The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-13
TIE EVENING STORY
Southern Invasion.
rthur w. Peach.

| gOatee and looked at his sister sober
ly. Il am called away, Lucia; I've
got to go south for a week, and 1 am
going to put Avery into your very
capable hands. I want you to see
that nothing comes to a head. There
are four or five young fellows about
this city that would run off with ner
bodily, L do believe. She would be
willing to fall in love with them for
the fun of it. L want her to meet
none of them. Hold on, there's young
Gregory at Branum's. l will think
about it, and if 1 decide to give him
i open sesame I'll let you know
Miss Lucia set her lips. Il shall
! take good care of the witch. She will
! be further away from an engagement
! than she is now when you get back,
! VAN
Good! 1 don't want to be crank
about it, you know, but 1 don't want
! some of these chaps that l do not re-
spect to bob up. L told young Greg
! Dry to stay away, and he's obeyed;
! that's why L think 1 may lift the en-
! barge on him until I am back. Any
way, don't let chap in unless he has
my permission in writing"
Avery, dark-haired, dark-eyed and
with the light of witchery cleaning
in her eyes, came into the room to
bid her father goodbye.
| Father, I'm going to have a glori-
Gus time when you're gone!" she said.
''Oh, I'll lead Auntie a dance!"
My dear, danced you on my knee
| once-so look OUT Miss Lucia said.
Yes. child, be good" her father
urged.
/ Avery laughed. ct shall do as I'm
! told" she answered.
, Her father looked at her and shook
| his head.
The news evidently worked out and
around Avery's devoted circle of suit
ors about evening time, for there was
a succession of telephone calls, all of
| VIII
all of which were soon ended with
| the information that Avery was to
rest during her fathers absence and
! not take up her social engagements
until his return.
A maid came into Miss Lucia's room
! bearing a card and smiling a little.
Miss Lucia, there is a gentleman at
the door who would like to see Miss
/ Avery, but wishes to see you first"
| Miss Lucia took the card and read,
! Sidney Langdon." She knew no one
| of that name, but the engraving of the
card was artistic work and costly, and
! she decided she would go down and
| meet him.
Miss Lucia went into the reception
room, her head up, and encased in
her most freezing manner. A tall,
with smiling eyes rose to meet her.
After the first few formal words
| he explained his errand. Miss Lucia,
my father was a great friend of Mr..
| I had just come to the city by steam
| er and met him as he was going out.
| I told him who I was, and, in fact, he
recognized me. He was in a great
| hurry, and gave me this slip of pa
! per, on which he scrubbed all he had
time to-
The young fellow removed from a
seal wallet. with great care. a slip of
paper and handed it to Miss Lucia.
She took it with cold hand, but with
weakening inside. She had been
examining the caller and decided he
was one of the handsomest young men
she had ever seen; but she had her
duty to perform and she was going to
do it.
used by her brother in his personal note
Book On the slip was scribbled: This is
Sidney Langdon. Please take him III
Van Vert"
She studied it moment. deciding
enough, however. She was removed from
any responsibility by the note.
How long are you going to be IN the
city?'' Miss Lucia asked.
I am at the Paramount club just now
we shall be glad to make you wei
ana paused, for upstairs just over them
was the sound of something falling to TIE
floc She knew it was Avery, making it
known that she would like to meet the
unknown visitor.
Lucia covered the noise with a remark,
ter do and called up the wide stairs
Avery. your father has sent us a son OF
one of his old friends. Come down..
Just a n1inuten a clear, sweet voice
half sang, half chanted.
And she came down the broad stairs, q.
little picture of beauty against the golden
oak of the great stairs.
The young fellows clear, friendly eyes
were bright with welcome and admira-
ton.
In the days that followed Langd On
became n regular and persistent visitor.
Miss Lucia knew al the moment of their
meeting it was to be case of love at
first sight and she was not surprised
when the confession came from Avery
that he had asked her and she had cor
sented to be his own.
Lucia was pleased, for she had learned
to like the young fellow; but she fear u
her brother.
Fate brought him in an hour after the
confession, and Avery told him. Van
Vert cast down his cane, and storm ed
Lucia, what does this mean2 had con-
fidence in you
But YOU sent note"' his sister cr1eG.
half fainting. She explained the details
THE rascal I did meet him. and
scrubbed that note; but L intended it Tor
Moss al the office l told, or thought
dill the fellow TO take it to Moss, and he
| would see that things We're gone rlght'
but here he marches up hereH
Langdon came into the room. Mr. Van
Vert, / understood what that slip was
for: ] made myself known at the office,
and was treated well | DIDN'T think OF
tho note, to be frank, until learned froU1
Gregory there, how you had left things
and-about Avery. I had heard father
sneak of her, and 1 made up my mind tic
see her: when l saw her. 1 made up NY
mind to win her-and have! All we
Van Vert held out his hands. You
have it. If L said no, you'd get her any