The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-17
The Euening Story
A Vision in Violet.
(By Hope Ainslee. }

"A VISION IN Violet.
(By Hope Ainslee)
Jack Borden had three clews to her
identitl: he knew her fathers tele-
phone number, he had a package that
belonged to her and he knew the per-
fume she used.
He had been standing in a public
telephone booth in a drug store on
Thirty-fourth street, between which
and the other booths there were glass
partitions. He had been trying to
call one of his friends who was a stu
dent at Princeton college, and had
found it necessary to hold the phone
for some minutes while the young
man was being searched for. While
he stood in the booth a girl had come
hastily into the adjoining compart-
ment, had called a number and had
held a short conversation with some
one she called papa" She had been
dressed in violet shades from head to
foot, even to the dainty leather party
bag she had carried. Borden thought
he had never beheld so lovely a vision.
A moment after she had gone Bor-
den heard his friend at the other end
of the line and entered into converse
ton with him. AS he talked he no
ticed. that the girl had left a small
package on the shelf in the booth next
to him. AS soon as he was finished
he stepped into the compartment and
took the package. And as he did so
he was conscious of the faintest sug-
haps she had worn a cluster of them;
perhaps it was perfume. In any case
the perfume and the memory of her
remained in his senses, and he won
dered how he could find out who she
was. He even remembered her smile
as she had listened to something her
father had said over the telephone and
the. girls eyes had caught his own for
one brief instant as they stood SO close
together. with only the glass partition
and conventionality separating them.
Being thoroughly a practical man,
Jack Borden set out at once to find
out who the girls father was, since
he knew the telephone number she
had called. He realized that it was
only a chance in a hundred that he
could find out the mans name in this
way, but if he were man who had a
phone in his own name, lawyer,
doctor, merchant, broker, then it
might be possible. If he were only
one of a firm; if he merely worked
for a corporation-then it would be
like looking for the proverbial needle
that was lost in the haystack.
He had not opened the package, for
it was daintiIy tied with violet ribbon
and was wrapped in tissue paper. 1t
looked like a gift to some one, and
it. He would do so only if he could
find out who she was in no other way
than by advertising his find.
After some difficulty he learned
had called was the number of the
firm of Dorm & Doolittle, with officers
in Exchange place, in the lower end
of the city. Dorm & Doolittle were
commission brokers, and Borden won
dered how he was going to find out
which partner had beautiful daugh-
ter who had called him on the te1e-
phone on Wednesday afternoon, and
who wore pastel shades of violet to
match her eyes. His was not a very
tangible piece of business, and yet he
knew he must seek out the partners
and find out which was the one he
wanted to know.
He reached the office and was con-
fronted by the usual type of New
York office boy. Borden had rather
hoped to find human being instead
of one of these boys.
Dorm & Doolittle, I believer" Bor
den said, as he entered the small but
well appointed outer office.
That's what it says on the door.
Who do you want?" asked the office
boy, continuing the mechanical pro-
cess of stamping letters and chewing
gum.
"Give my card to Mr.. DORM said
Borden suddenly, taking a card from
his case.
The boy disappeared. "All right.
Step in" he said on returning a mo-
ment later.
Jack Borden felt very conscious OF
his sentimental mission as he stepped
into the office of Mr.. Dorm and stood
the momentary scrutiny of that gen.
tleman'S keen eyes.
Mr.. Borden?" the senior partner
said, politely. What can L do for
you? Sit down.
Borden sat down. my errand is
peculiar-it may be important; it may |
not" He drew from his pocket the |
violet beribboned package and a |
guilty flush spread over his face. 81 |
"a young woman who called this Of |
flee on the telephone last Wednesday |
and spoke with some one she called |
'papa'-Borden laughed as he pro-
nounced the word-left this parcel in |
the telephone booth. I have not |
opened it, but I have felt that 1 should |
return it if possible"
Mr.. Dorm smiled and took the |
package. He united the violet bow
and unwrapped exquisite bit of
old lace. 'Why-it's my wife's grand |
mothers wedding vei1,' he exclaimed |
How could it have been LOST"
You have a daughter" Borden
asked.
No; but Doolittle has-a beauty.
too. Was it she, do you Think"
Borden smiled and nodded. "I sus-
pect that it was. The young woman
was very beautiful
'.And that's why you have been SO