The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-01
The EVENING STORY
For the HEROINE.

/ at Harney'S Oftener than he could
we'll afford because the place was so
! to be sure but either in family par
/ ties, or properly escorted; that is to
say, for the most part He had once
or twice before seen the lone female
in search of meal, but only once or
twice.
This afternoon the lone woman was
particularly upsetting. He had come
rather early - the day had been bis
/ tering - intent upon getting his pet
table just beside the fountain. There,
if anywhere, one caught a breath of
breeze, moreover the water-play made
the air fresh, and the big skylight
overhead was sure to be open. The
tiny table was hardly big enough for
two. Why had he not seized upon
Cram or Hardy, and made them come
in With him Then he might have
smoked his cigar, slipping his coffee
the While, at peace with all the world.
All this flashed upon him between
lines of the sporting extra in which
he affected to be buried But even a
double-header at the local park could
not last longer than through the in
tervaI of waiting. He had refused
the regular dinner, ordering what he
chose The woman would be sure to
go right through all the courses, else |
affront masculine appetite with iced
tea and chocolate cellars.
covert glance told him his table |
mate had not the chocolate eclair
complexion. Her skin was fine and
firm. Her hair looked alive-fine ten
drills dropped on her brow and about
the nape of her neck. She was quiet
ly gowned, in q soft sheer gray some
thing almost entirely lacking trim
mings. The lack recommended her to
Edison. He was an illustrator, with
aspirations toward real art. Good
lines-and she knows enough not to
spoil them he commented idly, not
ing the while that the sleeves. neither
too tight nor too loose, reveal ed
something rare-a pair of perfect
dimpled wrists. Neither gloves nor
bangles marred them. Indeed the lack
freshing. Edison began to feel that |
after all Fate had been kind kinder |
than he deserved. Here was just the
type he had been vainly seeking for a
week-the girl in Graham 5 novel, /
about whom the author himself was
so particular
He wondere if he could recall her. !
If he had dared he would have |
sketched her outline upon his cuff. |
She did rot seem to be watching him. (
Yet he was aware she knew pretty /
much what he did. She had answered |
graciously enough the few common
places he had ventured without in
any way inviting their continuance.
Evidently she had come for a dinner
of herbs. Her meal began with canta-
loupe and ended with sliced peaches
a double portion. In between there
were green corn and a crisp salad.
And by way of finale coffee, for which
Harney's was rather famous.
The two came to coffee at the same
time, though she had eaten delicately
with a refined elaboration. Edison
fingered his cigar a thought irreso
lutely. She smiled and said - the
first time she had spoken unpro-
voked: Light it. please-f you can
say honestly it is good. Otherwise,
please wait until get away.
I wonder if you really know a
good cigar" Edison answered, smiling
the least bit
She nodded confidently. My father
taught me observation-disclosures men and
she said. $50 I have an in
convenient belief that neither is worth
while. if mediocre.
Doesn't the belief make you
rather solitary" Edison hazarded
She shook her head-Edson went on
Possibly then. you are a woman's
Another head shake interrupted
him II am=mostly-a human be
ing" she said. IT have a shell. of
course=for self prOtection-but most
times leave it at home
Dare 1 hope you left it this time ."
Edison asked.
She looked at him doubtfully. half
a second then said with a faint
shrug: Isn't 1t too hot for shells of
BY way of answer Edison laid his
card in front of her She did not
glance at it until she had paid her
check. Even then it was no more
than a glance.
It knew you, anyway-your picture
is 50 often in the advertising pages"
she said with another little shrug. Il
have to pay attention to them" she
explained. f'since advertising means
my bread and butter"
Il see, A hopeless plutocrat - in
spite Of your dinner of herbs" Ed
son answered.
She laughed softly, 4 like only the
herbs which cost real money she
said. THAT reminds me-your cigar
wants lighting. Make haste, please
must be going in a minute, and I am
really curious as to the sort Of weed
YOU fancy
7 would rather show you the sort
cooking straight at her. Il won't ask
your name, much as I should like to
know it-but since you are reasonably /
secure that I'm neither a pirate nor
I am asking you to go with
ne to an open-air AS You Like It
uckly I have cards
That viii be very much as I like
t." the girl said dimplingly. Il was
lust wondering what to do with N.Y.
self
But she gave neither her name nor
any clew to her identity-Edson was
Diqued into a deeper, keener interest 7
BY her evident reserve. 1t would be :
lwkward. if he met people he knew
t was likely he might run across a
ct Notwithstanding, he was game
-Txr = x-e,f