The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-28
EVENING STORY
An Elevator Episode.
(By Louise Oliver


words were addressed to her. as she
was the only occupant of, the elevator
besides its. operator.
She looked up into a pair of very
nice blue eyes, then at the thatch of
maize-coIored hair below gray TN
yisored cap, and at the straight alert
figure buttoned up to the chin il e
Jacket o. severe military cut. There
was nothing in particular to dis
tinguish him from the eleven other
young men who lifted or lowered the
general public to the various floors Of
the AFmsworth building, anG. Marion
was at a loss at first just how to re
ceiye such an unaccustomed overture.
But she was greatly amused ana
pleased Lately she had felt raj her
old with the tax of overwork, but evil
IDENTIFY the young man in the cap didn't
think she looked So
2 "Oh, pretty WE'LL" she answered
with smile Marion's smile was We ry
sweet. How about your
Same as usual. Too long hours
and too small pay. but pretty good, at
that"
The elevator slid down another floor,
slowed, stuck and started again Then
it slowed again and jerked to a sta,-d-
still-between floors.
Good gracious" said Marion, inpa-
tiently. whats wrong?"
Don't ask me. Powers off, | sup
pose"
Cant you tell blythe other eleva-
tors2 Have they stopped, too?"
Only me and No. 9's running At
ter they only run two cars. Don't
worry, tho. I'll get word to the cleo
trician. He'll fix it,
But how long will he be? Tm il
a hurry. l have important business
to attend to that can't wait"
Sorry, kiddo. Guess it'll have to-"
Marion sat down on tho narrow
leather seat, glancing, at her watch
with dismayed resignation.
1T certainly is most annoying"
Sorry Got a date?"
What? ?"
Got a date-engage
Marion laughed in .Jite of herself
NO, it ism t that. L have some bust
ness to attend to for Mr. Marshall"
John MARSHALL Do you work for
him? He's district attorney. amt
he?"
Yes"
Well, if he's as hard on his office
people as he is on the poor people
he's always prosecuting he'd be a lem
on to work for
Marion decided this was too good to
keep She have to tell her brother
John how he stood with the people.
He's not so bad she defended.
He has to do his duty"
'Yes-I 'spose. But say, do you
think he's givin that poor Fellow Jew
EFT a chance %
Chance, OF course
But nobody thinks he's guilty"
Maybe he isn't. But that's for
his attorneys to prove. You see," said
Marion, "a district attorney has to
appear severe. It's his business to try
to prove people guilty. There-theyre
will soon be fixed. / must get out of
this.
3'Ain't you havfn' a good timer
Wonderful" smiled Marion, still
amused that the young fellows opin-
ion of her had not changed "I'n dis
card these beads and earrings for
work after this" she thought, and
wear another hat" Then she thought
of the time and of her errands and of
Caruthers waiting impatiently at the
station for the, papers she carried, pa
pers that were sure to convict this
same Jewett they were talking about,
She looked down at her bag safely
hanging on her arm.
81 knew a fellow once that knew
Jewett," said the other.
Did your" exclaimed Marion inter-
ested.
Yep. He thinks there's something
wrong. Thinks a pack of fellows used
him He was that kind. Do anything
for anybody Jim says"
well it's too bad" declared Mar
body has to do the states work Be-
sides" she hesitated-'*h really was
guilty of treason, you< know. Why l
have" she looked at fhe bag, right
here papers that are sufficient evil
dence to convict him."
Suddenly the young man said, Say,
would you mind holding this lever
over, this way-tight. III have to look
at the switch under the seat. Better
put your things down-it will take
both<shands."
Marion obligingIy obeyed After a
minute the operator replaced the seat.
relieved her of her task and pulled
over the lever. The elevator slid
downward to the first floor
Thanks for helpin'," said the
Young fellow. gratefully. Sorry you're
late"
you're welcome" smiled Marion.
See you tomorrow she added i'm
pulsively. She liked this friendly
young chap in spite of his, ridiculous
hair. She walked quickly to the street,
called a taxi, and found herself at the
station in ten minutes, just in time to
catch CarutheFs before his train pull
ed out for New York.
Here are the papers!'' said Ma
breathlesSly, reaching into her bag
Then suddenly she went white. why
they're not here! They're gone'
put them hare myself. They've been
stolen. No, they're not here any
where. But not souls been near me,
the bag hasn't been away from me for
a second" Then suddenly she
thought of the elevator chap with TIE
yellow hair who had a friend who
knew <Jewett.
That was the end of Marion's career
in the secret service. The papers that
would have convicted Edwin Jewett
were lost thru her care1essness.
One night several months later when
Marion was dressing for dinner the
maid brought her a card
She hastily finished her toilet and
went down. The man who rose when
she entered the drawing room looked
familiar-yet she was uncertain.
Where had she seen him.
Don't you remember the elevator
boy he smiled. who stole your pa