The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-07
EVENING STORY
Twas False.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
Arthur Thorne had argued until he
was tired of arguing. There was no
use trying to talk sense into a man
who hadn't any. he thought at last, as
he gave up with one more effort.
IT tell you she is young-just about
twenty-one," he said hotly. Because
she is an actress you think she has to
be old. There are some young ac-
tresses, aren't there?"
Mervin Renton. his companion. was
quite willing to admit that there were
but this one. he claimed was not. You
can't tell me-" he argued. This Dora
again. Her hair is false, I'm willing
to wager anything. Did you ever see
curls like hers that were real? Every
thing about her is false"
Arthur knew IL he stayed he would
become angry. Mervin was jealous
that was what was the matter, he felt.
Dora had shown her preference for
him. II Mervin didn't care for her,
what was he staying there for? The
week before she had come to the ho-
tel. Mervin had declared the seaside
resort was too quiet to hold him. but
now he. never spoke Of leaving.
Without another word Arthur left
the bath-house where the converse
ton had been held and made for the
beach. 1t was a glorious day and the
guests of the hotel were making the
best of the bathing weather. He caught
sight of Dora almost Immediately.
Her bathing suit was unique and at
| tractiye-one that could not be mis-
| taken, and besides. she was the only
one he had eyes for. Dora didn't seem
to be enjoying herself as she usually
did. Apparently she was searching
for something in the water near the
| beach,
What have you lost?" he asked, as
! he waded toward her.
"Oh, nothing" she answered. a trifie
confused. isn't the water fine?"
After completely immersing himself
| and swimming aimlessly about for a
| few seconds, Arthur agreed that 1t
was. Lets go out on the raft" he
| suggested, but Dora seemed unwilling
to leave the shallow place. This was
surprising. for she had always seemed
anxious to get all the fun possible.
| She even seemed unwilling to go on
the beach for q sun bath, but finally
| agreed.
There" Arthur exclaimed, as he
| stretched out on the sand. Il thought
| I never would get away from that
shallow part. There were so many
children there I didn't have a chance
to talk to you"
You usually have lots of opportuni-
ties" Dora smiled.
Arthur wished Mervin had been
there to see that smile. Even a man
like Mervin would say that girl who
could smile like that wasn't very old.
whats this?" he asked, as he
picked UP something his toes had been
rubbing against in the sand. "Wel,
look what's here! A false curI," Sure
enough it was.
Dora took 1t from him eagerly. IT
| lost it.' she exclaimed, as she jumped
to her feet. IT was searching for II
GU there. Wait until I go and tell
auntie. She'll be delighted"
She was off before arthur could stop
her. He looked after her with an ex-
clamation of dismay on his lips To
think that those beautiful curls of hers
were false. 10 wonder she hadn't
talked much and had been confused
| So Mervin had been right. Were her
! teeth false. too? Did she have a glass
eye? No her eyes and teeth were her
own. Science could not make eyes or
| teeth like those. If her curls were
| false. tho, she must be old. He was
SO disappointed it made him angry.
Perhaps she was as old as his mother.
but when he reconsidered he decided
that false hair could not make his
mother look as young as Dora Per-
! haps she wasn't old at all. There was
chance that her hair had been de-
| stroyed by accident, hut it seemed inn
| probable.
When Dora foined him again he WA a