The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-30

Cicely seized her bag and umbrella
and, still clutching the revolver in her
right hand, she left her hiding place
and made for the door by which she
had entered. 1t was still open. The
little office was llchanged except that
it was flooded by the afterglow of a
pale sunset. AS Cicely fumbled with
the latch of the outer door to free
dom, the revolver slipped from her
fingers and thudded to the floor.
There was a sharp report and, as
the shot rang out, Cicely screamed.
Overhead the prowler uttered a yell
of surprise and came tumbling down
the stairs. Cicely, frantically snatch
ing at the latched door, saw him COM
ing and, picking up the revolver, she
faced him.
.TH-I'l shoot!' she quavered.
The man stared at her in open-eyed
amazement. He was young and trim
with dark, clean-cut face. fine eyes
and a humorous mouth. His clothes
were irreproachabIe and over them he
wore long linen buster. A cap was
pushed to the back of his dark hair,
but he whipped it off and eyed Cicely
with frank admiration.
It'll shoot she threatened in a
small voice.
please don't" he said lightly.
shot"
Il dropped the revolver and it
went off, she said suspfciousIy
Then she added menacingly. It's
loaded"
Then don't point it at me- he said
sternly. Don't be frightened. 1 be-
lieve you're the very person I'm look
ing for. Are you Miss Meredith %
Yes" said Cicely, lowering the
gun.
planned. My fathers been away
from his Office for week and just
returned this morning. On looking
over his mail he found your letter
saying that you would report for duty
here on the 18th of May. You are a
sent me down post haste to bring you
back. The carpenters and cleaners
are in charge at present and some of
them are rather rough characters. We
were worried about YOU
But" protested Cicely, Mr.. Charl-
sons letter distinctly stated May Is.
Mother and I wondered about it"
She took the letter from her bag and
gave it to him.
Its one on dad all right" he
grinned. He meant June Is. When
1 couldn't find you L supposed you'd |
discovered your mistake and gone |
home. 1 was going around by the
station to inquire. L came down in /
my motor. Where were you hiding"
Cicely explained her adventures
during the last hour and then to- |
gether they left the hotel, young |
Charlson locking the door carefully |
after them.
At the foot of the steps a great |
motor car was purring. You will al
low me to drive you back to town?''
he asked.
II really should take a train" ex- /
planned Cicely. We have given up
our flat and mother is staying at my
in Underwood"
Underwood? oh, that's on the |
north side about opposite Pebbleton.
Wen take the cross-island road and
make it in a couple of hours"
During that two hours ride across
the rain-drenched island he told her
that ne expected to spend the summer
in Europe. After that he was to take
his fathers place as manager of the
their Florida hotel in winter.
He left her at her grandmothers
gate, and with a pressure of the hand
he was gone. He motored over oc-
casionally to give Cicely news of the
progress of repairs at Pebbleton and
IS clerk at the Pebble Beach that sum-
ner.
But 1 thought you were going to
Europe" protested Cicely.
That can wait" he said slowly. A
lush came into his dark face ''fn
"Obi" said Cicely and changed the
subject; but his words rang in her
ears The memory Of his look thrilled
ner heart; she only knew that the
summer was 20 be a dream of joy II
ne was 90 speEd it with her. and be
yond the summer she would not look
-(Copyrigl1t, 1915, by the Mcclure
Syndieate-)