The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-29
THE EVENING STORY

fBy Harmony Weller.)

Irma came hurriedly out of the bis
department. store and glanced along
the street She looked at her small
timepiece and her brows puckered.
1T is late already" she said to
herself, and made straightway for
the snotor car which stood at The
curb. Irma supposed it was a taxi.
! Drive me quickly to % Riverside
drive" she commanded the chauf-
The man cast a quizzical glance at
the dainty person who had taken him
for taxi driver.
did you hear what 1 said Pc in
quired Irma. half impatiently.
"YeS-misS." The man touched mis-
cap, and with another odd smile that
irritated the girl he stepped out to
crank his machine.
Irma settled herself with a little
flutter of exhaustion into the corner
and took out her list of purchases.
So intent was she upon making out
her rather large expense account that
| she did not glance up until she real
lied that motor had swung in to the
curb at 90 Riverside drive.
She glanced quickly up to see, from
| the indicator, what her fare was Her
| blood seemed suddenly to rush over
her being in a hot wave. Had she
| deliberately stepped into private
motor? There was no indicator and
no For Hire ticket on the front of
Irma stepped out and faced the
| chauffeur tHow much do owe
you?" she asked. trying not to color
| under the very steady eyes of the
good looking driver. THE indicator
! is not there"
She stood there, her lovely ewes
seeming to challenge him to tell her
| she had made a mistake. Yet stir
| ring within her was a desire to re-
mans eyes. Because of that desire
Irma repeated her demand. will
you kindly tell me how much owe
your"
her eyes the driver fabricated quick
ly. my indicator is in the repair
shop. Since I have no idea Of the
distance we will forget the fare"
1--WE will do nothing of the kind"
contradicted Irma. She opened her
great Cavalier bag and drew forth
81 bill THAT is about what l gen
orally pay she said, and extended
the money.
ct refuse to take it,
Irma looked back at him for mo-
ment, conscious that her cheeks were
flaming and her eyes sparkling.
of the motor and flung the money
within. %'If you want to do the taxl
people out of their money there is no
reason why I should help you, sne
ssid and went into the house. TT
pleased her to notice that the driver
was angry. He swung his machine
around SO suddenly that for SECOND
it was about to turn turtle, but 1t Kept
the drive.
When If was well out of sight Nor
man MacVane stopped his motor ana
stepped out. He opened the door, pick
ed up the bill that Irma Vickery had
thrown therein, folded it carefully and
put it in his waistcoat pocket He
smiled as he did so, but there was
lurking irritation in the smile
He cranFed the engine, jumped IN
and whirled at the speed limit BACK
to the shop where he had come.
An irate sister was waiting there
with yes that flashed indignantly at |
sWhere in the world have you been % |
she asked reproachfully
If Grace noticed the flush on her
brothers face she supposed it was due
to her scolding.
lyon said you would be about 80 |
minutes" he told her. because he did /
not know exactly how to mention his /
escapade. II am awfuliy sorry, but you
see. Sis, / am not used to -chauflng.'
Where to now?''
Grace smiled at her big. cookbook
ing brother. "I want to go up to Lii
Tvs for tea-but it is rather late"
'sAnd where does Lilly happen to
live?''
"O9 Riverside drive
Norman started and changed color.
Then he smiled. Perhaps? Yes,
nerhaps he might see his dainty fare"
again.
tea he said without thinking.
fortunately, Grace had been getting
into her motor and his words had fallen
on deaf ears
Again Norman stopped at 09.
ssDear," Grace told him sweetly, eff
Won have anything else to do you need
not call for me at 5. I can take the
IT have nothing else to do, SIS
Norman told her with surprising alacri-
~ az will be here promptly at s."
Irma vickery had been sitting in
the window She started and leaned
forward as Grace McVane alighted
ed The driver was her own special
chauffeur and Grace had not even
offered to pay him.
Trma sank back with relief. 1t would
he much easier to feel that she had
unconsciously used the motor of a
friend than that of a stranger. Irma |
glanced out again and blushed violent
Iv. The chauffeur had seen her in the
window and with swift motion had |
insured her secrecy Dy pressing ringer
to his lips
The machine glided or and Irma |
turned to greet the newcomer.
ssYou are so late, Grace" Lilly said |
by way of welcome.
at have a new chauffeur" explained |
Grace, with peculiar smile. He kept /
me waiting while was shopping. Oh. /
have the dearest new frocki 1 must /
tell you all about it," And Grace went |
forthwith into a long description OF /
her latest extravaEance. not knowing