The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-14
The Evening Story
Tnree Fe88ie6.
(By Constance Morton-)

| Charlie E4yCro1t came ooWA eAS
steps of the club house and unrolled
his umbrella.
A light April shower was slanting
down on the hurrying crowds who
had been caught by the capriciops
April weather. Il
by jove. there's Peggy. he ex-
claimed as blue umbrella poooeo
past him. I'D know that umbrella
anywhere by the white spot on II
where I dropped the acid that Gay.
Well little sister. I'll catch up with
you and wen have lunch together!
But little sister, managed to keep
half a block ahead of her big brother.
Peggy Raycroft, II ever l eaten up
with you. I'll bring you down to
sane walk" he painted as he fastened
In her wake. I'll have to call taxi
If 1 don't gain on her..
The blue umbrella paused before a
shop window and enabled Charlie to
come within ten feet of her. Then
with a swing, away it went on down
the avenue. bobbing out of reach.
Around the corner into the compar-
alive quiet of Thirty-first street went
the blue umbrella. and the little high
heeled shoes clicked under 1t with ex-
asperating monotony.
How in thunder do they walk In
those shoes?" groaned the breathless
young man. The women can do
stunts that a mere man wouldn't even
attempt"
At last, in the shadow of a tall
building. the blue umbrella stopped
suddenly. Charlie leaped forward and
clutched one of the points thereof.
"Peggy-Peggy!'' he gasped.
How dare you?" rasped shrill
lifted to show the grim-jawed counte-
nance of most unprepossessing fe-
male of uncertain years.
Il beg your pardon!" cried Charlie
in confusion.
But the lady was obdurate. With
a crook of her finger she had sum-
moned a blue-coated officer and re-
quested that Charlie be arrested.
HE has followed me for blocks"
she asserted angrily. HE is trying
to flirt with me-
The officer looked from Raycroft's
fresh. good-looking countenance to
the haggard one of the offended lady.
He cast a sympathetic look at Charlie.
Charlie tried to explain.
Il thought 1t was my sisters .um-
brella." he said with what composure
he could muster in the face Of the
embarrassing situation. "And 1 fol-
lowed 1.-THE lady can testify that I
addressed her as Peggy That is my
sisters name"
1T happens to be my own name"
said the lady frostily. Officer. do
your dutyi''
you wanter enter a complaint
against him?"
Yes! Such as he should be driven
from the street. A respectable wom-
an is not safe from their OdiOuS at
tentions." g5
At that moment another was added
to the Little group. The newcomer
was an exceedingly pretty girl.
Il beg your pardon" she said to
no one in particular. but 1 hap
I'm quite sure that the man meant no
harm. He appeared 80 surprised when
he found that the lady under the UNI
brel1a was a stranger and --''
How impertinent!"1 interrupted
the scandalized Peggy. a--S
Il don't mean to be-" went on the
girl quickly; but you see, too,
thought 1 recognized the umbrella as
that belonging to! my friend. Peggy
Raycroft, and I was about to call out
to her when-when this happened"
Peggy Raycroft?" repeated Peggy
of the umbrella. This umbrella was
given to me by Margaret Raycroft-
1 used to be her governess-and-
Then you have heard Of met! in
terrupted Charlie in his turn. as he
gave her his card. Il remember Peg
had several governesses while I was
abroad; perhaps you are Miss Free
man-she was devoted to her.
Il am Margaret Freeman admit
ted the lady with melting smile at
the brother of her old pupil. "Omcer,
I believe we can get along without
your services today!"
The policeman departed, his fingers
closing around the crisp bill that had
The other three looked at each other
with some embarrassment. The pref
ty girl was first to recover her COM
posture.
II must co." she explained. 81 have
a luncheon engagement. I am very
glad that everything has been salts
factorily explained, Miss Freeman"
You are very kind" said the gov
erness. flushing. II am sorry to have
misunderstood Mr.. RaycrOft's action.
Margaret was a favorite pupil Of mine
and she has been very kind to me-"
IF you will forgive me, Miss Free
man. you can best show it by having
lunch with me-" cried Charlie, gayly;
then. turning to the girl. he added:
II am very grateful to my sisters
friend for her timely Interference
The girl nodded and smiled bright
ly, and while he stood with the rain
scattering on his barred head she
raised her own umbrella and disap-
peared around the corner.
Charlie replaced his hat. and, open
ing his umbrella. he accompanied
Miss Freeman to a nearby fashionable
hotel, where that victim of genteel
poverty had a long to be remembered
hour of delight.
Charlie spared no pains to entertain
Miss Freeman, and at last he related
the story Of Peggy's blue umbrella
with the white spot. Il splashed
some chemicals on it one day, and
how Peg did scold,'' he said with his
pleasant laugh. But she insisted on
carrying it as it was-a sort of per-
petual reminder of my carelessness.
she said"
IT admired the handle and the dear,
impulsive girl gave it to me-" said