The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-30
The Euening Story
Her Charm.
CRU Ola riSSa Ma ckie l

your party" remarked Mrs Hendryx,
pursuing her lips in disapproval.
Derry looked up from her sewing, a
faint color fading into her cheeks.
Ned is an old friend, mother" she
reminded.
But after his escapade-''
Mother, deari" protested Derry,
! you know he was exonerated from all
blame in the matter of the missing
papers, and even Mr.. Tuttle said that
Ned had been unjustly accused"
Henry futile said the same thing
to me-both father and son are gem
erous enough to give Ned the benefit
of the doubt. but, of course, wouldn't
have you slight Ned, my dear. In a
small town like Highway such things
are very noticeable-but 1 am afraid
he will not have very agreeable
time"
Il shall take pains that Ned does
have a good time,' said Derry, her
head bent low over her needlework-
Mrs. Hendryx cast a sharp glance at
to become interested in Ned Allen
when Henry Tuttle was eager to marry
| her-father and son had both spoken
to Dorry's mother.
TASK Ned if you like, Dorry," said
Mrs Hendryx, but don't fuss too
much over him; it will appear as
though you really thought he needed
pity, when if he has done no wrong
he can stand independently among
our other young men,
"Of course, mother said Derry
meekly enough, but her eyes fIaShed
dangerously.
The village streets rang with merri-
ment as crowds of young people In
fantastic costumes wendell their way
to the Hendryx home, a large colonial
structure crowning wooded slope.
The guests were masked and there
was much fun and not little per-
plexity when they entered the large
parIors where Amos Hecker was play
ing the cornet while his wife and
/ IL
and piano.
The decorations were strictly in ac-
cordance with the season, and jack-o'-
lanterns took the place of lamps and
steamers of gayly colored autumn
leaves trimmed the walls and door
ways, while black paper cats and
witches peered at one from every nook
and corner.
| Dorry. CARRIED as Puritan maiden.
was without a mask, and she gave gay
greeting to- her unknown guests as
they filed before her some she
recognized by voice or gesture Henry
futile she knew by familiar ring
on his little finger; otherwise she
would never have distinguished MN
from Ned Allen, for they were poth
of the same height and general APP
pearance, and by singular Gomez
dence both had chosen to assume the
dress of a century ago.
| There was another stranger pres
| emit an umbrella mender, whose iueH-
! tity no one could guess.
Then came Ned Allen, holding MS
head with the same confident air tnat
marked his bearing before papers Hao
! been missed from the bank and Ned
| Allen, the cashier, had been accused OF
making way with them. The TuttIes
Mr.. futile was president of the bank
and Henry was vice presldent-nau
exonerated Ned, but he had not been
reinstated, and the finger of suspicion
pointed at him and the tongue OF Cos
| sip still babbled about him
| Ned bent over Dorry's little mana.
IT hope my coming will not en-
barrass you, Dorry, &he murmured.
mo. indeed, Nedi y We are hon
ored!" said Derry, with flushed cheeks
and shining eyes.
THANK you" he said as he passed
on and there was more than gratitude
| in his tone.
Halloween parties are much alike,
| and Dorry's was no exception to the
general rule. They played the same
toned dances to the playing of the
Hecker family
The old umbrella member created a
diversion by stepping into the mddle
of the floor and lifting his hand.
CT am a fortune teller, friends he
caclxIed shrilIy. "Who consults me
may receive a charm against good or
evil fortune, and I will read the past
and the future for him..
At once he was surrounded by the
gay crowd, and his fortune telling was
SO wittily delivered that the room rang
With aTghter and 6n %6inne rame ''0se %
"Piease point out to me young
man named Tuttle."
And Henry coolly nodded toward
Ned Allen, who stood near by. Five
minutes afterward Teenry Tuttle had
disappeared from the rooms.
Derry Hendryx had heard question
and answer, and Henry's duplicity had
startled her Who was the umbrella
-I7of he m
Henry and why had Henry lied?
The umbrella mender was gradually
making his way toward the spot where
Ned Allen, brave in knee-breeches and
coat of blue satin, was waiting his
turn to have his parm read, by the
uuasi-fortune teller, who was giving
tiny metal trinkets right and left.
This, young woman, will insure
one; "and you, sir. will find this charm
will soften the heart of an obdurate
father and this one will compel the
love of the girl you desire and
so on.
What nonsense!" murmured Mrs.
, Hendryx, impatiently. who is the
man, Dorry?"
Il don't know, mother. Listen, he
A little silence fell upon the room
as the fortune teller bent low over
Ned Aliens hand. Perhaps curiosity
prompted some to wonder if the for
tune teller might not reveal the guilt
or innocence of Ned Allen.
young man." said the fortune tel
Ter briskly, 'I can see that you are
/ going to propose to some charming
girl before the clock strikes midnight
you will live long and happily-and
just favor me with your thumb
print, sir, you know 1 am making
collection of them-a hobby of mine
even an umbrella member may ride a
hobby. Thank you, sir-ah!
] Amid subdued laughter the UNI
} brella mender held a strip of glass to