The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-08
TIE EVENING STORY
The Closed Door.
(By Temple Bailey.)

by Tempe bdllSS-J
Through his open window Bernard
could hear the sound of woman
weeping He leaned out into the 81
lent summer night.
who is it?'' he asked, softly Can
I be of service?
There was silence for moment
then a timid voice responded:
IF you could only let me IN
Wait" Bernard whispered, and
went down and opened the door,
A girl stood outside. She was all
in white and wore her satiny dark
hair wound youthfully about her head
There were signs of tears on her
cheeks.
ssWill you come in?" Bernard asked.
she shrank back. "Oh. no, 1 did
not mean that 1 wanted to come INTO
your house. 1t is this other door that
is closed against me-
With her hand she indicated the
door adjoining, which led into the
next house. MY uncle, she explained
has locked me out. He wants me TO
do a thing I will not do, and until L
consent he says I shall not come into
his house What shall I do
Have you any friends?" Bernard
s.Not one she answered. 1--WE came
here month ago and have met no
one, and until you came yesterday the
house you live in was empty II he
turns me out I shall be homeless
Have you any money!" Bernard
"Yes; he gave me some. But it is 50
dark, I dare not go to a hotel at this
time of night. I am afraid
"And you can not stay here-f my
housekeeper had not gone-but I'll
find a way He smiled down at her.
ooh, if you could she cried hope
fully.
s.Is your uncle inn" he asked.
Yes, but his room is in the front of
the house. This is the garden en-
trance. 1 know he is there, because
1T f17fa 1Tsa1
as he bends over his book
Good" said Bernard. come in
here with me, and I'll find you way
to your room. and when you get there
you can go to bed III the dark, and he
will never be wiser. And in the morn
ing you can come over here again, and
we will plan together"
He led the way to the second story.
It was an easy matter for him to lift
her over the high railing to the porch
which separated the two houses.
Good night he said, and in the
dark she whispered. THANK you so
very much and left him tingling with
the pleasure of her praise
He was ready and waiting when at
dawn she crept out on the porch to
be lifted back to his side and escorted
downstairs. where he had a pot OF col
fee toast and eggs waiting for her
I'VE will have some breakfast, he
said. then we will hunt up my moth
er's old housekeeper- She married
farmer and lives about half mile out
7 am afraid I shall have to ask you
she walked by his side through the
unawakened streets lightly and fear
lessly I'm so glad to get away, she
said as she looked back at the closed
door which had so relentlessly shut
her out. IT shall never come back If
I can find anything to do"
telling me why you were shut out?"
She blushed. He wanted me to
marry man I don't like" she said.
Uncle has strange ideas He says
Not for you" he cried. looking
down at the lovely face appraised to
his. the gray eyes with shadowy
lashes. the FURNISHED hair. Not for
YOU
said NO, finally and sent the man
away. And uncle was furious and
turned me out.
1T would serve him right if we
sbon1d brighten him a bit wouldn't it?"
on the farm he will wonder what has
become of you. OF course he expects
to find YOU back this morning begging
at the door
same dav he saw the old man walking
restlessly in the garden
ssFIave you seen my niece2" he aues-
toned suspiciously, IS Bernard came
up
II heard some one last night sobbing
In the garden" said the young man.
1T was Lois said the other II
meant to play "a joke on her She
must have taken me seriously and gone
away"
what was your joker Bernard
questioned gravely-
Il made her think I was angry, and
locked the door on her.
Bernard looked toward the river that
flowed s1uggishly at the foot of the
garden
sshe might have gone that way" he
said.
The old man cIutched at his arm.
You don't mean-you don't mean-he
.swho knOwss. said the astute Ber-