The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-09
The Evening Story
Wanted-A Daughter.
lRy Flora a. Monty.l


on motor trip to health resort. SIS
and expenses. May bring chaperon-
Call at Lewis Hotel, Monday.
Ada's interest was aroused. She read
it once again, then leaned across the
table and handed the paper to her
companion, an elderly lady with timid
manners. Read that, Aunt Elda-"
The older woman adjusted her spec
tacles, read the article pointed out by
a slender forefinger, and then looked
up, saying: .'We1l, my dear? Quite
daring! The police should look into
the matter
''Why the police? I'd rather do it
myself and get the SIS. 1t would save
US from being turned out in this city
without shelter, and with but ten dol
lars to live on
'.Adar' There was no need of more.
The aunt's tone expressed her horror.
ST shall call tomorrow at the place
given. and explain to the benevolent
gentleman that 1 would make an ideal
daughter and will take you for my
chaperon on the trip. No-wait till
am done, auntie. That money would
give US the means to go to New York
to meet father. Once there, I'll con-
fess that I'm a failure and he viii take
me to his arms again.
At $3.50 Monday morning a de-
termined young lady called at the
Lewis Hotel and asked for Mr. Kaldin.
Upon being ushered into the parlor,
she found herself confronting tall,
rather good-looking man, whose ap-
had anticipated.
Miss Maxwell ?" His glance and
tone were approving.
Yes. 1 saw your advertisement,
and offer my services. have a week
to spare, ] can bring a chaperon, and
would make a good daughter, think
Ada's manner was slightly defiant,
for she was becoming frightened.
81 am sure of it Will you be seated
while 1 explain what 1 expect? 1t is
simply this: We will moter from here
to Denton, a trip of less than one day.
We will stay there for the rest of the
week at The Inn. Your part will mere
ly be to allow me to introduce you as
my daughter, and to always have
luncheon and dinner with me. Your
| time otherwise will be entirely at your
own disposal. I merely wish it to be
understood that people are to believe
you to be my daughter. May l ask
your age?''
Twenty-Five The terms are easy
enough, but - She glanced at
him in perplexity.
ct understand. / am 40, and If
anyone else should be SO impolite as
to inquire your age, 1 hope you will
say 20. It might facilitate matters 81
he said with a smile
| at will. And when shall L become
your daughter" she asked as she
rose.
Tomorrow at 10. If we start then
we shall reach Denton in time for
dinner. And may I hope you will not
fail me, Miss Maxwell? A great deal
depends on it.
deal depends on it for me also. I can
not afford to fail you,' and with that
she was gone.
Howard Kaldin's breath came a lit
tie faster as he waited beside the car
| next morning and it was not entirely
over the daring of his undertaking. i
vision of a trim little lady dressed in
brown had disturbed his thoughts
| since early the previous day. His
greeting to Ada and her aunt was so
deferentia1 as to allay all their fears,
and the trip proved really delightful.
| The exhilaration of a rapid spin
through green lanes and shady woods
| invites the spirit to repose, and it gave
to the occupants of the car sense OF
! confidence in each other By the
time Denton was reached they had
| agreed that Miss Maxwell was to be
ada" to her employer. because, as
he explained, Fathers rarely call their
daughters Miss
| During the days that followed their
arrival at Denton, guests at The Inn
became greatly interested in the lovely
| Miss Kaldin and her youthful father
1t was remarked that his devotion to
her was unusual, and the persistency
| with which he frowned off the atten-
| tions of certain interested men gave
| rise to the rumor that he was quite
determined his daughter should never
marry.
| On Sunday morning after church
| they were the center of group on
| the veranda- Mrs. Savage, a gushing
widow, had been using all her wiles to
attract Mr. Kaldin. quite to Ada's dis
gust. Now she moved close to the
girl and stroked her hair, saying
meanwhile to the supposed father
Dear Mr.. Kaldin. how lovely your
daughter is. 1t is no wonder you
love her So"
She is indeed" he responded
heartily. THE sweetest girl know
l-er-that is" He broke off in en-
barrassment and gazed at the retreat
ing form of Ada, who was stalking
Indignantly across the porch and into
the building Muttering something
about stupid fool" he broke from
the group and went off to the woods
where he spent the remainder of the
day.
1t was next morning that the two
met once more Ada was distantly
polite. At last, in desperation. How
lard requested an interview alone
Hesitating a moment, she agreed, OBJ
serving that it would be best to have
an explanation and to end matters.
Please forgive me, Ada" he begged
when they reached a place where
they might converse unmolested. :.
really could say nothing else, vol
know. People would be shocked if &
father denied that he loved his daugh
ter. Besides, it's true" He was de
ternined to have it over with at once
True? 1 fear do not understand
But her flushed face showed that sh,
did.
Let me explain. 1 mean that
love you. 1 do not want you as
daughter any longer, but 1 do desire
to keep you in the family as my wife
Dare 1 hope that 1 can win your love
dear? he queried anxiously.
| Slowly she laid her hand in his. &c
think you may. The reason for M
abrupt departure yesterday was no
from anger, but because your wordl
q