The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-09

her typewriter and wrote letter that
made Gerald Thorne sit up and rub
was that his habitual lazy toilet was
fastened and SO upset was his inner
man that he left the house, in search
OF Robina Vale without his second cup
OF black coffee.
R0bina was rushing or q romance of
the Maine woods on her typewriter
when an imperious summons on the
teiepnone disturbed her train OF
tnougnt Upon answering, she learned
tnat Gerald Thorne was in the hall
below and would like to see her.
Send him upr' she said to the hall
boy. and turned from the telephone for
hasty glance into the mirror above
the mantei. One must look nfce-even
Tor literary robbers s. reflected. and
smiled at the unusually brillia--t beauty
her mirror cast back at her.
Hoolna was not so calm as she APP
peared when she led Thorne through
her small hall and into the tiny sitting
room. Had he been less gentle and
more aggressive in his manner she
would have been able to accuse him
Of stealing her stories. Instead. much
to her discomfort, she felt a wild -e-
sire to humble herself before him i'm
mediately.
His eyes were looking steadily into
her own, and Robina thought she de-
tected dreadful hurt somewhere in
their depths.
Il do not believe you took my
stores. she said quickly, and her
lips smiled involuntarily at the rush
OF light that swept away the hurt In
Thorne's eyes.
Thank you," he said, and sat back
as II contented with the world. Il have
already telephoned to the Era to take
my name from the stories and to put
your own"
Il will not have it!' cried Robina.
fns1 <xxy< int
her cheeks. She went to the telephone,
and before Thorne realized her tnten-
ton she had called for the Era Maya
zine." He sat still while Robina told
the amused editor that the Tiny
stories were a collaboration by Gerald
returned to the chair opposite her
guest and found herself rejecting that
Gerald Thorne fitted wonderfully into
her surroundings.
Now" he began quickly, Il must
tell you how it all happened; but first
must thank you for being SO generous
as to let my name remain on the
stories
You wrote Them" smiled Robina.
land that to me-is by far the heav-
lest end of the stick
Again. thank you,' laughed
Thorne, and while Robina lighted a
match to her percolator he told her
the story. About six or seven
months ago I was beginning to reach
the bottom of the well of despOnd.
My stories were not selling and my
brain seemed void plots. I was
living in a boarding house at the
tim and told my troubles to a fellow
lodger with whom had talked. He
had a gift of story telling and often
amused me with tales that I only half
believed. The fellow then and there
outlined a Sc -es of stories that he said
he had conceived while soaring in the
realms Of q champagne dream. 1 did
not for the moment doubt the origin
Of the character OF Tiny. because, as
say. the chap was good al yarns. I
have his address and have promised
him half II the check, which will be
$500. I am getting 500 each for
them.' 'st
Tell me- the mans name?" de-
manded Robina quickly. II think
can complete thenstory.'' 80
His name is,Henry~ Blakely.'' said
Thorne. and watched Robina's lips re-
peat the name.
IT knew it," she exclaimed. HE is
the man who stole my pocketbook
while he was calling on me. 1 never
did like his flce, and now 1 know
why
She smiled with wonderful sweet
ness. II feel very guilty about think
ing even for a second that you might
nave TAKEN my NOTEBOOK ana used NV
ideas, and also I feel that you rushed
through your breakfast this morning
after that dreadful letter 1 wrote
you.''
She turned from the steady regard
with which Thorne was favoring her
and placed cup under the spout of
the percOlator. $50 am going to
insist on giving you a cup of coffee
while piece together the rest of the
story for you. You are no doubt Curl
ous."
For the moment" said Thorne.
with. his slow smile, II am peculiarly
cOntented and curious only as to the
outcome of this oddly charming epi-
sOde in our lives.',
Perhaps we will collaborate on a
romance Robina stopped sud-
denly. overcome by embarrassment.
Never mind.'' laughed Thorne
softly, Il seem also to see the threads
OF romance trailing toward the looms
Of fate"
He looked into Robina's eyes as she
handed him a fragrant cup of coffee.
-(Copyright 1914 by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
HCMORS OF, LAW.
We laugh at old Wouter Van Twiller
Whose mode Of deciding a case
was to go by the looks and the weight of
the books
winch the lawyers brought into his
place.
We jest at his manner of judging