The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-29
THE EVENING STORY
A Rain of Shoes.
IBy Louise NJ. Breitenbach.l


that confronted her in the mirror on
the opposite wall
You've been an Industrious girl this
afternoon. Susie.'' she nodded APPROX
ingly to the face in the glass. It's
not more than an hour since mother
left, and you've almost finished pack
ing. Hot work. though" She smiled
in sympathy at the flushed cheeks and
floating locks of yellow hair. What
more to do?'
Refiectively, she looked around the
room. Those trays with my party
gowns to put in, and all my boots to
pack Clever idea of yours, Susie, to
put them on. the window sill to air be-
fore packing in the compartment. And
a. pretty lucky thing you are, too. Su-
sie," she confided to the girl who faced
her in the mirror as she shook out the
folds of a party coat and tucked 1t
ttnderly away, Ito escape all the Ques-
tions and talk of broken engagement
by this little 1aunt with Grandmother
Burton. Not that I've anything to
run away from. No. indeed. it was all
the fault of that stubborn Ernest
mean-Mr. Woods-really 1 must
But the remark was never rounded
out. Instantly the room was in an up
roar, and to the girls startled gaze
seemed full of flying fur and pursuing
legs. Before she could rush to the
rescue her cat. madly chased by an in
furiated little dog. had jumped wildly
over trays. boxes and trunk, and with
a graceful spring landed in safety on
the window sill Out of reach of the
enemy, but-alas for the fairy boots
and slippers that. second before, had
been summing themselves in neat arayl
Like magic, they had Disappeared, and
the clairvoyant vision of their Mortified
owner could see them lying scattered
in all directions on the sidewalk some
SIX stories below.
You wicked little creature" Susie
cried, making a frantic dive for the
49,. - % oOl1
davenport. You're all to blame for
this wretched business. Beings of your
sort ought to be put in prison, and
kept there so they can't disturb the
peace of poor. unoffending mortals IKE
u.s." Cuddling the handsome Angora,
who still bristled with rage. the girl
continued to launch her invectives In
the direction of the davenport.
And now, Mr.; Peter Black Nose,
down in the elevator in this?" With
dainty fingers she picked up corner
of a house-dress, blue as a bit of the
sky. "Or in these?" Scornfully she
extended a tiny moccasined foot OF
perhaps send Mary DOWN." she went
on. sarcastically "WelI you know you
hypocrite, it's maids afternoon out.
What did you mean to insinuate by
that little bark? I'd like to know, ASK
the elevator boy? Oh, yes, and have
him tell everybody in this apartment
house and especially TIM Oh. you
miserable little bit of satanic majesty"
She danced about in fury as a sudden
thought gripped her.
Its nearly time for Ernest mean
Mr.. Woods to be coming home now,
and what will he think when ne sees
all my?
her. What shall I do? 1t can't be
mother or Mary-it's too early. Oh,
mercifuI me! It's somebody bringing
my Heaven grant it's a woman,
she prayed as she crept to the door
From that moment of her life susie
Ferris became imbued with her psycnl-
cal power, for, as she afterward oe-
clared, the eyes of her spirit penetrated
that closed solid door, afford1ng her
perfect vision of a tall young man,
rather red in the face. hat awry, arms
piled with boots and slippers.
Her color grew very deep, and her
throat swelled, but the tone was Icy.
You are very kind, Mr.. WOODS
Please put the-the-them down.
with an air of solemnity he stepped
into the room
"Where shall 1 deposit the-the-
them % he aswed deferentially enough,
but, though he lowered his head, she
caught a fieeting glimpse of the edge OF
a smile. 5000
shrilly, insistently.
I1ncertainIy. they glanced at each
other like guilty consp1rators. ana tne
young man promptly gathered gram
of comfort from the helpless appear
of those very blue eyes.
sBy Jove, SUSIE" he broke out Win
boyish impetuousness, I'm sure It's
policeman.
and suddenly lost her frozen dignity.
She had all a woman's horror of the
Clutch of the law. "What can he want?
You CO." she begged. >,
Lets both 60" he suggested; =,
"B-r-r-r-r!" the impatient bell
called and a burly policeman forced
his bulk through the door.
The young man gave an almost the
atrical start of surprise. your" ne
breathed-
hide here" clustered a deep, gutteral
voice, ssbut it's no go. You just come
along with me. Or With a nerce
scowI. which did not however obscure
the sly twinkle in his eyes. he raised
his baton threateningly.
ssVVhat have 1 done. Mr.. Police
man ~ inquired the young man with
surprising meekness.
81 guess you'll find out soon enough
at headquarters" staggered the other.
you'll have to tell good and plenty
whose the swag is, and you'll find out
Won can't knock an officer down ana
take to your heels for nothing
enough at headquarters" staggered
The other. you'll have to tell good |
and plenty whose the swag is. and
vou'll fnd out you can't knock an Of
icer down and take to your hees lot
nothing"
'Im sure" came the meek apology, |
as Ernest placed each shoe with UNI |
studied tenderness on the center table, |
II didn't intend to hurt YOU. 1 just
ran to get ahead of you in picking |
1p her-these-"
'That don't go so easy" the big
man answered. with what seemed to |
Susie unbearable brutality. Don't De
a-puttin' those down, pick EN- up ana
come along"
Suddenly the girl realized that she
was the leading lady in the play. With |