The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
The EUening Story
Lost-A Limousine.
(By CIarissa Mackie. }

mer afternoon. The famous writer of
detective stories was browsing over a
pile of proofsheets and the sound of
the telephone bell brought his we'll
shaped head up with a sharp jerk.
He pulled the instrument across the
| desk and took down the receiver.
''Ye ?" he inquired lazily.
This spoke a crisp, business-like
voice at the other end, lis Henry Ken
sington, of 81 Wall street. Someone
has gone off with my motor car,
limousine, No. 16, S24. Have some of
your men trace it, will you please? 1t
was standing down here in front of
my office and-what's that you say,
not police headquarters? Why didn't
you say so before, confound your inn
pudence, sir!" And the indignant Mr..
kenSingtOn rang off.
Kenneth Blake hung up the receiv-
er, leaned back in his chair and
laughed. wouldn't that get you?" he
inquired of the empty air Suddenly
he stopped laughing and considered
thoughtfully.
I'm blessed if I don't trace that
Thanks to my habit of making nota-
tons on this telephone pad, I've got
the car number, and who knows but
what 1 may get a yarn out of it, al
though most likely it's only case of
sordid theft. My first visit will be to
the traffic cop down there at Wall
street.
Blake possessed speedy little cleo
of many detective stories we'll told
and in a short time he had left his
home in Washington square and had
interviewed the traffic officer at the
busy downtown corner.
Because Kenneth Blake had been
born lucky, he obtained a faint clue.
The officer had noted the mum Der of
car 1864 because the driver had not
observed the mighty wagging of his
official thumb and had slipped around
the corner and up Broadway like a
flash.
"A big ginger colored car, SIR" he
ahead and they'll catch the fellow be-
fore he reaches Forty-second street"
Blake whirled around and bore up
town, pausing now and then to get
and always he heard of it's speed, of
its number being taken, but never
was it arrested in its northward flight.
At last he traced it through the
Bronx and out along the roads
through Westchester, feeling a grow
ing interest in the chase. And, then,
in the loneliest part of the highway,
he came upon the ginger-colored linn
CUISINE stranded by the wayside, while
remarkably pretty face looked anx
iously from the window.
"Ha!" muttered Blake. as he slowed
down beside the limousine. THE plot
thickens. Enter the heroine!"
Whats the trouble?' he hailed
"A flat tire she responded. 81
don't think you can do anything,
thank you. 1 won't detain YOU
But you can't remain here" pro-
you. Got a spare one?"
4 think so-but, please-if you will
right" she said nervously.
Are you driving this carr" demand
ed the writer of detective stories.
Yes"
with Mr.. Kensington's permits
sion?' he asked. regarding her keenly.
She looked thoroughly frightened.
Not exactly. How did you know it
was his carr" she demanded defiantly.
Because he called the police sta
ton and gave the number of the miss
ing car"
And you-you are the police 90 she
gasped in a Mortified tone.
mot exactly" he evaded, "but am
tracing the car. L think you better
let me change the tires and then go
back to the city with me-"
'No-no!' she cried affrightedly. 81
cannot do that! oh, dear, what shall
L do?" she sobbed softly.
Let me change your tire-and you
may go where you please" muttered
Kenneth, gruffly, jumping from his
machine. He thought it odd that the
girl did not leave the car while he
worked. 1t almost seemed as though |
she was on guard, so closely did she |
when he had finished his task she held |
out a small gloved hand through the |
lowered window.
please add one more kindness to |
the Others she pleaded.
He stepped back, hat in hand.
What is it?"
please go back to town and forget
me and the limousine. 1t is all right
it will be returned to Mr.. Kensing
ton before night
Very WE'LL" he nodded, and, climb
ing into his own machine, he turned
about and went back to town, the
of the girls face driving all
0ther thoughts from his mind.
Who was she and what was she do
ing with the ginger-colored Limousine
that belonged to the Wall street mag
nate
At IL o'clock that night he called
up Henry Kensington's residence and
that the missing limou-
sine had been safely returned to its
emphatic in his protestations that the
whole matter had been a mistake.
ITS quite all right, sir" he assured
Blake. Mr.. Kensington made a mis-
AXE. that's ell. Thank you, SIR
Blake hung up the receiver.
''Jove, the girl was right, after all I
wonder just what excuse she could {
put ove- on old Henry Kensington."
He was soon to discover, for with
IN a fortnight he met the girl out at
he Bayside Country club
She was crossing the putting green,
aer scarlet blazer and white skirt
fine splashes of contrast
against the green turf. He would have
passed her, but she paused and put
aut little sunburned hand.
Thank you, very much, Mr.. Ken
Meth Blake she said gravely.
81 am prepared to forget-if it is
necessary" ne said CALAMITY
cit is no longer necessary she
smiled. My father knows alli''
your father?'
ssJeury RepSiDcfop am T1ov