The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-24
THE EVENING STORY
Locating EVELYN.

/ NJ
John Bennett looked at his watch
and yawned YEARLY 1t was two hours
| before the eastbound train would leave
| Chicago. With an expression of bore
dom he strolled leisurely up the street,
| his eyes straying Hstlessly from side
| to side. He had the air of d man whom
| life has ceased to interest.
| The hurrying crowds met and passed
him. A pretty, fair-haired girl brushed
| by. and he glanced at her with the
| qu1ckening of sudden interest, then his
face settled into it's former expression.
Every ught-haired woman he had
met for the past two months had
| gained from him that quick look. 1t
had become a habit with the man: but
| he looked in vain for the face of
Evelyn Chester.
They had met in Denver the latter
part of the winter, and had become en-
| gagged. She was travelling with her
mother and father. The latter was IN
! the last stages of an illness.
| Finding no relief in the western eli
| mate, Mr.. Chester had suddenly de
cided to return east by easy stages.
They had no permanent home, and
| Evelyn, in view of this, had promised
to write as soon as she had arrived in
| New York.
and still no word from Evelyn. Ben
nett had at last started east in he hope
| of getting some trace of the Chesters.
The thought of Evelyn and her I'M
SllellCe
in his mind that the sight of every
fair-haired girl stirred his heart with 4
forlorn hope.
On his way up the street he had
reached one Of the moving picture
theatoriums. and thinking that he
another. he entered.
The performance had begun, and he
listened half-heartedly to the illus
trated song his thoughts still on the
her promise to him? He could not be-
lieve that. Had she been swallowed up
by some dreadful trouble? He must
find her.
Bennett raised his eyes to the can
vas. The song had ended and a
panoramic view of the Massachusetts
coast followed. He watched the irreS-
ular shore line. the boats, the quoint
villages and towns, the children enjoy
ing their summer playground by the
sea. Then there flashed to view bit
of beach. Two girls sat by an old boat
that was half buried in the sand. Their
faces We're turned toward him, and
there upon the canvas, her wistfuI eyes
gazing straight into his own, was the
lost Evelyn.
He sprang to his feet, then as hur
riedly reseated himself. The view had
passed. and he doubted the evidence of
his eyes Had he reached the point
where every pretty face looked like the
girl? He pulled himself together. He
would see the view again.
There was no mistake this time; the
girl was Evelyn Chester beyond a
doubt. Again he allowed the picture TO
pass without noticing the face of her
companion. Once more he waited
through the interim.
When the view flashed out he was
rewarded, for the features of the 9TH
er girl were decidedly familiar. The
face was not as clear as Evelyn S,
but it was certainly a picture of
nd
the Aylmers lived in New York. He
had not seen Eileen for two years,
but the clew was worth following up.
Bennett left the place with hope In
| his heart.
He made some inquiries of the
manager of the theater, but the man
could tell him only that the reel was
one sent to the regular circuit, and
that the pictures had probably been
taken that summer.
Two days later found Bennett in
New York. He would hunt up Eileen
AyImer, and if she were not the girl
in the picture he would seek through
every town on the Massachusetts,
coast for news of Evelyn.
The Aylmers were occupying their
cottage on the Hudson, and Bennett
took the first train for their home
Their cottage lay on the outskirts
of the village, and few minutes OF
brisk walking brought Bennett in
IL.
of the broad piazza Claude Aylmer
bounced upon him.
why, Bennett, old man." he cried;
chow good of you! thought you
were in the wild and woolly west"
Bennett shook hands.
81 don't want you, Aylmer," he
cried, 81 want your sister
Great snakes, mani" he exclaim-
ed, don't try any LochinVar stunt on
the banks of the historic Hudson!
Besides, Eileen's engaged"
There was an amused laugh from
tall girl in white. who rose from
a hammock and came forward with
hand cordially outstretched- Bennett
regarded her with silent anxiety, then
his face frightened. She was surely
the girl of the picture.
What nonsense, Claude" she
cried; Mr.. Bennett isn't dangerous
at least, he wasn't formerly. He
wouldn't carry off a bride-to-be from
the midst of her astonished relatives -
Miss Aylmer," cried Bennett, do
you knew Evelyn Chester. For heav-
Eileen laughed. know my col
lege chum!" she exclaimed. know
the girl who is to be my bridesmaid in
two weeks! Well, rather"
Where is she now?"
''She and her mother are spending
the summer in a little village on the
Massa chusetts coast. They went
there to be quiet after her fathers
death I spent a week with them two
months ago. Why, Mr.. Bennett,
what in the world is the matter ?"
on a chair, his face very white, and
had covered his eyes with his hand.
Then the story came out, and FL
Ieen was greatly interested.
Isn't it romantic" she cried Evelyn
has been SO unlike herself all summer
she is usually the brightest. most