The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-15
The Euening Story
Miss Sindbad.

| There goes Miss Sindbad. the
Sailor" he chuckled at the nickname
given to the saucy owner OF the
launch. And, by jove, shes run
ming off with my line!"
The reel was spinning merrily and
| the line sang a tune as it ran faulty
after the vanishing boat. Wales nook
and sinker were caught in the pro-
peIler of the little craft.
Hi, therei" he shouted.
Miss Sindbad did not turn around.
Hi, there! Miss Sinbad." he yelled
| in desperation.
The brown head turned, the boat
swung a wide circle and came about.
The line slackened as the boat ap-
preached and paused rockingly at his
feet.
A pair of big, brown eyes looked
up into his.
You called me?" she asked sternly.
"Why-why, yNes-you are running
off with my line" he explained, point
ing downward.
"Oh-I didn't know am very
sorry. Can you come down and get 1t
Off" she asked crisply.
TN try" He clambered down the
rocks and stood beside her, realizing
with little shock of surprise that
the girl was wonderfully good to look
at; she was rarely lovely under the
delicate coat of tan. A brilliant color
flushed her cheeks.
1t took him half an hour to dis
entangle the line from the propeller;
this was quite unnecessary, for, as
she patiently explained to him, if he
would only do thus and so it would
come off; but Vale obstinately failed
to do thus and SO, suddenly becoming
very dense.
At last it was off and Miss Sindbad
was free to pursue her way. During
the half hour Vale had learned that
she lived in the red-gabled house at
the extreme point.
Red Cables he muttered, staring
after her. why, that is where
Freda Flake, the writer, lives. 1 sup
pose that is her secretary-or, by
Jove, it's Miss Frake herself Doesn't
look as though she could write such
strong stories as I've been buying
from her for the past ten years. Ten
years! Why, ten years ago Miss
Sindbad must have been in pinafores.
appoint myself a committee of one
to call upon her. 1t is my bounden
duty!"
Quite contented at this prospect,
Vale resumed his fishing and did not
feel qualm of disappointment when
he trudged back to the hotel with an
empty basket.
All that evening he dreamed of Miss
Sindbad's brown eyes and flushed
cheeks, of the dimple in her chin and
the soft curve of her face. How low
able she wasl And to think that she
should turn out to be Freda Frake,
that mysterious writer of fascinating
romances whose stories he had eagerly
bought for his magazine but whose
personal identity was a mystery to him
and his staff
Tomorrow" he told himself, 81
Will call upon her. Who says there is
no romance in this wOrkaday world ?"
When the morrow came it was
perfect October day, with the ocean
a-smother of white foam under a
clear blue sky. The wind blew freshly
and the walk out to the end of the
too soon at the end of his journey.
Red Gables was surrounded by a
high stone wall and the gate was
opened by a servant in livery, who di-
a pergola, where purpling grapes were
hanging in the sunshine.
Seated at a table under the vines
was an enormously stout woman writ
ing rapidly in a leather-covered book.
She glanced at the card the servant
placed before her and rose with cor
dial smile.
Mr.. Benson! have always hoped
to meet you some day." she cried with
outstretched hand
Miss Frake," he faltered.
Yes, of course-but how could you
know me?" she laughed. "Sit down
here. James, serve tea at once
An hour later Vale took farewell of
the popular authoress and without one
glimpse of Miss Sindbad he left Red
Gables and wendell his way down to
the shore.
Il wonder what she meant by tell
ing me she lived at Red Gables ?" he
muttered resentfully as he passed a
sandy slope.
He glanced casually at the last one
and stopped abruptly. 1t was a white
pointed cottage with a red roof and
window boxes glowing with late scar
let Seraniums- On the gate was the
neat sign, Red Cables" and coming
down the steep steps was Miss Sind
bad herelf, a white duck hat on her
brown head, her dark eyes dancing
with pleasure.
so this is Red Gablesi" exclaimed
Vale, and then at her amused glance
he went on recklessly. 1--WE been call
ing on Miss Frake-I thought you liv-
ed therei"
ence," she sighed. We're not a bit
literary at our Red Gables-just plain
everyday folks"
Il like everyday folks" interrupted
Vale enthusiastically. They're easy
to get on WITH
That's nice of you" she smiled as
they went down to the shore. Faith
er's painter-he'S down there paint
ing my boat. That's mother in the
white sunbonnet-she's holding the
pot-she's always around where father
is
Vale saw a tall, bearded man in
paint-splashed overalls plying a brush
vigorously, and near him stood a slen-
der little woman holding a big pail
of paint.
"Oh, JEAN" called the woman, as
the girl approached.
Benson thrilled at the name. 1t was
his favorite of names for women.
Coming, motheri And I'm bring
ing a sort of celebrity know it's for
hidden, but he somehow walked into
my life and I had to bring him along"
She laughed gayly and introduced