The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-10
TIE EVENING Story


,
Drucilla cast a furtive glance at the
toe of her shabby little boot in order
to make sure that it was not pro-
truding beyond the hem of her skirt.
An envelope was lying on the floor
of the subway car at her feet. Dru-
ella stopped and picked it up. The
envelope was sealed and not empty.
There were few persons in the car
and DruciIIa felt herself unObserVed.
She turned the envelope over and
over in her hands, then she slipped
her finger under the flap and pcereG
in.
Drucilla's wide, brooding eyes lit
up, startled out of their habitual
/ vague dreams. There was money in
the envelope. She cast a surreptitious
glance at the numbers in the corners
of the bills. There We're two tens and
and thrust it well within her own
pocketbook and gave herself up to
multitudinous thoughts.
Elation, quickly followed by probes
from her conscience and quick sue
cession of the urgent needs she had
for the money, chased through the
girls mind.
Down deep in her consciousness
there was the certain knowledge that
she would seek to find the owner of
1 the money, but for the present that
truth was swamped in the joy of hav-
ing twenty-five dollars in her hands.
needed lessons in sight reading that
she could now have. Her glorious
voice, the training for which she
went without many lunches, was lit
tie good to her from a monetary
standpoint until she could read music
And a position was essential within
the next year or SO. Until then, with
| overzealous saving, she could exc out
her tuition
She had just passed a window in
which was displayed a beautiful set
of red fox furs. Drucilla realized
without conceit, that with her face
framed in the shade so nearly resem-
bling her hair, and her eyes only the
shadows in the color scheme, it would
be hard for either choirmaster or
manager to turn her away.
She smiled Whimsically- Appear
ance was a valuable asset.
On her way from the subway TO the
small room that Drucilla called home
she was haunted by the fear that she
was being followed and that the
precious money would be taken from
her, and by the more terrible feeling
that she was fleeing from capture
with stolen money in her hands.
In the privacy of her room she took
out the bills and made an examina-
ton of the envelope There seemed
to be no writing-nothing upon which
to hang an. identification clew.
Yes! Drucilla was guilty of sudden
irritation. There was writing on the
flap of the envelope.
Property of c. Drayton. 500 Clair
mont avenue" DruciAa read. She
sighed, but smiled whimsically again.
my dreams We're short lived, and be-
cause they were so vivid I had better
go Immediately to Clairmont avenue
before they become realities.
She dOnned her coat without stop
ping to make a much needed cup of
tea.
Drucilla's heart was lighter as she
made her way to the heights by the
Hudson. Her dreams had been pleas
ant while they lasted.
Upon arriving at NO COS, Drucilla
inquired of the elevator boy and
learned that G. Drayton was on the
ninth floor. She sent up word over
the phone that she was in possession
of a package. and was shown up.
maid ushered her into the draw
ing room, and the girl was obliged to
roundings until Mrs Drayton made
her appearance.
Drucilla arose when a sweet. moth
erlv looking woman entered.
Have you found that foolish en-
velOpe2" she asked kindly, and Dru-
ella liked her the moment she spoke
Her startled eyes. however, made the
older woman continue in q deDreca-
ting voice: ''The dropping of that
money in the subway was the result
of a wager made between my husband
and my son. My son. Carroll, made
the statement that he would like to
see the person who would return
money that had been found. and my
husband took him UP on a $25 wager
that rsne persons out of ten would re-
turn it, Mrs. Drayton turned toward
the door, Here is my foolish boy
now" she said fondly. and rose to
greet a tall, laughing man whose look
betokened frank admiration for his
mothers guest.
"Oh, sect he laughed, "sone one
And returned supplemented Mrs.
Drayton. ''Miss=Verney-I think I
caught the name, my SON.
oddly enough, both Drayton and |
Drucflla were conscious of being hap |
by when their hands clasped. Neither |
was embarrassed.
s"Then you made me lose my wag-
err" Drayton chided her
ssI came very near=not-doing So |
Drucilla laughed. you have no idea /
what dreadful temptations I threw
off"
Drayton and his mother exchanged |
chances. and for the first time each |
noticed the shabby little brown suit /
and the brave but rather wan smile !
that struggled behind the fine eyes.
And because they seemed to want |
it. the girl told them her story of /
study and ambitions and of the strug- |
giles. Her smile was wistful when /
she finished
could you sing US one little song?' !
Mrs. Drayton asked. and in her ques-
ton voiced her sons desire
Drucilla cast a startled glance at I
the grand piano and its distance from I
her chair She felt strangely weak |
about the knees. If only she had taken
time to have her tea she could have |
sung for these two friendly people. AS
It was. she only gazed hesitating at the |