The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-24
The Evening Story
Postmarked Boston.


"Why, my goodness, Dell, he hasn't
even noticed US since the aeason open
ed" Marion stared down at the strip
of crescent beach perpleXed and
frankly indignant. The new life saver
stood as usual, leaning back against
the tall piling near the life line, his
arms folded, watching the youngsters
as they romped and splashed in the
surf.
Ever since the beach had opened
he had been on duty there, stranger to
all of the regular batherS and suf-
ficiently good looking to arouse cur
iosity among the girls. 1t was his
utter indifference to any of them that
had proved disturbing. They knew
that he lived about a mile up the
shore toward the bluffs in a TRY cot
tage perched precariously or the
edge of the coast guards path. When
the beach closed at six, he would stroll
up to the postoffice, get his mail, or
der some Things at the village stores
and walk alone out to his house. He
never appeared at any of the dances
or entertainments at the hotel and If
any of the girls did bow to him, he
would only return it-never speak
II think he's college boy earning
money for his course, don't you ?" Dell
chewed on some grass speculativeiy.
His name is Taylor Crosby. L found
out that much, anyway 1 asked the
girl at the postoffice, and he gets
letter every day postmarked Boston.
and mails one back every day, direct
ed to Miss Pauline Holmes"
"How perfectly delicious!" Marion
exclaimed.
Fat ones" Dell added happily.
still he looks anxious; so he can't
be really engaged yet. Don't you see
how anxious he looks?'
He surely did. Even gloomy.
I'VE might get dad to invite him up
/ to the cottage. Tell him we've heard
he's a hero, don't YOU know? He's
the best looking man on the beach,
truly he is, and it's a shame to waste
him. I'll coax dad now"
The major listened TO his youngest
non-committingly, and sizeG up the
life saver at distance.
rion," he said. I'll ask Capt. Briggs
about him. Ii the reports o. K. you
can have him up when you like"
The report was more than o. *.
Capt. Briggs went so far as to pass
his opinion that Mr.. Crosby was some
body very important in disguise just
doing life saving for a summer diver
sion Pressed for facts, he added he
didn't know anything about him, but
his ways and speech were enough for
anybody to judge by.
So Mr.. Crosby found himself invited
to dinner at Major Farley's cottage.
He accepted. too, with a flush tinging
his tanned cheeks as the major put
the matter up to him, for he had been
quite aware of Marion and Dell day
after day and their frank, girlisE
scrutiny of him. Not only did he como
up that first night. but afterward. Of
ten. when the major found life at the
beach full of ennui, he would ask him
over for dinner or to spend the even
ing. 1t was enough that he was n
/ Crosby of Mantle Highlands, just out
side of Boston. The major had known
| a Brewster Crosby at Harvard. 1t did
not disturb him a particle when he
saw Marion's bonny head bent close
/ to Taylor's over the veranda rail in
| the August moonlight.
! Dad" Dell whispered. one night
/ perching on the arm of his chair, II
think Marion's falling in love, don't
yoC?"
But Marion never forgot the daily
letters coming and going from Bos-
ton. Not that she would ask him, but
she wondered. Pauline Holmes-that
was the name. She said it over and
over to herself, her blue eyes darken-
ing like summer storm clouds. And
while he showed in every way that he
cared for her, he never said a single
word about it.
They had gone down to meet the aft
ernoon boat one Sunday: Taylor had
been telling her of his home, and sud-
denly she saw him stop, alert and keen
eyed. and stare at somebody getting
off the boat
There she isl he said excitedly
by Jove, l never thought she'd
! come"
He excused himself hastily and
dashed for the plank. Marion, chilled
and tense, saw him greet a girl, a stun
ning-looking girl at that, and heard
her laugh. They came toward her
She looked around for the major, for
Dell, for any one to help her escape
meeting the girl.
1t was Pauline Holmes She knew
! it. Something seemed to tell her even