The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-30
The Evening Story
A Month Too Early.
(RV Dean CarrntherSA

from the manager of the Pebble Beach
hotel. 1t informed her that her ap-
plication had been accepted and that
the salary would be sixty dollars a
month with board.
please report for duty May 15," il
ended
MAY 49," repeated Cicely, that is
next week-why I had no idea the
season opened until the middle OF
June"
Some summer resorts are very pop
ular during the late spring months -
observed her mother. well, dear, if
you are going next week III write to
your grandmother that 1 am coming
to spend three months with her. We
may as well give up the flat and store
our furniture at once"
at may be lonely at first, mother,
but just think how much good the
fresh salt air will do me; shall be
and We can start afresh in town when
fall comes
Il am glad. Now, dear, we have
packing to do and some more sewing
before you go. I'll write to mother
today"
The days sped swiftly and finally
came the moment when Cicely parted
from her mother at the junction which
separated their journeys. Mrs. Mere
dith'S road would carry her along the
north shore of the vine powered home
of her girlhood; Cicely's way led
among the sand dunes by the sea.
The Pebbleton station was perched
on a rise of ground and from it a.
road slanted down to the sea-. There
was board walk along the beach and
several great caravanseries lifted their
bulk above the high-water mark.
The sea looked cold and gray now
as Cicely, the only passenger to leave
the train, stood looking over the scene
which was to be her home for several
months. The sky had darkened and
great thunderheads were piling up in
the northwest.
81 want to go to the Pebble Beach
hotel" explained Cicely to the station
master. isn't there stage or cab
to take me there"
He shook his head.
3, -fYou can walk it easy, miss. It's
that last hotel on your right-the one
that stands alone. Just go down the
road to the board walk and follow the
walk to the hotel. You better hurry;
there's a storm brewing. Seems as If
the hotel was opening pretty early this
year" he added curiously.
Earlier than usual?" asked Cicely.
June 5 is the regular opening day,
but L notice the carpenters have been
busy down there, so 1 guess it's all
ready for guests. There, hear that
thunder. You better wait here or
run"
sI'll rum" said Cicely as she sour
ried down the road.
She hated thunderstorms and SO she
fled before this one like a thing pos
sesSed of great fear. 1t was with
shortened breath and throbbing heart
that she reached the last hotel and
ran up on the broad piazza.
A jagged flash of lightning streaked
the gray sky to the horizon.
Mercy" painted Cicely, her hand
on the front door knob. But it re-
fused to yield to her touch. There was
no bell but there might be another
and humber entrance on one of the
side porches; so she hurried around to
the western wing of the hotel and dis
another door. The door was
and then closed it. AS she did so, the
sound of its closing was drowned in
a crashing volley.
She found herself in a small office,
1esolate and untenanted. The closed
1esks and the safe were covered with
last years dust There was a curious
feeling of loneliness about the place
hat frightened her.
Cicely held her bag in one hand and
yripped her umbrella in the other.
signs of life in the hotel office. She
passed through an inner door and
gained the great entrance hall.
us any one here?" asked Cicely. |
But another crash of thunder shook |
he building. "Oh, dear!" she cried, in
L
While she quivered there, she heard |
mother sound-a sound of footsteps |
schoing through empty rooms over /
head.
Some one else was here-she heard |
mems voices and a rough laugh. I'm
oulsively, she darted through the lit
lie gate in the clerks Enclosure and |
,rouched under the counter.
What does it mean" she asked
NJ, vi. 81
lave received my note saying that L
would obey his instructions and re-
port for duty today. Oh, dear. if it
would only stop laundering L believe
ID go back to the railroad station"
Cicely came out from her cover and
ook a survey of the situation Some
horrible mistake had occurred, for il /
vas evident that the Pebble Beach
lotel was untenanted save by herself.
She must get out of the hotel as soon
IS possible and communicate with Mr..
Sharlson. Meantime, if she only had
weapon.
She opened one of the desk drawers
nd CROPPED in its dark interior. Her
ingers closed on something cold and
lard 1t was a revolver. A feeling of
ecurity stiffened her courage.
At that moment light footsteps
ounded on the veranda outside Some
me tried the front door and then went
round to the office entrance.
And then the door opened and
losed again and another presence en-
cred the hall. Cicely had dropped
Iown into her hiding place once more
The intruder paused in the middle
f the hall, scratched a match and
PRESENTLY there was waited to C1cely
he scent of a cigarette. The smoker
Ipened enc or two doors and banged
hem noisily. Then he mounted the
tairs and prowIed around the upper
laIls, opening and closing doors.
Now was her chance to escape