The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-24
EVENING STORY
In the Meantime.

In the Meantime.
(By Dorothy Douglass
Charlie Delroy nigh have felt like
the prodigal son had he been either
the son or the prodigal. but he was
neither. He was, however, returning
to the cottage that had been his nome,
off and on, since boyhood. He heaved
Il sigh of contentment as the bend
in the road ahead of the cab brought
the small house within his sight.
Reasonably certain that Molly Cra-
ven and her mother would be at home,
since it was 9 o'clock at night, he an
ticipated the surprise with which hey
would welcome him home after his
three months idle vagabondage. He
was in the habit of dropping in unex-
pectedly, and the longer his absence
had been, the greater was the recep-
ton he received upon returning,
The cottage was tiny, only big
enough to house Molly, her mother
and himself. Molly had been the only
sister he had known and Mrs. Craven
the only mother, and their home was
always his home.
Charlie had taken the last train out
from the city. He fell to wondering
what he would do should no one be
at home to take him for the night;
but that thought was out of the ques-
ton.
There was a dim light burning in
the familiar lamp that always stood
beside the piano. Charlie sighed again
in relief He jumped out of the old
cab, paid the driver and went up the
garden path with his heavy suitcase
He whistled the peculiar little whis-
tie that heretofore had brought Molly
and her mother running out t. meet
him. There was no answer. He
knocked loudly on the door. Not a
sound came from within.
"Rummy!" Charlie muttered and
peered into the cottage thru a win
Il al rhintZ-cOVPred chester
field with it's wonderful depths OF
cushions was there, and on the table
was Mollys work basket full of stock
ngs to darn. What can they be do
ing out at 9 O'Clock vim there's no
one to visit within three miles," Char
lie wandered about the house trying to
find a means of entrance. After all.
it would be joyful surprise for them
to come in and find him comfortably
ensconced in the living room, perhaps
feigning sleep.
After much effort he succeeded in
squeezing himself through a small
window in the cellar. He hoped the
kitchen door at the head of the cell
lar stairs would not be locked and
leave him a prisoner in the cold and
dark Having dragged his suitcase
after him and proceeded up the stairs.
he found the door waiting to welcome
him into the kitchen.
After ambling over the familiar
kitchen. made himself a cup of tea
and a slice of toast and went into the
little living room to make himself
comfortable until the return of Molly
and Mrs. Craven.
He had not intended to sleep in the
great chesterfield but he did. This pa
per fell forward over his face and he
slept the sleep of the weary and con-
tented.
When Daphne Earl and her mother
and found strange man sleeping on
the chesterfield and that same young
mans suitcase lying open beside him
and the contents generously sprinkled
about the room they would have
tainted had they been less sensible
women.
Il much prefer that he should
be intoxicated and lost to being either
insane or burglar, mother" Daphne
whispered, gazing at lifelong stretch
chesterfield.
Not wanting to prolong the scene
that might be troublesome, Daphne
thought quickly as to the best means
OF waking the stranger Il will bang
the piano." she said, and suited the
action to the words. After a resound-
ing bang on the piano she and her
mother both slipped into chairs and
awaited results.
Charlie, suddenly startled from
iAAOSI dCAASIllul hung the pa
per from his face and jumped up, ex-
pecting to clasp Molly and her moth
er in his ample embrace
He fell back, his face blanching.
Great Scott Who are you people ?"
IF it is not impertinent." Daphne
asked coolly, while she sent a funny
little smile in the direction of her
mother, who nodded gently. 81 would
ask the same question of you"
L am Charlie Delroy, and I've been
brought up in this house. 1 have slept
on this chesterfield thousands of
times" He gazed blankly at Daphne,
who only smiled back at him.
we have rented this cottage, fur
nished, for two months" she told him.
Il know you are speaking the truth
and that you are not a burglar, be-
cause your photograph adorns my
dressing table. I suppose Molly Crav-
en- likes you well enough to keep it
there" There was hint of mockery
now in Daphne's voice. She wanted
to hide the charmed sense that was
rioting within her. Every night for
the past six weeks she had gazed
long and earnestly at the cookbook
ing face in the photograph that had
been left on her dressing table by
Molly.
Yes" Charlie said boyishly. they
do like me. In fact. I have no one in
the world who loves me half so well
as Molly and her mother. But" he
arose quickly, II have no right to be
here now, and 1 apologize most hum
bly, for the appalling liberty I've TAX
en-" He would have gathered his be-
longings had not Mrs. Earl stopped
him with a soft word.