The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
The EDening Story
A MONDAY Romance.
(By Elsie see.)


Something's wrong with Bessie
Moore, sure as ANYTHING" said Mrs.
Terrell to herself as she removed the
breakfast dishes from the long board
ing house table. shes eaten scarcely
any breakfast for a week. It can't
be money, for she gets a fine salary
at the government offices, and pays
her board regular as the months come
around. So it must be worry"
Reckon she amt grievin' over that
Mr.. Bartle's leavin'? ?" asked black
Martha, who mistook the soIiloquy for
remark addressed to her.
NO, guess not" opined Mrs. Fer
rell, as she swayed her two-hundred-
pound figure through the swinging
door into the pantry. Il used to think
they they were making eyes at each,
other, and L had hopes of having
them settle in my second-floor front
1t would nave made me sure of my
rent. But 1 guess it was my imag-
lnation. for when he left so unexpect-
ed with a whole weeks rent paid
ahead, was telling her about it and
she didn't appear concerned at ALL"
Still, you can't tell what a gal
thinks by the way she acts and talks"
said Martha wisely, as she removed
the last of the dishes and passed into
the kitchen
A short time afterward, Mrs. Fer
reIl darkened the dining room for the
10y anu was ABOUT TO SIT down TO I6le-
phone her grocer when the door bell
rang. She opened the door and was
surprised to be greeted by the very
Mr.. Bartle of whom she had been
thinking in connection with Bessie
Moore's dependency
OF all things, what a surprise!
An not an hour ago 1 was thinking of
you, Mr.. Bartle." She gave him a
hearty handshake, and added. Come
right in"
I've only a moment, Mrs Terrell, y
said the young man in a pleasant
voice. I'm just in town for the day.
and ] dropped in to leave your latch
key that 1 carried off with me-
Now, that was mighty thoughtful
OF you; but 1 wish you'd come at
meal time
"How's everybody" asked the
young man.
''All we'll, 1 believe. though Miss
Moore does seem a bit off color since
the warm weather set in Mrs Fer
reIPs motherly solicitude was genuine.
! she needs a rest, perhaps" sug-
gested Bartle.
Il think there's something on her
mind" Mrs. Terrell ventured. She
never once mentioned her family to
me, but when Mrs. Marmaduke
brought her to me, she told me to be
good to her, for she was true blue
blood and was carrying a big load and
| making a brave fight"
GU can't mean Mrs. Stanley Mar
maduke, the prominent clubwoman -
Yes, we come from the same little
town up State, and she has been a
mighty good friend to me more thar
once in my life, Mr.. Bartle"
Why, she and my mother were
school girl chums, and she has visited
our home often. 1 called on her wher
L first came to the city, but she wa.
out, and 1 never called again. I've
still got a little time on my hands 20.
day, though, and 1 think I'll rur
around to see her. Good-by, Mrs. Fer.
rell.''
AS Mrs Terrell closed the door afte,
her guest, she stood with her lips
pursed tightly and her small brown
eyes fixed upon space. La q a
That lad means business or I miss
my guess" she murmured, as she
slowly moved away to resume heI
household tasks.
That day at luncheon time, wher
Bessie Moore came down the elevator
ana stepped into the dingy lobby OF
the sub-treasury building, she was
| trim and neat in her modish blue
serge suit and tailored hat, but hel
face was pale and her gray eyes had
a tired, sad look. When Harry BartIt
stepped from the opposite side of tho
corridor and smilingly advanced t6
greet her, the expression that over.
spread her face was like spring sun
shine after rain.
Before she had time to frame am
excuses, Harry gained her acquies.
cence in prearranged plan for a
tete-a-tete luncheon in one of the little
sun-parlor alcoves of a popular res
taurant When they were settled al
table and their order had been given
he took small pink rose from the
cluster of their table and tossed it To
4 her.
In public restaurant, 1 cant