The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-04
The Evening Story
Duo At 1870.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)

Due At 4:2O.
(By Clarissa Ma ckie.)
You will have to meet Max for me.
Rena," declared Lydia North as she
drew on her gloves. 81 have written
him so much about you that there can
not be any embarrassment when you
explain that have been called to town
for the day. II mothers neuralgia had
only stayed away twelve hours longer
need not have bothered you, but the
poor dear cannot be disturbed today.
So you go down to the station when
the 4:20 train is due, and II you see
big clumsy, handsome looking Ger
man, you will know 1t is my Max! If
you miss him, Child she added trag-
ically, there will not be any wedding
next Wednesday!'
What a horrible responsibility you
have placed upon me-" laughed Mrs.
Wing but how can greet Professor
Schultz II do not know one word OF
German-unless he speaks English"
Very Httle." admitted Lydia. You
know I can rattle OF German as fast
as you can French-Max is going to
study English after the wedding"
II will Go my best for you. Lydia"
sighed the pretty widow. IT can, at
least, smile upon your professor"
and perhaps after awhile mother can
see him. Just meet him at the sta
ton and see that he gets here safely.
that's sll. Turn him into the library
and give him all my latest photo
graphs-and he won't know whether
you're in the house or notr'
/ Lydia ran on laughing. and Rena
smiled a goodbye from the window a.
the motor car rolled down the drive.
Then she went to Mrs. North's room,
but was relieved to find that suffering
lady fast asleep. She went to the Ii
tionary and tried to study some suit
able form Of greeting for the expected
fiance Of her hostess.
ct can never. never remember a
word.'' she groaned. II shall try
French upon him. and i be does not not
Gnse."
At 1 o'clock Rena Wing. charming
study in blue, entered the North motor
and was carried away to the railroad
station.
IA train was drawing in from the
west, and Rena watched for q man who
would fill Lydia's description Of her
expected lover.
"a big, clumsy, handsome German!
There he is-looking SO confused. as II
he expected to see Lydia'e sweet face;
All! he looks this way" Rena smiled
and nodded cordially.
The man hesitated a moment. then
approached her with barred head. Il
am DIR. Schultz, he said, with a Ger
man accent. II was expecting Miss
North's car
Lydia sent me to meet you-she
has been called to town for the day.
I am Mrs Wing. Home, David!"
DR.. Schultz admired the scenery
about Deep River and compared 1t
with some spot on tire picturesque
River Ems of his own country He
inquired after Mrs. North and was
concerning to hear Of her indisposi-
ton.
II have met both mother and
daughter in Berlin-as you may I'M
agine," he added as an afterthought i.
quaint in thus describing his rapid
courtship of Mrs. North's daughter.
She could not help feeling a vague un-
dercurrent of discomfort that Lydia
was to have this splendid German
giant for her husband. There was
something very charming about his
old-world manner. his slow speech and
his deep-toned laughter.
Arrived at the house, RenA found
that Mrs. North was still sleeping, SO
she carried DIR. Schultz off to the IL
brary and with a mischievous recol-
lection Of Lydia's last Injunction. she
brought out the various photographs
OF Lydia.
This is Lydia in the gown she
wore at the Dirland's ball" explained
Rena. isn't she a dear in that? So
stately and fart"
| '.So!" murmured Schultz softly as
he laid it aside. Lydia is very fair
and lovely
i "And this is Lydia on her favorite
horse. Kaiser-named in compliment
to your ruler"
sol" murmured Schultz again.
To Rena's evaporation the eyes of
DR.. Schultz carelessly surveyed each
portrait of Lydia North, only to return
to Rena's own fair face. Il shall leave
him alone wit hthem," declared Rena
at last. She excused herself and went
up to her room.
The dear man." she said softly.
He has learned English in order to
surprise LYDIA don't believe the
girl knew that he had mastered it.
He speaks well-and he ia fascinating.
don't wonder Lydia il enthusiastic
over her German giant"
Later Rena dent to the library,
where she had ordered coffee served.
She found DR. Schultz awaftin her
His questions about America, his boy
ish interest In all matters pertaining
to this new country, his praise Of the
great steamship which had brought
him from Hamburg, all absorbed
4 Rena's attention.
| She quite forgot Lydia was to ar
rive to o'clock and it was apparent
that DR.. Schultz had also forgotten the
expected arrival Of his fiancee, for he
never mentioned her name.
Rena had found Lydia's photographs
all hudd1ed in a heap on the table.
! while Schultz had been earnestly re-
Rarding her own portrait in frame on
/. the mantel piece This was as embar-
/ raising az It was flattering to Lydia's
friend.
| There was q hustle of arrival in the
hall but they did not hear II.
x1sesa a&sse.la ~ srdSa North f0m oR6 Halr