The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-12
EVENING STORY
What Could You Expect?
BY DORA MOLLAN.


rearranged his brand new furniture.
that one more chair, making four in
stead OF three, would bridge the
chasm between perjury and prosperity
in the aspect of his law office.
Putting the telephone receiver to his
ear. with the number of the towns one
furniture emporium on the tip of his
tongue. the fledgling attorney heard
shrill voice calculate: But what can
you expect of a girl who was named
after pocket handkerchief? What
you didn't know? Yes. her mother
picked it mp at an auction-had be-
ionged to a German countess. she said.
The name was embroidered on it-and
she went and wished II on the kid.
Ever hear of such thing?"
Realizing that he was listening in on
telephone visit, Lamb automatically
hung up the receiver. Then he wished
he hadn't-for he'd rather like to
know what sort OF thing it could be
that you should expect OF a girl who
Kerchief. He might meet one some
day. II he did would she be square
and ubstantially built, like a mans
dependable in emergencies? Or a
mere froth of lace and filmy muslin.
as much real use. as a cobweb over
coat?
i The clock in the town hall spire
struck twelve. The expansive grin
that had spread over Lambs counte-
nance during his rumination faded.
II wouldn't do to be late to one of
Mrs. Noyes's excellent dinners.
He grabbed the receiver. This time
the line was clear. He placed the or
der for the chair. seized his hat and
rushed off to Mrs. Noyes's. girls and
handkerchiefs quite forgotten.
Potter put in the early part of the
afternoon fitting the new chair into
the equipment OF the office. Then,
when he had exhausted all possible
combinations, and stood in the corner
looked" as the old lady said. and had
finally decided upon one of the ar
rangements as beyond improvement,
there was nothing left to do but sit
down and await the coming of clients.
He prayed that'they might come soon;
an indefinite world 1t might mean
anything from a butler-siZed estab-
lishment and a steam yacht to carrots
the neighbors brought In. The brief
less attorney stood a long time at the
window watching the trickle of traffic
in the street below and rolling in
Vulnerable cigarets.
At dusk the happy thought came
that a brisk walk before supper
might add even more zest to his en-
joyment of Mrs. Noyes's culinary
achievements. He took his hat down
then hung it up again and flung
himself down at his desk where book
of Ohio reports lay open.
There were steps on the stairway.
Came a tap at his door. Potter Lamb
mentarily she gazed about the room
with a frank show of curiosity. Mo-
mentarily also the lawyer gazed at
his caller His first client.
A slim young girl. CARRIED in blue
serge with gray tam perched at
I = -O1N
possession she finished her scrutiny
of the room and turned her eyes upon
him. They were unusually fine eyes.
Potter thought.
"You are Attorney Lamb?"
Guilty" admitted Potter, just the
least Illustrated; and it was not every
girl who could upset Mr.. Lambs
1awyerly poise. even a mere trifle.
IT have two thousand dollars here"
the girl said, patting a bag. land I
wish to put it in your hands to do
with as direct"
II shall be most happy" said Lamb.
and there was inquiry in his tone.
You have been in town two days;
so you have probably heard how &C
quired it,"
The young man shook his head.
Can it be possible! Well, I'll tell
you. It's breach OF promise money"
"You-that is--do I understand"
Potter, to whom this information had
come from this extremely interesting
girl. like a shrapnel shell out of a,
Christmas cornucopia, was founder
ing.
Exactly. deliberately shared an
honored and wealthy citizen of this
town into proposing marriage to me
got 1t in writing. Then with malice
aforethought 1 scared him off-and
brought a suit that Melted me this by
way of settlement" The girl drew
| - I'LL - Ill r-A
them on the table. I've come to you
| because you're a stranger here-and
nobody in this town must have the
satisfaction of knowing what 1 do
with it."
How did you get rid OF him?
mined to be utterly professional didn't
mean to say that at all; but it popped
4 out.
'rNagged him" The girl laughed
suddenly and heartily. 1t was an in
fictitious laugh and Potter Joined in
Still, fellow could imagine-fatuous
old fool. to think a young girl like
| this
Instantly. almost. the girl was seri-
Gus again. There's an old man." she
resumed. HE worked for this pros
porous citizen for thirty-five years;
! gave all OF himself to his work-and
always for the meagerest wages.
! Then, when he grew too old to work
any longer, his employer refused to
pension him. And he's destitute 1
got it for him-thats all. His name
and address are written on the paper
wrapped around the money. 1 want
you to see that he gets 1t, in small
amounts. as he needs it; and that he
doesn't find out where 1t comes from.
He'd tell. sure. And just won't have
these town busybodies know. Will
you do IT,"
Certainly. I'll make out a receipt
Observation-Disclosures
1.-THE GcOrpe N