The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-30
THE EVENING STORY
Lieutenant snaythers.
(By Dorothy Douglas

Lieutenant Smythers, q. S. NJ. was
looking up an old schoolmate. It was
more or less of a mania with the
young Heutenant-this searching. in
companions with whom he had played
hockey from school IN the undim
med past Whether in China, South
America or on the Leaning Tower of
OF unearthing some ancient friend
ship. Not that the lieutenant was
guilty Of a gray hair among the red,
or line under the steel blue of his
eye; he had merely seen much of
the world in 3 short time.
It was in London that he learned
OF Karl Saunders. who was in New
ork making name for himself by
handling the bow and fiddle. Lieu
tenant Smythers then and there de-
cided to look up Saunders as soon as
he reached America.
He had not been in Annapolis for
two weeks before he found time to
run over to New York
"Sixty-eight West Fifty-seventh
street,
Lieutenant syrnthers glanced at the
card in his hand and then at the
building before which he stopped.
This seems to be the place" He
stepped within the vestibule of the
tirely to studios. and he looked over
the brass plate which bore the names
of its occupants.
tx Saunders" Lieutenant smyth-
third floor and dropped the heavy
knocker on the door, which bore a
small name plate engraved with the
name K. Saunders.
There was no resporse to his knock.
He knocked again, but apparently no
one was in.
It was not often that the lieutenant
came to New York, and he liked to
get what he went after when he did
go. He stood for moment hesitat-
ing then tried the handle of the
door, 1t opened. Lieutenant Smytf1v
ers went inside and closed the door.
Saunders must have stepped out for
only moment, and there was no
acquaintance waiting in his room.
When the lieutenant had thrown
himself down in the big coy chair
by the CRATE fire he started appre-
hensively. Saunders evidently was
married. A dainty work basket, over
with white embroidery lay on the
floor beside him. Lieutenant Smyth-
ers grew cold, and a damp perspira-
ton beaded his. forehead, Thought
lieutenant had himself pictured in the
startling colors of the yellow journals
first as a burglar. then in Saun-
ders divorce case. and last as a dis
honorably discharged naval officer.
AS the last overwhelming picture
arose before him the door opened.
His back was. toward the door and
he merely sank a little lower in the
chair SO that only the top of his
head was visible to the person who
had entered.
ooh. Karl! rye signed two years
contract with the Symphony! Isn't
that perfectly lovely?" Some one had
rushed over and with bubbling en-
thusiasm would have flung her arms
about his neck had not the lieutenant
faced the girl.
-"Oht Who in the world are you? ?"
The girl opened her startled eyes.
For the moment Lieutenant Snyth-
ers had no notion of who he was: he
beautiful girl with mass Of sun
burned hair and a pair of unafraid
gray. eyes.
He stood up and the girl could have
guessed from the square carriage OF
shoulders that he was OF military
rank.
IT am Lieutenant Smythers and
come over from. Annapolis to see
your husband. Karl Saunders"
The girls eyes gave him a quick.
81 have not seen Saunders for some
fifteen years and had not known he
was married: otherwise would not
have taken the liberty of entering to
await his arrival
Are you one of KarPs Cedar
we'll am from little getting
off place about five miles from there
Marion
ssFrom Marionl You are not by
have heard Karl speak 80 She cast
more or less impertinent glance at
the hair of Lieutenant Smythers'
head. SET feel quite certain you are"
\ Ill. - I'D
spirit of mischief. land now that I
am reasonably certain that you are
not a burgls.r will you not be seated.
My-Karl will not be long"
AS far as the lieutenant was con-
cerned Karl Saunders could stay
time shot dart after dart near the
region of Lieutenant Smythers' heart.
Had she been single woman ne
would have fed for his life: with
fought against the feminine invader.
Because he knew that surrender with
him would be unconditional. he
took greater pleasure in the society
of women to whom some other man
had surrendered, thereby making his
own position a safe refuge.
| Even so, a few more gl-nces from
those gray eyes, a few more of those
tones which sounded like music, or
another shock, such as he had ex-
hand touched his, and the lieutenant
would surrender regardless of bull
warks.
Hello, Kitty-Kati Oh. pardon me,
I didn't know you had callers!" The
voice of Karl Saunders broke in upon
silence that was beginning to hurt
well, bless me if it isn't Rufus
Smythers! 1 would have known that
carrot top anywhere!"
The girl bit her lips but a ripply
laugh escaped The two men were
soon deep in the memories of boy
hood days. The girl put in word
occasionally, but for the most part
| listened with eyes now wide, now
soft and always with that smile lurk-
ling in their depths or about the cor
ners of her lips. She arose after a
while and Lieutenant Smythers
watched her every movement, and
!. n min and ,r,ir-