The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-01
The EVENING STORY
Polly's viking:
(By Ruth Merwyn. J

IN, Jack, SlgneQ Polly luguhrt-
ously. there isn't person on this
boat I know. and I won't have a soul
TO speaQ to all the way from Chicago
to Harbor Point.''
Poor little grill" Jack laughed
teasingly at his sisters ruefuI face. II
exist SO many hours without a man
to talk to. but don't f1irt with any
Stranger, Polly. If you do, he'll prob
aoiy turn out to be confidence man."
why. Jack. you've suggested a
way OUT" exclaimed Polly mischiev-
ing mani" She lowered her voice
tribe. Il mean that tall zone With
blue eyes and magnificent blond hair
He's regular viking, and I adore big,
blond men,
After her brother had gone and
the boat had started. Polly tried to
forget her condition in a book At
last It grew too dark to read. 'Oh,
dear, she sighed, II wish something
interesting would happen. it's so stu
pid here alone!"
For heavens sake, take this!" Pol
~ heard tense voice whisper, Hide
1T, quick till I call for it.''
1nvoluntarily her hand closed over
the package, and looking up she saw
the viking hurrying away to the
bow of the boat.
She was about to return the article
when the captain appeared, accom-
panied by another man.
There's the fellow!" Polly heard
the men exclaim as the two walked
to the bow of the boat
Come below" the man with the
captain ordered, touching the viking
on the shoulder.
Whats your business with me-"
asked the blond man angrily.
Better come down into the cabin
where we can talk quietly was the
reply Polly overheard.
After the men had gone below, Pol
ly hurried to her stateroom. The
mysterious package proved to be
small leather case, and as she held it
to the light the clasp fell aside, dis
closing the contents. On a bed of
white satin lay a magnificent gold
cross set with large diamonds.
"Oh, OH" breathed Polly in ecstacy.
How perfectly gorgeous! Dear me.
there's the center diamond gone!
Wonder if the man has it? hope to
goodness he'll come soon.''
She hurried out on deck again and
for long time watched for the reap
pearance of the stranger. At last she
looked at the time. 1t was eleven
o'clock.
Its surely too late for him to come
tonight. so I may as we'll go below
she soliloquized. Tomorrow, shall
give him back his old casket the very
first thingi"
the mystery of the cross kept her
wide awake. At last an explanation
suggested itself. Doubtless the ''vik-
ing" had stolen the cross! If so, she,
Polly Grayson, was receiver of sto1-
en- goods.
Early the next morning, a tired,
white-faced Polly. with dark circles I'M
der her brown eyes. hurried into the
dining room. Eagerly she looked at the
passengers seated there. but the man
she sought was not there.
After a vain effort to eat. she mad,
a tour of the ship; but the owner of
the casket was nowhere in sight, nor
did she dare to question the purser for
fear of drawing suspicion upon herself
At last the Northland reached the
she should find the owner of the casket
among the crowd who disembarked;
but, to her great dismay, he was not
there. :
Il wished something exciting would
happen" she gasped as she took the
ferry for Harbor Point, "and it has hap,
pened with a vengeance. It's lucky
papa's home, for he'll know what to do
with this horrid casket. I'd like to
pitch it into the bay this very minutei''
On reaching home, Polly was greatly
dismayed to find her father away on
an extended business trip. She could
not tell her mother about the casket
for Mrs. Grayson had a weak heart and
so was useless in an emergency. The
mystery of the diamond cross Law like a
weight on Polly's heart. Each day she
grew more fearful. Why didn't the
viking come for his property? Per-
haps an officer would come instead. If
so, could she convince him of her limo
cence? To say perfect stranger had
handed her q costly diamond cross
we'll. even Polly had to admit the story
sounded decidedly fishy. Every time
the doorbell rang, her heart beat riot
ouSly.
At last, in her desperation. Polly be-
Petoskey. hoping to see the mysterious
stranger among the everchanging
crowds there.
I'll go crazy if he doesn't come
soonv she said to herself one day as
she leaned YEARLY back in her chair at
the auction store.
Just at that moment the woman in
the next chair left, and Immediately a
man took the place. Polly looked at
him and her heart gave a great leap.
1t was the long-looked-for stranger.
Eagerly she began to open her hand
bag.
''Don'tr' the man whispered without
turning his head. TOO many people
here. I must see you alone"
Polly hesitated a second, then an
swered: There's a Japanese tearoom
across the street. I'll go over there
and you have tea served at the same
table,
The stranger nodded.
Polly hurried across the street into
the tea room. There were only two |
persons there and both were strang-
ers to her.
Polly sought little table in a dis |
tant corner of the room. A moment |
later the owner of the casket entered |
and sat down at the same table. A |
pretty little Japanese girl in a gay, |
kimono brought them their |
cups of fragrant tea and some thin |
rice cakes.
Under cover of passing the rice |
cakes, Polly handed back to the |
stranger the casket that had robbed |
her of her peace. AS it left her pos |
session she felt so absurdIy happy |
that she smiled radiantIy at the |
stranger.
Let me tell you the whole story" |