The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-27
EVENING STORY
Girl From HankinsviIle.

easily to the WOOOeu Dank.
THAT is Hankinsville,' remarked
Vincent Rossell, indicating a cluster
of white houses about half a mile
down the river. Il have letter of
introduction to a girl who lives there.
She's a fourth or fifth cousin of
mine
Austin Livingston smiled.
You seem to nave a cousin in ev-
every port he remarked. But this
time you haven't anything on me. 1
once knew a girl from Hankinsville
myself"
where did you meet her?
Down at Atlantic City two years
ago. 1t was during a Paul Jones al
a hotel ball. We had a wonderful
dance together, but she refused to tell
introduced. She said, however, that
she came from Hankinsville. I ex-
pected to look her up the next day,
but 1 was. called away suddenly and
haven't seen her since.
Vincent looked interested.
perhaps she is the same girl I'm
looking for he suggested. What was
she like?"
Light hair, blue eyes and red
| cheeks Austin answered
''She may be the same one" Vim
cent glanced at his watch. The girl
I'm hunting for is Doris Osborn, but
we'll never find her if we don't hurry
up. Let's get to work.
| For a few minutes they busted them
selves with pots, and pans and other
| implements of camp life.
Are we due to leave here to-mof-
row morning." Austin asked.
YES"
| Surprising Doris turns out to be. a
wonder?"
| Vincent smiled.
We'll" he said, were not in such
hurry that we can't stay over for a
| day or two. Hustle along with those
pans"
Supper was eaten and the dishes
washed and slowed away before an
| other thirty minutes had passed. Then,
logged out in all the finery of their
| best camping trip clothes, the two
men mace their way to Hankinsville.
The village was situated on the bank
of the Delaware rivera group of
| spotfessly clean houses clustered to-
/ gether on the top of hill. In the
very center. facing the river, stood a
| typical summer hotel, with the village
store and postoffice opposite.
Wen stop i'll and ask the post
master where the Osborns live Vim
cent announced. He'll probably be
able to tell us better than any one
else
| They stood for a moment on the
steps leading to the store. From the
| hotel opposite came the sound of
merry voices, and as they watched a
bevy of summer girls strolled arm in
arm down The broad steps of the We
randa. As they passed the two stran-
gers one of them looked coyly over her
| shoulder and smiled into their eye.
Austin touch his companions arm.
why bother looking up your friend
| Doris ?" he asked. 1T seems to me
we'd have a better time if we spent
| the night at the hotel
well, we'll see.''
Vincent's eyes were turned inter-
| estedly down the road leading away
from tho river and Austin's glance fol-
| lowed the direction of his gaze. Com
ing toward them he spied a girl dress
| ed in some sort of shin1friering green
| Her hair was the color of golden rod
| in the late autumn and her arms and
neck had been tinted with deepest tan
i by the summer sun. She walked light
| ly, swinging her arms with a free mo-
ton as If she were accustomed to
tramping over the country roads
Somehow she gave one the impression
| of the spirit of all outdoors.
Il have presentiment,'' said Vim
cent suddenly, that that girl is Doris
Osborn"
IF it IS" Austin answered. 81 don't
think we'll bother about the hotel,
after ALL
| They moved to one side as the girl
reached the steps. She glanced at them
as she passed, and nodded pleasantly.
Vincents heart missed a beat She
had evidently taken them for some of
the hotel boarders she had met, but
| that did not make her smile less
/ charming. Struck by a sudd - idea,
Vincent entered the store
I'D like the Osborn mail" he heard
her say.
Without waiting for the postmas-
ter's answer, he hurried out to the
porcl..
"Its her." he announced with the
careless disregard of the rules of
| erry
men. ST heard her ask for the mail. -
The girl reappeared, a batch of let
tiers in her-hand. The two len watch
ed as she sorted them eagerly, select
ing three which she placed in a small
satin handbag on her arm. She walk
ed leisurely down the road.
| I'm going to speak to her." Vim
cent announced. Come on
| He seized the unprotesting Austin
by the arm, and hurried after the girl.
| 81 beg your pardon" he said when
he had reached her side, but my
name is Vincent Rossell."
She looked at him inquiringly, with
the hint of twinkle in her eye.
I'm very pleased to know it, she
answered in just the kind of voice
Vincent knew she would have. Are
you trying to flirt with me?"
He flushed ever SO slightly.
| mo, indeed" he protested earnestly.
Il believe that 1 have something for
you
| He fished hastily into the inner
picket of his coat and drew forth d
tattered letter addressed to Miss Doris
| Osborn.
will you please read this" he
asked.
| She took the envelope and looked at
it curiously. For moment she hest
tated.
| How do you know that I am Doris
/ Osborn ?" she asked.
''I heard you ask for the mall he
answered proudly I'm a regular
| Sherlock Holmes
She looked at him amusedly-
And what does the letter say?
| Its an introduction from Kitty
Dale, who used to know you in Phil
| adelphia. Please read it, because 1
want to introduce my friend here to
YOU" He indicated Austin, who had
been an interested onlooker.