The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-09
TIE EVENING STORY

(By Louise Merrifield.O

WAS through one OF ner PERIOD
ical grass widowhoods.
Jack had taken sudden notion
} he wanted to have fling at fall
shooting in Saskatchewan.
OR was it Kamchatka? % unused
Mrs. Kinney, telling of the whole trag-
edy later. I'm not sure. But he
went two weeks ago, and knew Lee
more, poor dear, would be lonely. So
PercivaI said we'd run down and stay
the week end with her. The Clinton
HasIeighs had been at Edgemere a
week and over and I knew Lenore
would be half dead entertaining them.
And the Jameses from New Orleans
said they were going down for Thanks
giving Well, that's really all there is
to tell. We arrived. The house was
in utter desolation-servants gone, Lee
more goneI Only the stables intact,
and the housekeeper left. The large
touring car was gone, too. No one
knows the truth. In the dead of night
a message arrived by A. D. T. Lenore
rose, dressed for travelling, acted ex-
citedly, took her jewel case and furs
and the touring car, chauffeur and
maid"
But even so, my dear" protested
Kinney mildly. "She may have been
| summoned to a deathbed."
|
seek to protect the guilty merely be-
| cause they happen to be social ac-
| quaintances? 1t is positive fact that
LenOre met a man at the Castlewood
! inn, half way to New York and they
went away together in her car. Poor
jack And there's nc getting word to
him, for we're not sure whether it is
/ Kamchatka or Saskatchewan. But
! I'm really surprised at Lenore. Mar
ried two years, and so young"
! w nom do suspect. Mrs. Kin
ney?" smiled Carey Roberts, Jack
Barton's close pal.
Z would not dare to say" Mrs.
Kenney's brows lifted.
Wouldn't yOu2 Somehow 1 can't
feel bothered over it. Ignores a mighty
straight little girl, and Jacks a prince
l think I shall wire Saskatchewan"
He did, but there was no response.
The rurhOr grew into alarming reports.
Mrs. Jack had been seen abroad with
q thin, fair man, reported to be the
Baron Fritz Somebody. Mrs Jack had
been observed at Palm Beach pacing
the promenade with short. stoue
man, undoubtedly senator from a Ger
tain western state. Mrs. Jack had Oc-
cupied a box at the opening opera sea
son in London. and behind her sat the
well known Italian Marquis So-and-So.
Edgemere renamed closed. The tall,
ivy covered uptown house, that had
been Jacks wedding present to his
bride, was closely boarded up. Rumor
stated that several bodies had been
found resembling Jack at various points
of the compass.
1t was late in November when Carey
Roberts, whirling around Paris with
his fiancee, Diane Boileau, caught
sight OF face in q passing taxi. 1t
surely was Mrs. Jack, looking more
beautiful than ever. il a stunning
black and white get up. and beside |
her was d man. His head was turned !
away, but Carey gave a startled ex- |
clamatiCn.
..T,;op.r Nvo,,,,-o -~o+ ~ t,,,s+ mo Soc
that taxi I've got to follow it. Come /
with me, and don't ask questions
Diane was American bred and French |
born. she smiled and stepped into an I
other taxi fresh for the chase. Through |
the streets and boulevards they trailcd |
the first one, anu finally it drew up |
before very modest house in a pretty |
oCtlying suburb. There was high wall
inclosinS a garden. Vines rambled over
the house. The windows were discreet
ly curtained in soft lace, with silk be-
yond, and little window boxes of Win
ter green's fronted them.
Carey bounded up the few marble
steps, and pressed the electric button.
The first taxi was just vanishing around
the corner its way back to town
Now. Diane dear listen. matter
what we stumble on leave it to NC
I'm Jacks friend, and it must be man
aged with diplomacy, the whole affair
It's bad enough as it is. But II I can
get a chance to speak to Lenore alone,
perhaps I may be able to help her for
his sake--
He paused. The door opened. A dis
Greet little French maid regarded then.
dernurely. Was madame at home? But
yes, surely! They entered the narrow
hall Just in time to face Lenore her
self. But net a penitent Lenore. Stand
ing before the oval Louis Seize mirror.
she was happy, care-free and frankly
amused when she saw her guests.
why. Carey, you dear old fellow.
I'm so glad to see you. And Diane
oh. I have heard.
She started to kiss DANES check,
and noticed the touch of hauteur as
the ~ril slightly drew away from her.
What is it?' she asked quickly
Come in and tell me. Are you in I
trcuble?'
We're they in trouble? Carey could I
nave grinned at her for her ccolness
out he cidnt. 1t was delicate stu $
Have you heard from Jack?" he /
lsked. gravely, thinking to startle her I
Jack? OF course" She dimpled
smusedly. ~Why?"
..Why? Oh, say, Mrs. Jack. forgive (
re if / speak plainly, but I'm the
1Cv's friend, you know, and we can't |
ira q trace of him. It looks as If
le had taken this thing to heart and s
What thing2' Her eyes were very
Fright now n
your elopement." Diane put in,
my elopement ~ repeated Lenore. Q
lowIy rs that what you are all
aging of me? How very very kind a
The hesitated. while Carey tried not to :
COX sympathetic. Il
Diane was gazing out of the win a
low coidly. It was almost too much,
he way Lenore regarded her esca- f
,ade. Suddenly she began to laugh,
Ter old, gay little ripple of amuse- =.
nent, and rose =
Il want you to meet my partner in s
-uilt," she said. and crossing the room E