The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-13
THE EVENING STORY
His Peculiar Predicament.
.(By Stacy e. Bakery

ILLS L CCuAl0E EECA1Stz11lCnbs
.CBy Stacy e. Bakery
'Lukesd-a-a-alei" shouted the con-
ductor.
The fussy little old gentleman with
the numerous packages, and the tall,
broad shouldered youth occupying
the seat in front Of him. hastily
seized their belongings and bolted
for the door. Lukesdale Ii a small
stop.
Hardly were the two men safe on the
rough boards bounding the station
before the older mans parcels began
to slip and slide in an awkward way.
and, but for the hasty assistance of
the other the majority of them would
have fallen.
THANK you," wheezed the suburb
ante. "You are a stranger hereabout,
are you not p
This is my first trip to Lukes-
dale" smiled the young man. He
reached for his card case, then realiz-
ing that it would be a physical i'm
possibility for the old gentleman to
accept 1t and retain possession of his
purchases, he said:
my name is Hampton. I have an
aunt living here whom 1 shall visit.
Can you direct me to the residence Of
Miss Cornelia Wade?"
The other eyed his companion
curiously. A half smile flashed on his
lips.
"I go right by the house." he an
swered. my name is Warren. Pleased
to make your acquaintance. Hampton.
hope we shall know each other better
before you leave town.
1t was now about 9 O'Clock in the
evening and beginning to get dark.
Hampton was thankful for the COM
but his own light suit case to carry,
attempted to relieve his guide Of some
of his load.
To this the old man strenuosly OBJ
jected. I'm used to it," he pro-
tested. do this stunt almost every
night"
Thereafter he was strangely reti-
cent, breaking out into an occasional
chuckle, but essaying few words.
"A most eccentric old chap"
two attempts to start a conversation
he humored the old mans mood.
The streets of Lukesdale were q
credit to the town, and this helped a
conspicuously inadequate. The little
burg seemed to have been laid out
all on one street.
At last the two drew near a large
domicile, aristocratic in appearance.
and towering majestically above its
your destination" said Warren.
pointing.
It was now dark The windows of
the house were ablaze.
Up the broad path leading to the
spacious veranda the two strobe. A
burst of girlish laughter came sud
denly out to them, and Warren again
chuckled.
II had understood that my aunt
lives alone" remarked Hampton. un-
easily.
'Then she must have company"
suggested the old gentleman drily.
''That certainly ain't her voice.
A mind picture of this grim rela-
tive, sharp featured. suspicious eyed.
flashed for an instant before the
minds eye of Hampton. Warren was
right Miss Wade must be entertain
ing.
Warren surprised the youth by
stepping up to the door. and in q
perfectly at home manner. f1inging it
wide open.
ENTER" he wheezed, dramatically,
and as Hampton, dazzled by the
light, obeyed the voice OF the old
gentleman followed him across the
threshold. "This is Mr.. Hampton, of
New York, come to visit his aunt,
The door slammed shut, and the
sound of hasty feet descending the
steps on the other side caused Hamp-
ton to turn in surprise. He was alone.
The blindness now partially left the
youth. He turned to confror. two
young girls, evidently sisters, and
smiling elderly woman.
Uncle Oscar Is SO eccentric" said
Tone of the girls, advancing toward
Hampton, and relieving him of his
suit case. His eyes caught the rudy
CLEAN of her hair, the cloud blue of
her eyes. A spot of red dotted, for a
passing second, the white of her
cheeks.
II am Virginia. said the girl
simply. Let me introduce my moth
er and my sister, Louise"
The two women came forward
Louise was a younger maid, in looks
and actions the double of the fair
Virginia. She had the same graceful
carriage; the same rich voice.
oscar is a tease contributed the
| matron- "One-especially stranger
Her laughing eyes peered out at
of kindred love for humor.
But" ventured Hampton, i'll at
ease. 'I am sure there has been a
sOh, we all understand" laughed
Virginia I'VE all know Uncle
Oscar
Tut
POSITIVELY no explanations. They
are not needed"
"I only wish you understood" half
whispered Hampton, gazing wistfully
at the girl. She had made a great
| impression on the youth from the
| city. With a social footing in New
York second to none, and an income
I that had allowed him to travel ex-