The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-09
The Eueni11g Story

The Evening Story
Sydney's Deception.
fBy Jane Osborn.)
It was partly because he didn't un-
derstand her that she interested him.
1t was because the depths OF Sydney
LeanOrd's everchangfng eyes were un-
fathomable that Clyde Manning had
been so eager to sound them. What
were her thoughts? What were her
motives? Why did she urge him to
spend hours with her and at the same
time keep up the tantalizing barrier
This uncertainty was Interesting
not sincere? What IL she were de-
ceiver? There were times when the
very charm Of her personality. the
ease with which she led him from one
mood to another and imposed her In
dividuality upon him made him DOUBT
her sincerity. It had been Clyde's
scheme of things to fall in love with q
docile, open-minded, easily under
stood sort of a girl. That was why
he was so uneasy when he fell IN
love with this mystery. this sphynx
Of Sydney. A dozen times he had
gone to Sydney's house vowing to end
the uncertainty of it, and as many
times he had come home without ask
ing her the definite question.
Finally one Saturday early In spring
Clyde decided that come what might
he would propose to her before the
day was over. He telephoned to her
and received permission to call on
her that afternoon-recetved q prom
ise, too, that she would reserve the al
ternoon entirely for him.
Clyde left his office at noon ana
walked to the nearby florists for
Sydney's favorite orchids. Az he was
rounding the corner of q busy street
he felt an indescribable shock
sense of being in the presence or some
overpowering personality.
CLYDE looked and q few PAGES ahead
of him he saw her, distinguished even
in the crowd OF fashionable women Oy
her exquisite femininity and reserve:
Her companfon-a young woman OF
her own age-was talking with her IN
apparent eagerness.
upon sydney and show the enthus1-
asm he felt in the chance meeting.
But ON second thought he heeltateo.
Perhaps it would be embarrassing TO
introduce him in the street. perhaps
in Sydney's correct code it wouldn't
he good form to force himself upon
her in that way. There would be no
harm at any rate, thought Clyde, IN
following her at . distance, 70 allow
himself the pleasure Of watching her
graceful figure wend its way tnro9sn
the crowd-to feel that even at a dis
tance he was protecting her.
He gained a few feet and heard slight
laush.ths tsntsiizinE laugh tnat nsas meant Si1r
= xslR fa.tss What vas Va she she nss ssyias. caS.
panion. sydney had told na 20 nt''e Oh
You must meet him. he heard Sydney
say. me Is 90 unasoai-so perfectly hon.
GyHs rs,t the color going from his face.
Who was this person whose nonesty was
the subject of sydney's thoughts: He
took another quick step and was close be-
"Clvde Manning" He heard his own
R;m Tnsn fhs the nei.e Of
the rest Of her remarks. Then he heard:
'.And yet. much as we are to each othe:,
living that would have anything to do
able sogb so s on sale
:That is the advantage Of a big city. In
a small place every last man would
it Gsas hsd not racex come NJ
had always dreaded 1t. He knew she had
a secret. Yet what was it?
Clyde decided tS follow heT e tSs ana .s* sss
Clyde had already had luncheon he TO-
lowed. He took a table behind Sydney
Of him, ordered luncheon. He couldn't
hear her. but he could see. There was
nothing unusual in the luncheon sydney
cocktails-nothing that Sydney could have
wanted to hide from him.
of the hotel and to a nearby bank, which
he entered after them. Sydney cashed =
check. Clyde went to 2 cashier at q near
neS ne e Gould an; not t. see him. he told the bank
clerk that he had come to look up refer
eboHt hess 1907 some hs business transaction and he
MISS Leonard" said the bank clerk, ..is
bOard Of directors. and as for Miss Leon
ard herself. she Is one Of the most re-
liable. business-lilke young women I
At least she didn't cheat and she didn't
drink unused Clyde.
her & companion. N 1--WE shall be late for the
meeting" ana Clyde followed them to tho
door Of one one Of the % saciTsiys G;styc wcwsas ,s
sydney and her friend disappeared into
the drawing room he asked the boy at the
"There is a suffrage meeting said the
boy. ''but men don't usually attend. May
be can get you y 9 permit" p' r.. -.
then to himself she is asuifrssist. too.
That shows she e serious" Just then
'':sS soh. % NJ 4r.' Mannias. she said: clyde.
a5s dons dst
voice had come the spell of her person.
ality. '.1 thought yod were coming to see
me-I-'
I did intend to-" said Clyde. trying to
hide the box of orchids which he was
carrying, "but CHANGED to see to see you
in the street and / have been following
you.''
It am just leaving said Sydney. 'I
had to make a report at the meeting and
left it with some one else to read. and
was going home SO as to be there when
come, I may as well stay here She
laughed, and for the first time Clyde