The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-12
EVENING STORY
All in the Family.
(By Earl Reed Silvers.)

The carriage rounded the last turn
and started the long upward climb. On
the very peak of the hill the Ferndale
house stood out clearly against the
blue of the late August sky. Lawrence
Wellington gazed with interest upon
the scene of his future activities. He
expected to spend the remainder of
August and all of September at the
Ferndale house, and he was naturally
curious as to its charms. Scenically
speaking, he had little to complain of.
To the left of the hotel stretched
silver lake, bordered by wooded shores.
Directly in front of the main building
two tennis courts had been laboriously
leveled from the side of the hill, and
to the right rolled the velvet fairway
of what promised to be an excellent
golf course.
The place looks to be just about
right" he muttered. 1.-The only Ques-
ton now is the girls
The carriage drew to a halt, and
colored porter hurried down the steps.
Take the bags" Lawrence COM
manded. "A trunk is coming later,
The porter miraculously burdened
himself with a suitcase, a golf bag,
tennis racquet, and some fishing
tackle, and led the way into the hotel.
Sitting in one of the comfortably up
holstered chairs near the door was a
as most of the other girls who frequent
exclusive summer hotels, but to the
new arrival she appeared different.
For Instance, her eyes reminded him
of crystal pool he had once seen,
deep and clear; and her cheeks were
the color of sun-kissed apples. Law
renee was particularly fond of apples.
AS he entered, she looked up casually,
and for moment her glance met his.
Suddenly into her eyes came the light
nf Ion
toward him, her hand extended.
How are you, Milton?" Her voice
expressed unexpected pleasure and de-
light. Il had no idea you were COM
ing to Ferndale.''
Lawrence took the outstretched
hand and shook it heartily. If a hint
of surprised delight was in his eyes,
the girl did not notice it,
II didn't tell any one 1 was COM
ing" he said. 1T was a sort of sur
PRISE
WELL I'm glad, anyhow. How long
are you going to stay?"
Until October
She clapped her hands delightedly.
so am I. Isn't that fine?"
1T sure is His voice matched hers
in enthusiasm. What are you going
to do this afternoon"
Nothing"
will you wait until unpack a bit
and then go canoeing with me?" His
glance strayed to the shadowed lake.
why, yes. But I'll have to dress
first"
"All right. I'll see you later, then"
I'll be back in twenty minutes"
With a bright smile. she turned and
entered the waiting elevator. Law
renee addressed the impassive porter
"Rastus." he said, I'll give you so
cents extra if you tell me the name of
that young lady
cyl-z
the negro announced grinning. ''She
done come from Beach Haven, New
Jersey"
"Oh, 1 remember now," Lawrence
smiled broadly. Lead the way up
stairs" he commanded. "I must be
back here in twenty minutes"
He was waiting on the porch when
Marjorie made her appearance. She
was dressed in a white sport costume.
with soft straw hat which dropped
like a sunbonnet.
WAS 1 on time?" she asked gayly
1.-TWO minutes late" He smiled, and
led the way to the spacious boathouse
of the lake she looked at him with
hint of reproach in her eyes.
''Why didn't you tell me you were
coming?" she asked
Il didn't know it until yesterday"
he answered. "And then it was too
''why haven't you answered my let
ter?"
What letter."
"Why, the one about the house party
on Thanksgiving day"
He looked at her in mock dismay.
Il never got it,
"Honestly?''
Honestly and truly" He crossed
his heart in evident sincerity. Where
did you send it?'
''To New York, of course
81 haven't been in New York in a
month" he announced triumphantly.
"Of course I didn't get it.'s
She looked at him in amazement
You haven't been in New York in a
month? ?"
NO; I've been down in Balimore'
A puzzled frown came over the girIs
face. She bent forward and looked
intently at her companion, who had
| stopped padding and was trailing one
hand idly in the water.
You wrote me from New York just
two weeks ago." she said.
What" He looked up, a mingled
expression of surprise and dismay in
his face.
you wrote and told me that yo1
would be in Atlantic City for the rest
of the summer" she continued.
He slapped his knee and tried to
look relieved.
by George, so I did," he answered.
"I had stopped over in New York for
the day
but you told me you had been
working in the city all thru July she
persisted. "and didn't have chance
to get away"
For a moment he looked over the
water, trying to think of way out of
his peculiar dilemma The girl was