The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-28
TIE EVENING STORY
Mysteries of State.
By Annie Hinrichsen.1

stone walk that led to the entrance to
the state house. The full moon shone
on the massive pile. No lights could be
seen in the building.
In the shadows of the vast portico
stood a young woman Swiftly hut
| without a SOUND, she tiptoed to a flight
of steps which led into the basement of
the capitol. At the foot of the
steps she opened a small door. She
, passed through a long corridor and I'D
the marble steps that led to the main
| floor.
The building was in darkness except
for an occasional patch of moonlight
keeping close in the shadows she
assembled the stairs to the second floor,
one on which were the offices Of the
state officials. At the end of a corri-
dor she stepped into a sharp angle
formed by a jutting pillar.
Walking as noiselessly as She Ar
thur Moore followed her. He stopped
by the pillar.
WHO are you?" he. asked in low
whisper.
There was no answer.
Come out of that corner and ,et me
see your face"
The girl stepped into patch of moon
light and turned so that the light
through the great windows at the end
of the corridor shone full upon her
Carol Burton, What are you doing
here?"
IT shall not tell you" Her voice was
calmly defiant.
81 shall stay here until find out"
She walked to marble bench near
the door and sat down. You will have
to remain long time
Il shall not find the waiting tire
some" He sat down beside her..
Carol" he said presently, what
part have you, girl of gentle breed
ing and womanly sweetness, in this
IL
most charming woman in the capital.
Your father is a prominent member of
the legislature. Why do you take part
in the schemes. plots and strategies
that lie beneath the surface of the rol-
iticaI life?''
do take such a part?''
You cannot explain your presence
here alone at this hour. AS 1 came up
the walk I saw you standing near the
basement door and I followed you.
Carol, tell me why you are here
"A trained intrigante tells no secrets.
Perhaps / am Spy-perhapS a thief"
Let me take you away from here.
Your mission must not be carried out.
I know what it is. 1t is not the work
for woman
'I shall do it, nevertheless"
Carol" he said gently, II love you.
I cannot let you do the work you are
planning to do Some one has forced
this upon you, has told you that the
reputation and the liberty of some of
the leaders of your fathers party are
al stake There are men who are cow
ardly enough to let a woman do this.
But you shall not do it. Go and tell
them that you were seen here. that you
could not carry out their plans
II shall not
You shall co., his voice rang out.
You shall not do this thing. I shall
take YOU from here now if / have to
carry you You dare not call the
watchmen. Will you come quietly or
shall I take you by force? am a
strong man; you are slip of a girl"
He picked her up as if she had been
child. Her arms went around his
neck and she laid her cheek against
his She was laughing softly and her
voice was hardly more than a whisper
near his ear. But it was a whisper
which held joy and tenderness. In his
amazement he almost dropped her.
From the rotunda there came the
muffled sound of men walking stealth
lily. Carol and Burton slipped back into
the dark angle behind the pillar.
Two men came down the corridor !
Their coat collars were turned up
around their ears and their hats were
pulled over their eyes. They entered
the suite directly opposite that of the
secretary of state. 1t was the suite
of the state treasurer.
For several minutes Carol and Bur- |
ton waited in the corner. The two
men reappeared and hurried quietly
away
Zones and Strong" Burton said. |
.aThey came to do the work which |
I thought YOU had come for. You did |
not intend to enter the treasurer's Of |
flee? Answer, Carol.
Il had nothing to do with the af- |
fair of the treasurer'S office.
ssWhat a villain / was to misjudge |
YOU The state treasurer died sudden |
ly this morning Immediately upon |
learning of his death the state audi
tor acting under the law, sealed all |
the papers of the treasurer'S office. |
After the funeral the seals will be re- |