The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-24
THE EVENING STORY
In the Tail of the Comet.
(By Dorothy Blackmore.

fashioned portmanteau on the floor at
his side.
ITS strange instruction-this," he
said. looking at the document in his
hand. And when mother died and
left it to me, nearly thirty years ago,
doubted I would ever live to carry
it out"
He laughed to himself as his eyes
wandered, almost with unconscious
pride, to the mirror on the wall of
his room, He did not look his 76
years. He was tall and his shoulders
were broad, if stopped a trif1e-from
going through so many tight places, he
always said. He had never missed q
day in the last year at his own desk in
his office, and there was not a clerk
nor underling in his employ who had
his wits more keenly with him.
He reread the clause in the docu-
ment in his hand:
ITO Ny Son Marshall: My
old portmanteau with the key. It is
not to be unlocked until his seventy
sixth birthday-if he lives so long"
And I'm 76 today" repeated the
old man.
He turned the key and opened the
faded old bag and his features ex-
pressed the gleeful anticipation of
lad opening his Christmas box.
In the pocket inside there was a
and found book. Tears filed his
eyes as he read across the fiyleaf,
"Baby's book. Marshall Dexter, born
May Is, 1903. Particularly interesting
because of an occasion when he was 1
year old-this book is preserved for
him by his mother, Mary Dexter"
The man turned the pages quickly,
passing hastily over everything relat-
ing to his first tooth, his first party, his
first little sock pressed between the
pages. his curl, his many other baby
belongings that had been dear to the
mother.
At last he came to his first birth
day: "On this. his first birthday, baby
saw Halley's comet. Papa and held
the glasses to his eyes and tried to
make him understand what it was.
There was wonderful view of it from
the bedroom balcony and baby saw 1t.
He will be the only one of our little
FAMILY of three who can live to see it
When IL visits us seventy-five years
henee. With us, on our balcony at the
comet party, Wefe-our dear friends and
neighbors, Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson
ana their baby, Muriel, months old.
II my baby reads this on his seventy
sixth birthday, as it is my intention to
leave 1t for him to read, / want him
to learn whether or not Muriel Thomp-
son Is still living. 1t may be diff
cult, for girls marry and lose their
names, but he is my son and nothing
will be too difficult for him"
The old man read on through the
baby record his mother had SO fondly
and faithfully kept for him. Then he
laid it aside.
Halley's comet was at that very
time-May 1eS5-the sole topic of con-
everywhere to be found. He had seen
| 1t only the night before. 1t was old-;t
was almost ancient history to the man.
But this book-this record of his hay-
ing seen IT on previous visit made it
worth while. He leaned back in his
chair. the old portmanteau at his feet.
the book on the table beside him, and
sought In the -fecesSes of hts memory
for traces of Muriel Thompson. He
went back over his own married life of
forty odd years. He thought of his
son out west and his sons family: he
fingered for moment on the memory
| of daughter now with the mother in
| another world, but he could recall no
Muftel Thompson. His memory failed
| him when he tried to recall incidents
of his childhood.
From time to time. in the day that
| followed, he read passages from the
baby book, and the following night he
viewed the stranger in the heavens
with renewed interest, He sat for
| long moments on the porch of his
| home lookine at the great tailed star.
He tried to picture himself as a small
baby being forced to hold unseeing
see this same heavenly body seventy
| five years ago.
Even as he sat thus, a man servant
in his home sought him.
| There's lady to see you, sir, in the
drawing ROOM" said the servant
| Although Marshall Dexter HAD few
feminine visitors, he did not look sur
priSed in the presence of his servant.
1t was his habit not to.
I'll see her. Gorkins," he said.
Very well. SIR
Leaving the porch with a lingering
| look at the comet around which so
much romance had now been woven
for him, the man made his way to the
| drawing room.
AS he entered, a Dresden type OF old
lady walked toward him.
| You remember me as little as you
do Halley's comet, I fancy said the
stranger, extending her hand.
| Marshall Dexter took it as he looked
searchingly into the face of his guest.
| She was delicate little woman in an
| exquisite toilette of pale lavender and
cream lace. A young man accom-
panied her.
ted the host, but you're none the less
welcome in my home.'' he added hos
| The woman turned to her companion.
Thompson, let me introduce you to
Mr.. Marshall Dexter, an old friend of
mine.'' she said with a twinkle in her
eye that the older man noted.
Pm glad to know you, young man."
he said, still mystifed, but shaking the
| firm young hand warmly.
| I'm Muriel Thompson Dover. grand
mother of this young man, Thompson
Austin Dover" the little old lady ex-
planned. She paused for the effect of
/ her words.
"Oh," breathed the man, following
| his guest to seat. I've been trying
to recall you"
But you never could-nor l you"
| she fastened to remark. "But a man
| is easier to fnd-especially when one
| has an alert young grandson to help
| find him. Yes-ye5-my mother, too.
kept baby book and when / looked
back over 1t to see If she had recorded
the visit of this comet for me found
| that / had been at the comet party of
one Marshall Dexter-one year old,
back in Keokuk-"
us it possible!" exclaimed Dexter,
too astonished yet to make further