The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-16
EVENING STORY
A Thief by the Way.
BY A. ". PEACH.


Ames left his car by the road and
climbed to the brow of the hill where
his artists eye had sensed the beauti-
full view that lay to the southwark.
He spent some time seeking the best
position from which to sketch; and he
was in tie midst of the process of
jotting down the lines which were to
help him hold the scene in memory
until he reached his studio. when his
eye caught sight Of a fast-movinY
automobile on the road below the hill.
The car looked familiar, but the
driver did not She was nothing more
than a vision OF rosy whiteness that
| flashed into view and passed.
Ames rose to his feet. by George!
that car looked like mine. but that
vision of loveliness driving it didn't.
Wonder what's up?" he questioned
himself
He hurried back around the brow
Of the hill. and looked across the field
to the spot where he had left his car
standing. The car had gone. Ames
| stared at the place where 1t had been.
refusing to believe his eyes. He had
to In the end. The placid summer
sunshine lay on the road but his
cherished car had vanished.
stolen under my nose by some ac-
! complished young lady thief" he NUT
] tered, recalling rumors he had heard
| of a gang of clever automobile thieves
| who had worked in the vicinity the
| previous summer. And I have a six
mile walk into town unless some good
| Samaritan picks me up"
There was nothing to do but walk
II, and Ames started out on the I'M
comfortable tramp. knowing that he
was not on the main road and that
the chance OF a lift was poor. and
growing hotter all the time, as he
thought over the bare-faced stesIing
/ of his car.
1t was late afternoon before he ap-
peared in the outskirts of Ellwood,
| dirty, hot and mad. He went to his
hotel, cleaned up and made tracks for
the small police station where the
guardians of the law held forth.
There he explained what had hap
pened, and received some earnest ad-
vice to the effect that the laws OF the
state required an autoist to have some
means OF locking his car when he left
1t. He was also told that every ef-
| fort would be made to locate the car.
He left the dingy brick building
with the feeling that the search woIld
be not much more than half-hearted,
for there was small chance of locating
the car among the thousands that
came and went thru the summer re-
sorts.
As he thought it over. however. his
mind ran not SO much to his car but
to the question of the girl who had so
braZenly made way with it. He had
caught a glimpse of a piquant profile
and rosy checks; she would be a thief
worth catching, and he hoped that
luck would be with the police.
He had almost forgotten his prom
Use to attend a garden party that eve
ming, and he was forced to make
haste. Nine o'clock found him, how
ever. being led by a friend thru the
bothersome process of introduction.
He ran the gauntlet safely and had
retired to a corner of the brightly
lighted garden, when he stopped
short and stared in the direction of
the house. His trained eve had caught
among the shifting faces, the many
colors. a profile that reminded him of
the face he had seen passing in his
car.
n have it on my BRAIN" he NUT
tered to himself, and turned to chat
with the friend he had accompanied.
Another glance stirred him to action,
however, for the girl had turned in
his direction; and he saw a gay. rosy
face looking at him with no recogni-
ton.
Ames asked his friend for an i'm
! mediate Introduction. and a moment
later he was meeting Miss Alice
Hoyt"
Her dark eyes were inscrutable as
she lifted them smilingly to his. II
she knew him she was covering her
knowledge well. Ames wondered as
he chatted with her what might be
hidden under the dark, merry eyes.
Could she be one of a clever gang.
trained to do the society act for less
accomplished pals?
He drew her aside, and she seemed
to be very willing to go; in fact. a
little later. she said to him, I'VE are
not needed here, and I am longing
for some fresh air. Will you take a
run with me around the lake? Since
you are a stranger I must show you
what Ellwood Is at night"
He was more than ready, and fol-
lowing her dark head he stole away
to the car standing in the lane near
| the garage. He had given up as ride
ulous any thoughts of her being the
thief; and his thoughts were running
more to some campaign by which he
could claim her for himself during the
remainder of his stay. But as they
stopped at the car. his thoughts took
/ n somersault 1t was his car to which
she was calmly leading him.
He made sure by getting a glance
at the number Now. what the deuce
Is going on?" he asked himself as he
settled himself beside her
She was a skillful driver and soon
they were sailing smoothly along the
| great lake drive. His thoughts were
in a tumble; of only one thing was he
certain-he was finding in her gay,
| comradely personality something he
| had found in no other of his girl
| friends.
He came to himself with a bounce
! when, as they slowed down at the
northern end of the drive, a blue
coated figure thrust itself in front of
the car and a heavy. threatening voice
said sharply. Haiti"
She stopped the car with word of
surprise. and the bluecoat came to the
wheel. Miss, you are under arrest
| Turn around and drive back to head
quarters. We have been looking for
you all afternoon. Now we've got
you"
Arrest me! What are you talking
about?" she asked in her clear, sweet
I soprano.
asked
| ''N-n-no-''
There was a break in her voice. sue-
] geStiye of tearg