The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-05
EVENING STORY
Chairs for Two.

successful dances in history. 1t was
after midnight when the last speech
was given, the last song sung and the
happy pleasure-seekers bundled into
the four big stages which waited to
take them back to Collegeville. On
the way home, the boys sang and
cheered. their spirits gradually rising
until when they arrived at the neigh
boring town of Glenwood, several
members of the party had reached
point of exuberance.
The desire for activity had increased
so much that one of the more adven-
turous suggested that it would be a
fine thing to visit the verdandas of the
Glenwood homes and make . collection
OF chairs. No sooner was the suggestion
made than the high-spirited students
swooped down upon the darkened
houses Soon a miscellaneous collec-
ton of chairs was piled upon the
coaches, and the boys continued their
triumpha1 march thru the town.
When the end of the village was
reached, however. the more sober
The chairs were piled high on the
lawn of one of the most prominent
citizens. and thence the irate inhab-
itants 5ourneyed the next morning
to claim their own and vent their
wrath on the memory of the night
visitors.
But not all the trophies were left
behind. Jim Duncan, with character
istic stubbornness, refused to part
with his treasure. It was a fine chair
of solid mahogany, which seemed too
good for veranda use, and Jim, declar-
ing that he had taken a fancy to it,
carried it on his lap to Collegeville and
installed it in corner of his room.
On the very next night, Jim met
Elsie Thurston. 1t was at a Country
Club dance. and after the third fox
trot, Jim decided that Elsie was al
together the finest girl he had ever
met. He liked the way she looked at
him through dropping 1ashes of black,
and he liked the curl of her chestnut
hair hanging low over her ears. Elsie,
on her part. evidently considered Jim
with favora BILE light, for she gave him
three other dances before the evening
was over, and just before they parted
she acquiesced in his suggestion that
he go to see her on the next evening.
Jim appeared at the Thurston resi-
dence shortly after eight o'clock.
Elsie, having decided to look her very
best, was not ready when the visitor
arrived, so Mr.. Duncan, introducing
himself, accepted the role of enter
tainer. The conversation drifted to
college and the pranks of various stu
dents.
Yes, we do have lots of fun" Jim
said in answer to a question of the
older man. But, then, we study a
bit. too"
We'll" Mr.. Duncan answered grim
1y. II know one time when some of
you didn't study any. That was two
nights ago"
/ Jim's heart missed a beat.
What happened?" he asked in
nocently.
"A bunch of students came over
here after midnight and stole one of
my best chairs" Jin's face took on
slight tinge. but it was dark and Mr..
chair 1 value highly" he continued, d
and if 1 could find out who took it
1 would prosecute him to the full ex-
tent of the law
Maybe 1 could scout around and
find it for you" Jim suggested
IF you do. I shall be eternally
obliged to you" the other answered.
THAT chair was an heirloom and
hoped to keep it in the family.
Elsie appeared. radiant in a creation
of shimmering blue:
would you like to go in and look at
that picture I was telling you about
last night?" she asked. I'VE can see
it better inside
Jim followed her into the spacious
library. The first thing his eyes fell
ance with the one which reposed in
the corner of his own room. Elsie fol-
lowed his glance.
Whats the NATTER" she asked
noting his startled expression.
'Why-I-er-was looking at that
chair he managed to answer. Its
rather odd. isn't it?'
Eyes, it is one of a pair we used to
have that has been in the family for
years.
Jim examined the chair with in
terest.
you say that there was another
one ?" he asked. Where is it,"
A shadow of annoyance crossed the
girls face.
"a group of college boys stole it the
night before last" she answered I'VE
lef' it on the veranda by mistake, and
they took that with a number of 9TH
ers from neighboring houses. The
others were found on the outskirts of
the town, but ours was not among
them"
"Oh, that's a shamei" He spoke in
dignantly. DO they fit together"
Eyes, they were made that they i
could be Joined to form a tete-a-tete. |
Do you see where the joints are?"
Jim examined the spot indicated |
and discovered two small locks exact
ly like the one he had noticed in the |
other chair.
Maybe" he suggested. II can look |
around the dormitory and find the
other one. And If l do, I'll bring it |
back to you
..Oh, f you only cam She glanced
at him gratefully. and Jim suddenly |
resolved to bring back THE other chair |
on the very next evening.
So bright and early the next morn
ing. he seated himself at his desk and |
wrote a letter:
Dear Elsie:
II secuted around last night and
found your chair in one of the stu
dents rooms. Unless I hear from you |
by phone, 1 shall bring it over to-
night.
No phone message was forthcom-
ing. so at o'clock Jim packed the |
chair in his runabout and departed |
for Glenwood. Mr. Duncan was seat |
ed on his veranda when he arrived.
Il am very much obliged and in T.
debted to YOU, he announced, when |
Jim showed him his precious cargo |
Elsie is in the library
Taking the chair with him, Jim en- |