The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-13
The EVENING STORY
Aunt serena's Supper Party.

(By Temple Bailey)
What in the world are you doing %
asked
Aunt Serena laughed. She was stand
! ing by her mahogany dresser putting
| into a shabby bag a well-fIled purse,
/ her diamond earrings a coral pin, and
| two rings.
My dear" she said solemnly. 81
| have always been afraid of burglars.
1t always seemed to me that if I should
wake up some night and find man in
my room I should die. So. in order to
avoid it, always put my valuables in
| this old black bag and set them on the
hau rack with a note addressed to any
chance burglar, telling him that
there is nothing worth stealing in<the
house, and asking him to take these
and go away as quickly as possible
stared at her in amazement. why
Aunt Serena" I cried, you are prac-
tieally giving your things away: you
might be able to hide them so they
couldn't be found
Il have never lost anything she
said lightly, land I have lived here
alone for twenty years.
1t gave me creepy feeling to go to
bed after that talk about burglars
was q city dweller, and the still coun-
try night, the dense darkness got on
my nerves. At last I slipped into Aunt
Serena's room. She was propped up
among the pillows, reading; a candle
SlOCO On d little table DeS1q6 hoF bed
and cast a faint fame into the sur
rounding darkness. 1 sat on the foot
OF the bed and talked to her It had
been ten years since my last visit, and
wanted to hear the news.
Are all the neighbors Just the
same p l asked. And where is the
little boy who used to wade with me in
the stream and play Indians in the
woods p
Aunt Serena smiled. ''He came home
from college yesterday" she said, land
he asked about YOU
HE was nice little boy" I remark
ed, reaectively.
HE is a nice young man." Aunt
Serena replied. HE comes over very
often and cheers me up when 1 am
lonely
1 went to bed presently; but not to
sleep Old memories crowded upon
ne I could hear the frog croaking in
the pond where years ago, Bruce
Burns and I had fioated paper boats
and built our windmills. He was a
nice boy, I thought, as [ drifted away
in dreams, and his smile was! II
sat up suddenly. had heard the crack |
of twig; it seemed to me that there I
was stealthy step on the walk
1 crept out of bed and went to the |
window l could see no one. but there |
was click of a latch. and in another |
n oment there came a sound from be
low which Indicated that the intruder |
There are times when I am brave |
I thought of poor Aunt Serena's black /
bag on the hall rack 1t contained her /
most precious belongings, and I was
not inclined to let some tramp carry |
off the treasures.
I slipped on my kimono and went to
the head of the stairs: the burglar was
in the kitchen. If I made rush for
it I could undoubtedly get the bag and
gain the safety of my own room before
he discovered me- With my heart
beating furiously, I made the descent,
grasped the bag and stood still. as a
light fared from the dining room and
[ caught sight of the burglar
This was no ordinary thief, but a
tall. well set up young man in a blue
serge suit. His hat was off, and his
hair was rumpled up in college pom
padour. He was searching in a draw
er where I knew Aunt Serena kept her
cherished teaspoons. Well I had her
jewels; he could take the rest I took
one stealthy step as he turned and
saw me.
Hello. he said. easily, and came
toward me.
For a moment felt as if I should
die of fright, but look of his face
reassured me. This was no hardened
The smile and unembar-
rdssed manner spoke rather of one
who, having been caught in an un-
usual act, was prepared to defend it.
L
must have made rather q fantastic fig
are in my flowing gown my hair
umbling about my shoulders But
lid not think of my appearance. "Are-
1T you ashamed of yourse1f?'' I de-
handed sharply, ito enter a house
where there are only two defenseless
women? If you must steal teaspoons,
Why not go to some place where you {
Won't frighten a dear old lady to ]
leath p
He stood perfectly still looking
Town at me. There was something in
lis expression that I could not fathom.
so you thought I came to steal the
easpoons2"
I nodded. What else could think %
asked. and pointed to the drawer. 1t
TODD wide open, and the spoons lay
evea1ed in a shining row.
1T seems dreadful" I said, that a
Houng man of your appearance should
,e brought to this
1T is he agreed. but I am going
Q ask favor of you. I am very
lungrv. I will leave teaspoons and {
verifying else if you viii find some
hing for me to eat
His impertinence took my breath I
way, but a second thought told me t
hat it would not be well to make