The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-25
THE EVENING STORY
GoIdenhair.
(By Louise Merriheld. }

: step, opened the door to the studi
suite, and breathed sigh of suprem
happiness. Home was home after all
1t was a warm Indian summe
night. She decided not to light tn
gas. The view of the city was to-
enthralling at that late hour to spoil
She threw her cloak and hat on tn
hall settee, and went on into the re
ception room.
Yes. it was just as she had left it
two months before. The janitor's wife
had been up and cleaned for her. and
left the windows open. she noticed
The couch was not in its usual place
She turned around and nearly fell over
a chair placed at a new angle, laughed
land dropped down on the couch.
Just for minutes rest she told
herself, after the long day of travel
and even with that thought weighing
on her, she fell asleep. exhausted but
happy.
The closing of the outer door was
what Weakened her. She heard it far
off in her dreams. and Weakened lis
tening. Steps sounded through the
1 hall, quiet, rather slow, but steps. AS
she propped herself on one elbow, and
looked cautiously out beyond the hang
ings at the arch, she saw the figure of
a man outlined distinctly against the
half light. He was tall and young, she
could tell that much, even as he stood
with averted face before the dining
room door. He entered the inner
room, after pause, and she caught
| the scratch of q match. 1t was a
daring burglar. More, he was whistl-
ing softly under his breath as he
moved about.
Leslie rose determinedly. Packed
under the sideboard was a full tea set
of silver, and various precious family
the family home in Vermont to bright
en- her city abode. They should not fall
into the sack of any Raffies if she
could save them.
What are you doing here?'
He turned at her voice 1t was a
trife shaky, but determined. Her wavy
blond hair was rumpled, her cheeks
flushed from her short sleep and her
blue eyes very wide and startlingly
bright She was figuring the distance
to the telephone in the hall even while
she watched him.
Yet his answer was an old one, and
most touching in his simplicity.
I'm hungry" he said, gently.
"Oh, you poor fellow, she exclaim-
ed, before she thought. Cant you
find any employment at all? Do you
have to follow this life? You don't
look=that kind
''Its bully of you to say So he
returned warmly, hands in pockets.
with eyes full of frankest admiration.
s'I'm awfully hungry, don't you know
and there isn't a thing to eat in
the icebox. I've been away for two
months
"I know it."
And you thought I was still alb
sent" she flashed back. f'Please don
think I'm nervous. I'm not bit, but
won't you take your hands out of your
pockets? I keep thinking you are go
ing to leap at me-and brass-knuckle
me-
sBy Jove I'm sorry lis hands
came from his pockets instantly.
Honestly, I haven't anything desper-
ate on me"
Haven't you? Because you didn't
expect to meet any one, I suppose.
Can't we compromise? Truly, I'm
shivering tacks. I never even saw a
burglar before. Couldn't you take
what cash I have on hand-it's about
twenty dollars, 1 think-and call it |
off? That would get you something
to eat, and grubstake you to the town.
so to speak,"
The two faced each other the
broad dini- = table between. He looked |
into her eyes until the gaze
wavered and dropped.
You're the Quickest girl I ever
saw he said, fervently. 81 didn't tell |
you at first because it was such a rip
ping joke. you know, but you're in the
wrong apartm emit.
II am ?" gasped Leslie. ''Why, no.
I'm not. I've been asleep on the couch
in there
TT is my couch" he murmured.
Goldenhair Did you also drink from
my bowl, and eat from my table, and
sit in the little bears chair -
isn't this Number Twelve ?"
'-It is Number Twenty-Five, directly
above Number Twelve"
But the pass key fitted the lock-"
They usually do fit all locks. Please
don't be disturbed. I'm awfully glad
you came in. If you had opened the
icebox you would have found some
4 couple of Holsters against this fatal
hour of II myself, and there's salad
stuff to fix it up, or we can broil them.
only came in ahead of the crowd to
start things going. We've all been
spending the evening at friends on the
square, and now we're going to have a
ehafing dish feast Won't you stay,
There are some bully sis
ers and cousins and aunts in the
crowd and we won't bite you"
you're the boy who builds things"
She felt bewildered, but vaguely re-
,a1led hearing that young Pomeroy
seward was her distinguished neigh
,or, Seward who at twenty eight had
Won more AWARDS ana architectural
prize contracts than any other man
# his age in New York. And she had
uttered his studio. slept on his couch,
md been on the point of arresting him
IS a burglar, or rather 'phoning for
he police to do it. She felt panic I
tricken, and looked around help
essly.
You can't jump through the win !
low, Goldenhair." he reminded her I