not tell
any one about your affinity. You
might confide in me-we're good
Yes, good friends" Winthrope an
sWered shortly.
Again Miss Forbes felt a sinking at
the heart. So they were nothing more
"Of course" she went on. "it does
seem rather presumptuous of you to
aspire so high-but stranger things
have happened. I've often thought
that is, it has seemed to me that she
has looked on you and talked to you
as if she were interested. Naturally,
l wish you all the luck in the world.
II hope you'll succeed"
Aw," growled WINTHROP, "I"
But the rest of his sentence was lost
viciously pulled the car to a stop. Miss
Peabody was waiting for them in front
of department store
Til sit in front with John" Miss
Peabody announced brightly as the
car drew UP. 81 want tim to give me
a final lesson in driving the car"
AS Miss Forbes reluctantly climbed
from her seat in front and made her
way into the tonneau she felt a dis
tinct pain of jealousy. To her distorted
vision it seemed that Winthrope glad
ly welcomed the change. To her it ap-
peared that his hand rested almost
too caressingly. on Miss Peabodys
hand as he aided her in guiding the
huge car through the streets; that his
glance was almost too noticeab1y ten
der as he whispered his instructions
to her: Miss Forbes sighed.
The car sped through the streets
and in short time reached the coun-
tryside. Miss Peabody's fresh laugh
rang out as they raced along. She
seemed to be enjoying herself hugely.
Miss Forbes wished that she were
having so good time.
They had reached a broad, country
road, and Winthrope had practically |
resigned control of the machine to |
Miss Peabody. The road made sharp |
around the curve Miss Forbes saw a |
temporary bridge spanning a stream, |
a short distance to the side of the |
spot where the old bridge had for |
merly stood. The temporary bridge |
was a frail structure. with no side |
rail.
Instinctivel-- Miss Forbes felt dis |
aster coming her way. She closed her |
eyes and heard Winthrope call to Miss |
Peabody:
ITO the right, quick!" he cried.
Miss Forbes opened her eyes. Per-
haps Winthrope's cool head would /
save them. after all. She saw Miss
Peabody drop the steering wheel and |
neck. Winthrope tried desperately to
1isengage her hands and to reach the |
without avail. Miss Forbes
saw that the car was headed for the
river and again she closed her eyes.
In moment the car seemed to |
eave the earth and soar into the air.
Then came the sound of a huge |
splash as it struck the water. Icy cold
water enveloped Miss Forbes.
To Miss Forbes surprise she did |
lot consciousness
desperately to reach the surface, and
Is she fought she wondered, oddly
what WINTHROP and Miss
Peabody were doing. She wondered if
Miss Peabody still had her arms about
neck, and even then she
'elt pang of jealousy.
Finally Miss Forbes got her head
above water and then. to her fur
more she realized that she
vas standing on a seat in the ton
leau and that her head was above
water. She glanced about. In front
# her were WINTHROP and Miss Pea
BODY. The latter still had her arms
bout Winthrope's neck and Miss
Forbes saw that she had tainted.
Wfnthrope caught sight of the girl,
md she was sure that flash of joy
wept across his face. 'But, of course,
led be glad anybody wasn't drown
d." she told herself.
"Can you wait until I take Miss
to the shore % Winthrope I
ried.
Miss Forbes nodded. She watched
lin strike out with strong, sturdy /
trokes and her heart thrilled at the
light. Well might Miss Peabody, or
my one else, be proud of such man.
n a short time Winthrope had reach
d the shore and deposited the still
orm of Miss Peabody on the, ground.
hen he plunged into the water. /,
you aren't frightened, are your"
vinthrope asked. as he neared Miss
Forbes.
''Not at all.''
Miss Forbes noticed that the mans
ace was thin and drawn. His hands,
as he caught her from the