The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-07

| The EUeni11g Story
One Saturday Afternoon.
(By Jane Rodman Groves.)
Phyllis! Phyllis! Phyllis where
are you? Where in the world has that
Carolyn Woods stood in the door
way of the deserted nursery and list
ened. There was not q sound In the
house.
Then outside the siren of . passing
down again. Something in the sound
made her uneasy. Adventuresome
little Phyllis and her danger from
motors was an inexhausttble mine of
Since the beginning of her visit four
weeks ago. Carolyn had heard it until
she had lost patience. 1t was "Shut
the gate. Carry. 30 the baby cannot
get into the street." or katie. when
you take Miss Phyllis out be sure to
hold her hand"
You are foolish to worry 80 much
about her." Carolyn remarked one day
to her sister.
well. Garry. it need not worry you.
I have never asked you to take care OF
her, have II"
But the day came when she had to
do 1t.
Carolyn loved the child. but indeed
she saw little Of her. The pretty guest
OF the Martins was very popular, and
since her arrival had been feted every
where. The odd hours not filled by
golf, tennis. parties or returning calls
were usually occupied by a very good
looking successful young attorney by
the name of PeirsOn Latshaw.
It seemed altogether likely that
when she went home she would leave
her heart behind and take his with
her.
When Carolyn came home today at
! noon, disheveled and flushed from
| victory at tennis, Mrs. Martin met her
at the door, frantically imparting the
news that every maid in the house had
| left, including Katie, the nurse, with
| out an instant's notice.
as we can hunt up bite of luncheon.
shall have to go down town to an
| employment office and you will have
| to look after baby. Will you?"
Sure. What time will you be
homer
about 3. Why?"
because there Is to be a ball game
between the lawyers and doctors TINS
afternoon and Pierson asked me II
would go. He Is going to pitch for the
keep Phyllis. There will be plenty OF
| time. When she is having her nap, l
can wash my head. 1t is too hot to go
down town for a shampoo anyway. :
Phyllis into her little bed and sat be-
side her softly singing little lullaby
until she went to sleep. Then she tip.
| toed out, leaving the dQor open. that
she might hear the tiniest sound.
! She slipped into a loose, cool k1-
mono and flat satin slippers as quickly
as she could and peeped into the nurs-
| cry. Everything was lovely and Phyl-
| lis was fast asleep. Then, hurrieoly,
| she shampooed her hair. squeezed out
peep. Still everything was lovely.
The baby had settled down TO nave
| good nap.
opened out to a second story veranda;
1t was sunny and secluded an loeal
place to dry her hair.
Suddenly she thought Of the baby.
She flew to the nursery. This time
| 1t was empty. She called and got no
answer.
The siren Of the automobile re-
peated its warning: Then another
spurred her into instant action.
If the screen doors downstairs were
locked. there was still chance OF
the child being in the house, but
PHYLLIS loved the street, and Carolyn
knew she must hurry. AS she flew
| -
glimpse of herself. Heavens! She
Couldn't run around outside looking
like that!
But a hurried search of the first
floor proved futile, likewise the yard
and garden, and CAROLYN had found
the front door Unmatched.
! A high hedge that bordered the
grounds had screened her so Tar from
the gaze of passersby. What should
she do now? The empty yard, the
open gate meant that Phyllis was
somewhere in the street. To make 1t
horn.
Carolyn pulled her kimono together
at the throat and peered out of the
gate There was a look in her eyes
that must be in those of every para
chute jumper just before he makes
his first high plunge.
|. The street was almost deserted at
that moment, and to her dismay no
little figure was in sight. That set
tied It! In an instant she was out on
the sidewalk calling at the top OF her
| lungs.
Then she had an inspiration. Across
the street lived another little girl.
who had a sand pile in her back yard.
Likely the baby was there. Carolyn
darted across.
But the back yard was empty, and
no one answered when she called.
me mousse st0ou On CoEHei, anu us
tracted by this time, she made for the
! side street.
Sure enough! About a block away
trotted a little golden haired, pink
clad figure in her bare feet. At the
same instant she heard the brassy
notes of a band that was just turn
ling the corner beyond, coming
straight toward them
What should she do? The parade
meant q crowd, but she had to reach
the baby before she could get hurt.
At any minute she might dart into
thu, middle of the street and be killed.
/ CAROLYN thought no more. She put