The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-18
The EVENING STORY
The Kidnapper.
(By lola Forrester.)


(By lola Forrester.)
Doris came on deck early that last
morning before the Carania passed
Sandy Hook. Slim and graceful in he1
long gray steamer cloak, with wind
tossed wisps of fair hair straying out
from beneath her close, quantity snap
ed cap, she seemed to Darlington the
winsomest maid he had ever met. And
Darlington had been many seasons out
of kDickerbockers.
Halt way around the promenade
deck he Joined her.
1.-THE last day. he said, as he tucked
her arm in it's accustomed place an
he'd her land closely.
They are engaged Doris an
nounced with a splendidly triumphant
note of relief and satisfaction
You don't mean Raleigh and
'Vivien? But I do. And 1 am SC
glad. He'll make a darling brother
in-law 1 have never blamed Vivien
particle. He is so altogether-oh,
bully, don't you know? That is what
a man would say, wouldn't he?"
Am bully" asked Darlington,
darkly.
Zig, overgrown college youngster-just
a big brother. 1 don't quite see how
-7ivien can really love him as a hus-
band, but tastes are very different
DO you think I would make a good
husband %
For Vivien p
For any one. On general princi-
pies, 1 mean
Doris shook her head.
81 hardly think so. You seem more
like a pal, or a chum to me. I have
never found any one who understo cd
just what mean. and could throw
the ball back. know whatsI mean? OF
course, you cant expect a husband to
be Just a good pal"
But he should. It's part of the ideal
dream, child. A husband should re-
main three things, a lover ever, a
friend always. and a comrade every
If they only could" breathed
Doris, bending her head to the wind
and laughing uD at him.
81 could
81 think perhaps you could she
said. 81 am 80 sorry Vivien didn't
take you. And all the rest of the
family did"
Perhaps it was pure contrariness.
When are they to be married ~
LAS soon as papa and mamma have
recovered from the blow. I am to
be maid of honor, and Raleigh says he
must have you for best man"
81 see your mother and aunt ap-
preaching
Doris chung close to his arm
'tThen look as if you were making
frantic love to me-
but I am"
you poor boy, you really think you
are. don't you? Never mind. Lean
your head down, and sigh
From the forward deck came Mrs.
Vaughan and her maiden sister. both
anxious and troubled.
Doris, dear, have you seen Vivien ~
asked the aunt. won't you take cold
in this wind? Mr.. Darlington, do you
ever have neuralgia? Doris comes
from an afflicted family. We're all of
US given to neuralgia; that is, all on
the Somerset side. The Vaughans
never have it,
wen be in by noon, they say" Mrs
Vaughan remarked. Its so dear of
you, Dick, to take my baby around,
and look after her. This is her first
crossing. Where can Vivien be? I
WONDER
Just at this point they caught a
glimpse of Vivien, tall and 1.-the, with
a certain well-known form beside her.
As they neared, Mrs. Vaughan stood
her ground, with Miss Somerset as
aide. It was her last stand, and she
realized it. She had fought for three
months to make a match between
Vivien and Dick Darlington. He was
the most desirable husband-elect on
her horizon, thirty, wealthy, a lawyer
whose opinions were weighed as pure
gold by the powers that reigned over
She would have none of him. She had
given every spare moment of her time
to Jack Raleigh, one of the younger
set, with only hope ahead of him, and
a patrimony.
The two sisters exchanged laughing
glances, as Vivien drew near Gladly
had Doris lent her assistance in the
merry war. It had been she who had
taken the entire matter frankly to
Dick, told him of the family objection
to Jack. and asked him to pay com
pIete and undivided attention to her
on the voyage
ssBut I am not in love with Vivien, -
he protested. "She's a charming girl,
but"
Nobody said you were. goose. .
Doris had returned. but mamma
hopes you may be. And she will deny
poor Vivien to all corners as long as
YOU are a possibility Therefore, you
must. you simply must, become at
tached to me for this trip only. When
we land. I will break the engagement,
truly
So it had been arranged, half in jest,
and as the days of wonderful October
weather passed, Darlington himself
hardly realized how dear his proxy ties
were growing.
'sWere you looking for me, mamma
dear?'' Vivien asked, gently I'm SO
sorry
isn't this regular family party. .
exclaimed Jack. with boyish exuber-
ance. He was looking buoyant and
proud 81 say. Mrs Vaughan, I don't