The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-12-06
Euening Story
Out of the Dusk.

Margery Orvis had never stopped to
think of the danger that lay for her
J in her habit of leaving the coal office
after dusk. Old Martin, who owned
the business, had never reached the
point of moving his office from his
! yards to some uptown locality, nor had
he changed the old system of having
his drivers collect the money for coal
delivered.
He had found Margery so clever and
keen that soon he was leaving the Of
flee early for his home, and she was
| taking the money from the drivers.
Many times the great coal yard was
gray with dusk before she slipped
homeward from the office.
1t did not occur to her that any one
would rob her. for no one was sup
posed to know that she left with the
entire money collected during the day
Some did know. however.
On that particular evening she was
hurrying down the road between the
bins when her heart jumped at the
sound of rushing steps.
She half turned to be grasped tight
ly around the body and to feel the in
nocent bag she carried snatched from
her hand. In the same moment, in a
wild effort she seized her assailant
about tho neck, but with an oath he
tore loose, flinging her aside, and dis
appeared.
She drew herself quickly to her feet,
but the dusky silence of the deserted
yard gave back no sign of the robber
She stood helpless, a bit dazed: then
thru her consciousness came the hint
that she held something in her hand
She held it up In wonder and then
shivered with the shock of what she
saw She had seized and torn away
part of neektie, and in it was sthl
fashioned firmly a pin of peculiar de-
sign. She stared at it, recognizing it
beyond any question. feeling her blood
grow chill within her.
Half in a stupor she made her
way to the car line. and then to her
room in the quiet residential section.
She studied the pin. There could be
no doubt: Alden Kenyon was her as
sailant. Her world of dreams began
to tumble about her.
Since the day of her coming to the
coal office, the old dealers son. Reed
Martin, had pressed his suit upon her,
and she had liked him-even to the
extent of loving him if lit had not
been for her strict little Puritan body
and mind.
His habits were against him. and
she valued her own clean body and
soul too much to risk it in his care.
And then had come Kenyon. merry
and frank of eye, poor but honor
strong, the type of man she could
love.
Reed had brought him to the office,
for the two worked IN the same estab-
lishment in the city, little thinking
he was bringing a rival Now the
one she trusted had failed her.
II was too hasty. 1 really did sot
know him." she said to herself Bit
terly. recalling the evenings with him,
the pleasant times. the shy exchange
of words and moods such as only
Lovers know. Tears came to her eyes
as she, remembered. "Oh, Alden!''
She slept little that night. her mind
facing the issue that had arisen. He
knew when she left the office; he
knew she carried the money collected
during the day, and she, on her part,
knew that her love for him had been
the quick, Instructive kind that rea-
son does not guide with firm, directing
finger
She turned to the pillow at last,
tears coming, but with her mind made
up to tell the stern old business man
just what had happened.
She was not spared further shock.
On her way to the yards the next
morning she saw a familiar figure
swing onto the car. and found her
self looking up into Alden's tender.
smiling eyes.
Hello, little girl. I thought would
wait few cars in hopes of seeing
YOU I want to engage you for the
evening" he said easily.
Y am not free she answered as
coQlly as she could, altho trembling
within; He was wearing the very suit
he had worn when he robbed her. How
keeniy she recalled that gray stripe
she Dad seen as she struggled,
Il suppose it is Reed this time.
Well. I can't complain. You have
treated me fairly" he said genially.
10 oh @pif 1aar hut h. la
little to say, and when he dropped
from his car at his destination she was
relieved, although she could hardly re-
strain herself from following his
swinging form as it disappeared in the
crowd.
All that day she fought a silent bat
tle-whether to tell Mr.. Martin of
what had happened and who the
guilty party was. Like a Gagged animal
her mind went back and forth. At last
she sought, freedom.
The gray-haired veteran listened to
her story without comment; then he
said gravely: THE evidence is clear
against him. My dear little girl. you
must learn, as we all learn, not to
trust a handsome face. a friendly way.
until it has been wasted. I'll send for
him and see what he has to say Ny
boy likes him, and hate to have him
Jailed"
She suffered in silence until hours
later, released from his work he came
He was changed in some way, and she
guessed that he sensed what he was
wanted for.
Z She caught him impulsively as he
started for the private office door. and
whispered, "Oh, Alden" Then, re-
covering and remembering. she backed
off. leaving him bewildered, glad
smile on his face fading to a shadow of
pain.
Martin called her in after little. She
went with trembling step. Alden sat
white-faced and silent in a corner,
wearing the look of a trapped man.
Martins voice was grim. "Margery.
Kenyon admits that the pin is his. 1t
is such an odd one that doubt IL he
could do otherwise. and he practically
admits that he robbed you, altho he
won't say So"