The Topeka state journal., 1916-11-20
EVENING STORY
The Village Dreamer.
(By A. w. Peach.)

u.
of what had been his quiet wooing of
her he had not seen her so excited
or so happy; instead she had seemed
a calm little body, greeting him on
his evening calls with a gentle friend
illness. Now she was vibrant with
some happiness of spirit that was re-
flected from her soul into her eyes.
Jared, guess what's happened p
For a moment he was puzzled; then
slow dread took possession of him.
"You are going away he ventured
1t was just venture and not his real
thought.
She laughed. mo, but you're pretty
close, in a way. The reason has ar
rived why we need not go. Hartley
Shafner has come back
1t was his first unspoken guess.
Shafner returned-that and her pres
ent happiness could have but one
to his dream of the time when she
would say yes to his question he
had been waiting to ask.
Before he could form his answer
there was a quick step on the porch.
and a moment later he found himself
facing the cheerful, tanned face of
Shafner Her joy was visible in her
happy eyes as the two men greeted
each other.
Eyes, I'm glad to get back Shat
ner said smiling and looking toward
her, land find people glad to see me.
Going to go, Jed? Yes, I'll be over
ana see you.
AS he closed the door he smiled
| family. "Too slow, too sober, too
much of a village dreamer to match
| with Hartley for her. But love her.,
he thought to himself as he turned
homeward.
The next day the news of Shafner's
coming spread and the entire village
knew that the courtship it had watch
| ed with interest was over. Old
| "Granther" Sparks, privileged because
of his years and his kindly nature,
summed the situation up when he said
| to Jared: You're just a dreamer.
| lad, an dreamers amt good for much
| in this huntin' world. Hart's come
back with the money-made good
with his plantation. But jest the same,
lad, there's a pile on us who're glad
you stayed with us an the old man
speakin' is one
Just as Jared was closing his mill
late that same afternoon, a stranger
came in, a short, thick, keen-eyed
fellow, and asked to see him.
a'1 came to see you because I've
been told that you were reliable and
because you are administrator and
Now do you know anything about any
| moneys placed in the hands of
Hartley Shafner for investment; have
you given him any ?"
| had tried to interest him in his money
schemes, but had failed. mo, 1 feel
a heavy responsibility for the funds
! in my care, and I take no chances"
| The stranger smiled slightly. MY
name is Graves, and I happen to be
under the responsibility of tracing Mr..
Shafner and arresting him"
"A detective ~
'Yes, altho I'm down on that term.
| Mr.. Shafner has secured funds for a
| fake, and some of the people in this
vicinity have been touched. 1 thought
you might be one. 1 have the name
of a party here. Can you give any
| information concerning her?"
| Jared stared at the name he offered
Miss Avery Stimson.'
| Under Graves mask-like face a
shadowy smile came and went as he
watched Boyd. "I understand that you
| friends until this Hartley butted in.
| You won't be troubled by him long.
| He's gone up to call on the lady now.
and I'm going to call on him and ar
rest himi''
| He rose and picked up his papers.
| Jared, dumfounded, rose with him., his
| thoughts in turmoi1-Avery's small
fortune gone, on which she and her
mother depended-tne home her
mother would not leave until death
had heard were true; she had given
the money to Hartley trustingly; she
had loved hin-always would
''Wait a moment" Jared said quiet
ly- 'Th1S means tnat the money is
The other snorted mot a CLINT of
| it left
Jared stood in thought while the
detective watched him with curious
eyes.
| II wish if you could arrange it that
you would not arrest Shafner there;
and moreover, 1 can't bear to think of
their little money gone; besides, she
thinks a lot of him. Jared did not
see the detectives eyes widen in won
der. mo one in the village but Miss
Stimson entrusted funds to him. so
she won't find out thru them. Now,
I want to turn over to you the three
thousand he took from her; and 1
| want you to arrange it SO that she gets
It in his name.'
Graves stared. then swore softly.
"Of all the fool stunts! You ought to
| have lived 1900 years ago in Galileei
I'll pinch him right in front of her
| show him upt You be right on
hand
'aThat isn't my way, Mr.. Graves.
What l ask you to do is very simple.
You come from a long distance away,
| and you will take Shafner still farther
The chances are she will never hear of
| this I wish to save her grief You
/ don't understand
'I'n be hanged if 1 do the other
said without emotion. -'But I'll do as
you suggest. Is there anything else ?''
Jared shook his head
1t was long before he left the quiet
of his dingy, dusty mill office; so he
did not see Shafner and his ''city
friends leave the village on the early
evening train.
Two days sped away in the fashion
| that days have, but he did not venture
to visit the little cottage at the end of
the broad village street He stayed
long in the mill office, fussing with his
Iaecounts in appearance. but in reality
dreaming his old dreams over
1t was on such an evening of
dreaming that a friend passing by left
his meager mail. Among the first let
tiers he opened was this.
Dear Sir-My business isn't to pre-
tvent men from making fools of them