The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-16
The EVENING STORY
The TelI-Tale Record.


her head around alertly.
''Cary-my goodness! Did you go
to the front door-and ring the bell!
Never approached anybody's house
in that conventional manner laughed
the young man in natty blue serge
and a rakish Panama hat. But why
that particular question in greeting!
Ssh! 1 know it sounded funny,
but my first thought-why, Minna 5
here! She's upstairs now. I thought
if you had rang the bell
1.-The deuce, Harriet! If I'd known
we'll there's a train back to little OLD
New York in about 80 minutes
Young Alvord retreated with his face
solemn and drawn into wrinkles OF
annoyance. His cousin followed him
to the steps of the back porch, busting
her hands lightly, one against the 9TH
er.
I'm so sorry. Cary. L had no idea
you would spring in on in this way.
And Minna came yesterday most UNI
expectedly."
Mrs. Pen spoke in suppressed tones
and Cary lowered his own voice to a
whisper when he answered.
Don't worry. You couldn't help 1T.
It's a bit awkward; but we shant
meet. She needn't know I came here
at ALL Harriet"
Il know you don't want to see her.
And she isn't pining for my So
ciety."
"Oh, no; Minna's very bitter She
won't even speak of you; and once,
when your name was mentioned by
chance, she positively froze. Cary I
believe she hates youl Shes aWfully
intense, you know"
Il know" The young mans lips
twisted in a smile, slightly hooking.
The memory of that last interview
with Minna in a rage was still fresh.
Intense seemed the proper word for
- 49,
Yet-in her softer moods-how lovely,
how alluring she could be!
Mrs. Pell, looking into her cousin 8
darkened face, gave little sigh. HOW
these two young persons, once such
doting lovers, had grown into fierce,
chilling enmityi
Harriet! Harriet
A full musical voice came from the
upper hall.
Goodness! She's coming down! You
can't go round the house now she
whispered breathlessly. In here
Cary. I'll coax her into the garden
and then
She pushed her visitor into a shall
low closet under the stairs and slipped
into the living room. Through the door,
which refused to close, Cary could see
the white-gowned figure that fiuttered
down the stairs and across the hallway.
The main entrance of the living room
was in line with his hiding place; and
his eager eyes followed every motion
of his one-time sweetheart.
She carried something in her hand,
and she went to the cabinet that stood
between the windows.
Il want you to hear the new record
I brought with me- she said. TT is
a great favorite of mine.
To conceal her nervous agitation Mrs.
Peu was stepping around the room ar
ranging bits of bric-a-brac and dra-
I he S1innPd d.
joining dining room.
I'll give Dicky bird his morning
bath while you play for us, Minna,"
she said carelessly.
Minna slipped the new record into
place. and the next instant the SOFT
sweet photographic music stirred the
air Behind the closet door there was
an uneasy movement as the young
man in hiding recognized the opening
bars of Strelezki's Happy Days. Min
mas favorite? Why, that was his IA
vorite! He had always asked her to
sing it for him, and she had always
sung it with appealing fervor.
/ Carys heart 1eaped now at the old
familiar strains. Why had Minna
brought that record here? Why
should she even wish to hear the song
again-the favorite song of the man
she hated? Bewildered and racked
by conflicting emotions, he pressed
his face to the narrow opening and
peered out into the room opposite.
Minna was standing beside the
cabinet with dropping shoulders and
bowed head. A shaft of light shot
across her white draperies and warm
tinted brown braids. Her profile
looked sad; and, as Cary watched.
she raised her hands and pressed
them tragically together
called Mrs. PelI. I've heard it be-
fore, but I can't place it. Do you
sing it, Minna?"
A moments silence, and the record
began a second round of melody.
Happy Days''-what mockery,
thought Cary, more upset by the un-
expected entertainment than he would
have cared to admit. Then. Minna's
rich voice softly took up the refrain
and blended with the soprano tones
that rose above the plaintive strains
of the violin and the throbbing means
of the cello. She sang a few bars,
and her voice broke suddenly.
Minna crying-piaying and singing
his favorite song and cryingi It was
the most perplexing thing that had
ever happened to him. A sudden light
seemed to fill the stuffy, dark little
closet under the stairs Then, Mrs
PelTs voice broke the spell.
'I want you to see my pansies
Minna- They're coming along SPLEEN
didly.'
The two, women passed out into the
little garden. Cary knew that he had
been given the signal for departure.
This was his chance to disappear.
The way was clear. He would have
! just time to catch his train The
| closet door swung open cautiously.
In the garden Mrs. Pell was leading
her guest from the house. She looked
at Minna furtively. How very lovely
| the girl was in that tender, reflective
mood, with her brilliant eyes softened
to velvety blue tints.
Suddenly the white-gowned figure
stood stiffly erect, with head uplifted