The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-03
EVENING STORY
The Land Game.
BY ARCHEY CAMERON NEW.
Bob. Wa y afieId Ic..-a.d e,

wasn't aVerSo TO letting the world |
know that nothing on earth mattered |
as much to him as the smiles of her |
pretty oval face and the kisses from !
her laughing red lips. And she felt |
happily sure of him until the Marley
Heights Land company came into its
gorgeous being!
With some trepidation, thoughtful
OF the responsibilities of his approach
ing marriage. Bob left a well-paying
position to take up his duties as head
salesman for that company. The lure
of the letters he received was too
much for him to withstand.
"a most brilliant opportunity for
a wide awake hustler" read the writ
ten enticements. I'VE will spend thou
sands of dollars on advertising, free
bus rides, brass band concerts and re-
freshments to bring prospective Gus
toners out to look at Marley Heights,
the coming Utopia. The sales will be
phenomenal. All you will have to do
is to sign up the buyers"
Bob bit, and to be fair, for the first
two weeks prospects looked wonder
fully rosy. He did make money. more
than he had ever made before. and
modest plans already made for his
marriage were gradually reShaped for
an affairs more becoming to his more
prosperous circumstances. But there
were two flies in his ointment. The
company installed twelve powerful
searchlights over their development
built a pavilion for free movies, and
| made a new bid for night sales. Bob
gritted his teeth and grudgingly ar
ranged to be on hand three nights
week.
Helen slowly discovered a new cloud
on their horizon OF happiness.
HE seems distrait," she confided
| unhappily to her mother. 81 don't
believe he loves me-any more.
"why?" asked her mother, sagely
concea1ing smile.
He doesn't teh me so any more.".
| pouted Helen. He wouldn't even ad-
NIT my dress was pretty. When I
asked him he just grunted and told
me not to be silly. II believe he's
got another-girl.'
Maybe he's run out of endearing
| words" suggested that wise old lady.
COR maybe he's looking around little
now that he's making money. But l
guess he's getting tired and jaded,
Wait awhile and see
SO Helen waited, but as time drew
on matters seemed to be getting worse.
Even his presents grew fewer and his
manner more reserved, until Helen
could stand it no longer. There must
be another girl, she decided. The
question arose: Should she ask him
about it? Nonsense, she unused. what
! would be the use? He'd deny it
! She'd have him watched-that was it.
| And then she shuddered. What let
anybody know how much she cared p?
| Never! But realizing her need of an
| ally, she consulted her best friend.
Doris Clayton, and Doris drew her
| father into the plan. Sure, Mr.. Clay
| ton would help her. He had an idea,
| he admitted. but 1t would take nerve.
| Helen assured him she had plenty of
| that. And SO they got their heads to-
| gether.
| At 1880 the following afternoon a
party OF three waited for Marley
| Heights bus, at the end of the Eighth
| Avenue line. Opposite them a huge
sign eighty feet high blazed forth in
| golden letters the Tremendous oppor-
| tunity at Marley Heights, with its
| wide streets, modern sewerage and its
| bound-to-rise values.
/ 'Ugh!" shuddered one of the party,
| a slender young woman in heavy
widows weeds. Il hate to look at it.
Sup-suppose he finds me out -
He won't my dear" Doris treasured
her, eff you'll let me do the talking.
He doesn't know me nor dad, and,
besides, daddy will wait in the office.
He knows MIR. Bartwell intimately
he's the manager
Almost Immediately an ornate
limousine, labeled in smart gray let
tering, Direct to Marley Heights"
drew into view and an alert young
chauffeur. in a respondent uniform
opened the door invitingly to Helen
and her party. He then offered them
a handsome box of chocolates.
Something to regale yourselves
with during the short ride he told
them smilingly. "Our company wishes
it's guests to be content" And he
leaped into his seat and drove off
Every fifteen feet a huge sign greeted
their gaze, proclaiming the mammoth
possibilities of this coming metropolis,
Marley Heights. And then the ma
chine entered long court of honor
tall, white painted columns-la beled
The Road to Wealth." And as if
mystically warned of their approach,
the strains of a brass band greeted
them as they rolled into a large open
space which the signposts called THE
Square"
Helen's heart gave a little tug as
| Bob Wakefield, with a winning smile
and Immediately groomed, fastened
toward them. Helen and Doris met
Kim, while Mr.. Clayton turned toward
the office.
welcome to Marley Heights, la
dies" he greeted them oilily, and
Helen shivered-he hadn't been that
nice to her lately. "Will you follow
me?"
y And then. as he showed them over
the vast tract. Explaining volubly it's
many Advanes ges, Helen started TO
grow distrustful of both. 1t seemed
patent to her that Doris was flirting
with Bob-her Bob.
The greatest chance in your life,
miss" Bob was saying. you and
your mother should locate here. You
will pardon me. I'm sure, if l say it.
but I'm only human. A pretty girl
like you ought to do what she can to
keep looking attractive. And what is
more attractive than a pretty girl in
a pretty home in a fine neighbor-
! hood ?" He leaned closer to Doris, so
. that Helen barely heard him whisper,
I'D especially love to have you out
. here. I live here myself. and-well,
you know" And Bob managed a we'll
simulated blush. Helen shuddered
What dup1icity,
But why Doris further shocked
> Helen, why can't you call to see ME
in town.
I'm so busy.r Helen felt reIieved to