The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-10
THE EVENING STORY
The Kidnaper.
by Barney Preston.l

by Barney Preston.1
| Young Mr.. William McVicker was
much given to two things-an ardent
reading of certain pessimistic German
minds these two pastimes may appear
synonymous, but Billey McVicker.
Wlthal rather serious parsonage, while
he found them each equally pleasant,
was never more awake than when, with
his short-sighted eyes close to one of his
favorite and well-thumbed volumes, he
ABSORBED Teutonfc reflections on life in
general to his hearts content.
The philosophical times were ubiqui-
tous with him; they bulged his pockets
or were trundled-if they happened to
be larger-beneath his arm with a
patience worthy of better things.
Therefore, on a certain perfect early
summer day, when Mr.. McVicker walk
ed slowly down the winding path that
led to the anchorage in the bay,
brown book stuck out of the hip pock-
ct of his. yachting trousers and a lean
foref1nger rested between the pages OF
another, which he carried in his hand.
Between his periods of reading and
sleep Billy McVicker was something of
a sailor; and today. with just enough
breeze for spin with~a whole sail, he
united the painter of the little tender.
off and sculled leisurely to his knock
about, which lay at her moorings in the
bay.
Once aboard the knockabout, the
pTGGZei 10 McVlck6FS unuLL6rdDl6 us
gust, began to die out. The ruffled sur
face of the bay began to take on an
oily smoothness, indicative of the COM
ing calm. McVicker, beholding it,
grunted disgustedly.
However, there would be plenty OF
other days with good breeze; there
was even a chance that one might
spring UP bit later. A patient and
accomplishing soul was Billy McVicler
when he was armed with one of his
philosophical tones.
Therefore he enSconced himself COM
fortably on the cushions of the cockpit,
opened the volume in his hand, and, for
getful alike of sun and calm, was soon
engrossed in his reading.
Long and thoughtfully did McVicker
follow the text. Then, pausing for
moment to digest what he had just been
perusing, he was aware that the sec
ond of his pastimes was crying strong
ly for recognition; in other words, Billy
McVicker was beautifully and luxuri-
ously drowsy.
The breeze by this time had died out
completely. The sun was becoming I'M
comfortably hot. Mr.. McVicker retired
to the diminutive cuddy, half closed
the doors to shut out the reflected glare
of the sun on the quiet water, and, curl
ing himself up, lost himself in pro-
found and dreamless slumber.
He was awakened by the noisy rattle
of the sail and the squeak of the blocks
as the peak was hoisted. Lazily he
opened his eyes, and as he did so, his
ear caught the sound of light footballs
on the deck.
as the knockabout mornings were
thrown off, and the sharp cracking of
the sail as it filled. With these sounds
also came the tapping of water about
the bow, which told him plainly that
the knoclzabout was under way.
He yawned lazily, and collected his
scattered wits. Why should the sail be
up and the knockabout starting out of
ho ha U me- IN " a r
ever, he told himself.
The footballs sounded along the deck
again, thudded into the cockpit and
Immediately McVicker realized that his
kidnapper, whoever it might be, had
taken the tiller, for at once the knock
about heeled sharply and went scud-
ding out of the bay toward the sound
beyond.
''By George, this is pretty ordinarily
nervy," McViczer observed to himself;
and then he crept to the cuddy doors
and through a crack peered cautiously
aft.
one glance was sufficient to make
Mr.. McVicker gasp in whole-souled sur
prise, for there by the tiller stood Helen
Weldon, who was spending the week
with the Grays, and for whom, ever
since her first appearance at Bayport
the summer before, Billy McVicker had
evinced something decidedly more than
a passing interest.
With a covert chuckle he drew away
from his peepho1e at the doors, rubbed
the sleep from his eyes, and smoothed
down his tumbled hair as best he could.
Then he pushed open the doors and
stepped calmly into the cockpit, with
young woman by the tiller.
And startled she undoubtedly was-so
startled. indeed, that sheet and tiller
alike slipped from her grasp and the
knockabout, left to its own devices,
came suddenly into the wind with a
great Tapping of sail and rafting of
sheets.
"OhY' said the girl in amazement.
Again McVicker bowed.
You'll pardon my intrusion, won't |
you?'' said he. I'm mighty sorry I |
frightened you, but you see there was
really no other way of making my pres |
shame to miss this chance of a sail
with you"
where did you come from. and what |
on earth are you doing here?" she
asked. To cover her evident embarrass-
ment she began trimming in the sheet /
and putting the neglected boat on her
II came from the cuddy," said Nc
doing, well, am waiting at present for
an invitation to finish your sail with
you"
How do you happen to be aboard
this knockabout, anyway" she per-
sisted.
''Well. I believe own her. At any
rate there are papers purporting to be a
bill of sale Of her in my desk at home.'
your boat?" she cried in amazement.
you say this is your boat?'
He nodded, smiling.
'Then somebody has made a mistake.
Mr. Gray told me to take his boat, the
one at the third buoy from the pier"
boat at the third buoy would have
been Gray,'s,' said McVicker. But
Hanson just went out a while ago,