The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-17
EVENING STORY

only an indication of the busy activity
of the party leaders rushing hither
and thither, preparing the last details
for their convention that evening. A
fresh impetus had been given them
by the accession of two morning pa
pers to their cause that day, and with
victory in the offing, they redoubleo
their efforts. A telephone bell rang
and Robert Stanton, scheduled for
states attorney, snatched the receiver
from the hook.
rs that you, Bob?" came tremu-
lous girlish voice over the wire The
soft glow Of love stole over his race /
as he answered, Yes, dear"
"Oh, Bob" came in an excited
whisper, something's wrong 1 can't
tell you over the phone. But come
up here at once. It's vital" she urged
He was about to protest that pressure
of work prevented, but a Click IN
formed him that she had rung off. He
wondered seriously for moment II
it were not some girlish caprice, put'
on second thought, this seemed I'M
probable. Anita's father was one OF
the leaders of the party, and she
knew of the impending convention. II
must be important He surriedly took
up his hat and rushed into the outer
office.
where's jerry" he demanded OF
a clerk.
The clerk, knowing well the bad
feeling between Bob and Jerry Chip
man, one of the few practical poll
ticians in their movement, hes1tated
before replying, then vouchsafed the
information that he had been seen in
| the company of a woman at the Bur
i bingham grill a few minutes before.
Bob grunted and rushed for his car
Ten minutes later he faced Anita IN
her home. After the necessary pre-
| Iiminaries of their meeting w e dis
wifi inDGtuOuSlX
away.
Bob" she painted. Chapman
| 'phoned to father about an hour ago.
Said he had some awful news about
you and a girl. Father told MN TO
come right up. Bob, it's that silly
| Catterton affair. What's to be done?"
| His brows knit in an angry frown.
why, that's absurd" he cried, an
grily. Your father would understand.
You know there was nothing In that
yarn
yes" She assented. hastily. with a
touch of pride IT know you were
right. But it's scandal Bob, and you
know fathers attitude. And you
wouldn't have time to explain before
the convention. 1t will cost you the
nomination" She broke into tears.
"Oh, it's dreadful We must see him
and keep him from father"
| Deeply worried, he remained silent
! for a moment. He let his glance stray
around the room. then started sud
denly.
Il have it, he cried. exultantly.
/ There are two front doors to this
house. one leading in here and one to
your fathers office. I'll go to your ia
| ther and stay with him until he's
! ready to leave for the convention,
| then I'll get him out quietly. Mean
while you stay in the office. When
Chapman calls receive him in the Of
n -
i him to wait until he gets back. Then
hold him there with talk until I
/ phone from the convention. AS soon
| as the papers get the information all
will be WE'LL
She glanced sat him proudly.
'T knew you'd know a way she
declared. tt en- a thought striking
won't wait? And suppose he hears
papa leaving?"
He stroked her head caressingly
and smiled.
He'll wait" he assured her. con-
vincingly. Your father owns him
| body and soul. AS for getting your
father out quietly, leave that to me-"
l. Robert Joined Dr. Young in his
study. and together they had it out.
Bob explained Chipman's animosity
toward him and suggested that Chip
mans message was only some way of
|
ner of discussing the subject bit by
bit swept away the doctors suspicious,
| which, after Chipman's failure to ap-
pear. gradually disappeared.
Meanwhile, Anita took up Loves
vigil in the office, and Chapman was
not long in appearing. MASTERING all
the courage that she could. she ush-
cred him into the office and explained
that her father had to go out on a
case and asked him to wait. Mean
~ 49, 1t
terrain him.
But, with thoughts of his revenge
i and of the approaching convention in
1 his mind, he was entirely unrespon-
sive to her incessant train of small
talk. AS he sat there, she looked at
his big, red-nosed, coarse face with
repugnance and was glad of her part
\ in thwarting his evil designs. But
as minutes stretched into hours he
grew impatient, and from time to time
I glanced at his watch and peered thru
the windows into the front street.
II must be going" he finally an
nounced, as his watch showed 9
o'clock. "I'll be late for the conven-
ton. What's keeping your old man,
anyhow"
Summoning her sweetest smile and
her most ingratiating manner into
play, she persuaded him to resume
his seat. Then the phone rang and
he bounded to it. But she got to it
first and waved her hand.
This is my phone" she reminded
him frigidly. He skunk back to his
seat. as she took the receiver from
the hook Her fathers voice from
the convention hall inquired if Chip
man had shown UP yet.
NO" she answered, mot vet -
Then noting his sudden look of sus-
picion, she added softly, with her
hand shading the mouthpiece, ''but
I'll have that book for you next week.
Lucy" And. with hands shaking Wis
} IDLY. she replaced the receiver on the
hook and turned with a light remark
to Chapman Another hour passed
and his nervousness was only sur
passed by hers. Why didn't The
phone rang violently and she sprane
/ to it.
ITS all right, Anita" came the
ringing voice over the phone. I'll be
the next states attorney I'm coming