The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-29
THE EVENING STORY
IN the Night Watches.
(By Mabel G. England.)

spirits there congregated and turned
homeward. It was midnight when he
reached his house and as he carefully
inserted the key in the lock he breath
ed a hopeful prayer that this time his
wife of year had not waited up for
him. OF late he had formed an IN
regenerate habit of spending two or
three evenings a week away from
home, and Ina never reproached
him, AND invariably met him with
the cheerful smile.
AS he entered the darkened hallway
he heaved a sigh of thankfulness. All
was still. For the first time in their
year together there was no soft little
rush from the den upstairs, no dimpled
face thrust over the baEiSter to greet
him Yet such is the inconsistency of
man that at once an oddly neglected
feeling seized him. The knowledge
that Ina could have at last grown so
Indifferent as to go peacefully to bed
and to sleep while he was still stray
ing happily in the outer darkness of
the night came to him with something
of a shock.
He opened the bedroom door softly.
The bed had not been disturbed. He
passed into the dressing ROOM On the
bureau lay a note. He seized II III
something of panic.
Il have gone out" he read. I may
be late. Don't wait up.
THE deuce!" he muttered, even as
he breathed a gusty sigh of relief At
any rate it wasn't a tragedy-or a
Gone where?
At that moment the hall door closed
sharply Light footsteps mounted the
stairs A moment later Ina swept into
the room, neck and shoulder cleaning
in her prettiest gown, eyes sparkling,
cheeks flushed like a rose.
where have you been demanded
mas lord.
ssOut amusing myself returned Ina
f1ippantly She came over and kissed
him f'Poor boy" she cooed, have
you been waiting long? 1 told you to
go to bed"
II want to know where you've
been" persisted Jimmy doggedly.
do I ever ask where you've been ?''
mo, but that's different"
Yes, that's different mimicked
Ina.
Jimmy sat still. morosely regarding
her.
81 haven't done anything to bring
discredit to the sacred name of Lam
ning,'s she informed hiyns '1f that's
what you're afraid of. But I'm not
going to sit around here like a silly
dummy while you go off and have fun
I'm going to have some myself
In the days that followed curiosity
and suspicion tortured Jimmy. The
thing happened twice again in the next
week, but never could he force from
Ina the least inkling of where she had
been.
The third time he found the expla-
natory note on his dressing table he
turned and went swiftly downstairs
again. determined to watch for her re-
turn and discover what he could, but
just as he turned the corner of the
thought that she looked distinctly
startled and somewhat confused. He
strobe to the door and threw it open.
No one was in sight.
where have you been ?" he de-
manded angrily "and with whom?
insist on knowing"
Really? Well. if you must know
where I am in the evenings. Jimmy
dear. you'd better stay at home and
find out"
stay at home and find out. That
gave him an idea. To tell the truth
his convivial evenings abroad were be-
ginning to lose their zest now that his
suhconsciousnes s was robbed of the
peaceful picture of his wife sitting at
home in dreamy alteration, eagerly
waiting his return He was apt to
grow Trorose and depart early. For
Jimmy loved his wife sincerely in his
mans way. Relations began to grow
strained between him and Ina.
A few nights later he announced
that some of his old classmates were
having q reunion and that he would
be late getting back kissed Ina. tramp
ed down the stairs and banged the hall
door moment later he slipped into
the darkened reception room on the
right, drew a chair to the window fac
ing the street and sat down.
flow down trick to spy on her. he
nuttered, ssbut, by Jovel I've got to
know where she goes"
The minutes passed. Nine o'clock
me-ten-ten-thirty No sound
came from upstairs.
"Confound it," muttered Jimmy.
"Got fooled that time. Well, she won't
go out this late. Might as well go to
sleep till midnight and then let on 1
just got back"
He threw himself on a couch and
promptly slept
In the meantime Ina, lounging COM
fortabIy in an easy chair upstairs,
Derused her novel till the clock struck
eleven. Then she rose, slipped into her
dressing room and commenced an
elaborate evening toilet. About a
quarter to twelve, fully arrayed, she
drew a graceful evening wrap about
her, slipped softly down the back
stairs. then down another flight to the
basement drew comfortable wooden
rocker to one of the windows, which,
as in so many New York houses, were
on a level with the street, ensconced
herself with a good view of the en-
trance, and waited.
ITO think she giggled that he has
never once suspected. And it's wax
ing him I'D with a vengeance"
It was half-past one when Mr. Lam
ming awoke He crept to the window
and examined his watch by the light
of street lamp
HOLY Smoker he muttered, she'll
he All up in the air. Let's hope to
goodness she's as1eepi' He crept softly
into the hall still more softly Up the
stairs turned the handle Of the bed
room door and slipped IN. All was
silent. the bed undisturbed. and on his
dressing-table he saw the note.
Dismay gripped him. Then she had
gone out after ALI What fool he had
been to go to sleep And where could
she be at this hour? He opened the
ndow and leaned far out. No sign
AZ life anywhere. He paced up and