The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-26
EVENING STORY
The Cad.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.


election excitement. From her little
home on the hill Lenore could see the
villagers stopping here and there to
enter into controversy or exchange
good wishes for a mutual choice. 1t
was grand to be the fiancee of the
future district attorney! The thought
thrilled Lenore to her finger tips.
Away in the city she knew Charles
Floggart, the man of her choice. was
working as he had never worked be-
fore-working for the good of the
community, for her and the ideals he
held dear. If they all knew Charles
as she knew him. he would not lose
a vote, she felt sure of 1t. From the
very day she had entered his office as
stenographer, she had learned to re-
spect him, and now loved was mingled
with that respect.
He had Insisted that she take a rest
the last month of his campaign, as
they had planned to be married soon
after the election. Now she wished
she had insisted upon staying by his
side to see the fight to the finish.
A special Sunday supplement lay
four-column cut was a picture of
Charles with the governors daughter
by his side. Candidate for District
Attorneyship and His Most Enthusi-
astic Campaigner." it was headed.
Lenore knew that no one could be
u
Charles than she had been; but she
was not Jealous of the governors
daughter, she told herself. 1t was all
in the campaign-part of a big game
Up the hill she could see a messen-
ger boy vending his way. With that
strange instinct which messenger boys
usually arouse, she scented at once
that he was carrying a message for
her. Sure enough he was-from
Charles. She opened the note with
fervent haste almost before she had
signed for it. 1t had been dashed off
in hurry, she could tell by the shaky
letters, but they were the same
large open letters that distinguished
Charles's penmanship.
Dear Lenore:
'rI cannot let you come down to meet
me tonight after the returns. for
have a confession to make: I love
someone else. dear. She will be at
daughter has promised TO become my
wife as soon as you will set me free
from my promise. 1t is to your in
fluence I owe my success today.
Lenore. but know you will not stand
in my light. and will forgive me. Be-
lieve me to be always.
Your friend,
Charles"
Poor Lenore sank to chaiar hardly
able to believe what she read. Surely
she had read it wrong. But no! Even
thru the tears she could read the
same hard, cruel words. Her head
swan dizzily. everything went black
and she felt herself slipping.
"Lenore. open your eyes, speak to
me. 1t is Jimmy"
It was some minutes later when
these words brought Lenore to her
senses Before she opened her eyes
she could feel a mans arm tight
around her and her head resting upon
his shoulder. JIMMY After all those
monthsl
[ 1t felt good to have some one there
some one who would understand.
On Jimmy's shoulder she wept out the
whole story. Jimmy took the letter
and read it for himself
THE cad" he Missed. THE dirty,
loathsome cad!"
THE cad" Lenore felt herself re-
peating. THE cruel cad!"
SO she will be at his side tonight,
will she?" Jimmy cried. ITO see him
proclaimed district attorney! Not by
a jugful! 1t isn't too late to lose the
election yet. He has reckoned without
Jimmy Davis. of the Star This let
ter on a front page extra will cook>h
goose. 'Jiits woman who has made
him what he is for governors wealthy
heiress. A full sweep heading like
that will sway the crowd away from
Not that, Jimmy. not that" Lenore
had isen and put a restraining hand
on his shoulder. Charles must not
lose the election. 1t is his right to
choose his own wife. I will not com
plain
him get away with this? He is turn
ing down the girl he won from me-
the sweetest little girl in the world
one would die for
IF you think that much of me-
Jimmy, you will destroy that letter
and forget that you have seen it."
Jimmy's lip curled with derision, IT
won't do that. I will publish it in
the Star 1t will be on the press in
half an hour. You can't see it that
way now, dear, but in few weeks
time you will thank me for exposing
this cad"
You must not publish it, 1 won't
permit it," Lenore faced him with
flushed cheeks, determination shining
from her eyes.
You can't stop me-" Jimmy was
just as-determined, battle was shining
in his eyes. In vain did Lenore
threaten and plead.
He has been a cad, He deserves
to be defeated. you will have to ad-
NIT it," Jimmy cried as he saw him
self triumphing.
A new light came suddenly into Le-
she cried. 1T will take you to the
Star in my car. so you will be sure
to get there in time for an extra.
will be ready in a minute"
1t was just a minute later when
Jimmy sat beside her in her roadster.
I'VE will make speed" she cried, as
she turned an the power Faster and
faster the little car bounded forward,
whizzed past other cars and struck
the open stretch by the lake. 1t had
been speed before, but on the open
stretch the car Travelled at a madden
ing rate Nearer and near the city
came. faster and faster the car seemed
to bound. Almost there. Just one
more mile, hang ont" Lenore gasped
as they rounded another bend.
A big red car doomed up in front.
The little car slackened speed as they
passed. enore recognized the occu-
pants-Charles and the governors
daughter.
"I wonder If they recognized u.s."
Jimmy gloated.
Yes: didn't you see the surprised