The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-15
EVENING STORY
A Race in the Night.
BY A. w. PEACH,

WAYS seemed more or less like a big
brother to Dorothy, and 1 want you (
to keep an eye on her while l am l
away That white-faced Martel has |
been hanging around more than like !
He's one of the romantic chaps who |
rattle a girls judgment. L shall be /
in Brazil for a month, probably. Just |
drift over, and keep an eye on her. |
She's a mere girl in many ways-and /
she may do something rash ana she !
may not.
Steadman readily agreed, tho a bit (.
amused by the turn of affairs He /
had known the dark-haired, dark !
eyed sprite of a Dorothy Haine since |
childhood, and with manhood had |
come a liking for her closely akin to
love; but for him she had never had
more than a brotherly greeting and
brotherly manner. Now he was to
be her guardian.
He expected little trouble, however.
out to the Haines estate from the city
and making a daily call. Steadman
planned to drift around also in order
to keep a check on events.
AS he left the big house after his
interview with Mr.. Haines, he found
her busily tinkering with her car. 1t
suddenly dawned upon him that she
was no longer a playmate, mere
girl, but a woman with much of a
girls heart.
way, I'm getting ready for spin
this afternoon"
She looked at him curiously as she
said it. He was puzzled by the glance,
but did not stop to fathom it. The
idea that she might want him for
passenger never entered his head.
After a word of friendly fun he
went on down the walk, without turn
ing. If he had turned he would have
seen the quaint girlish figure in its
working garb turn in his direction
and then, with shake of the head,
bend over the engine.
That afternoon, returning from
stroll with his dogs. the sudden guar
dianship that was his was brought
home forcibly to him.
He saw her car, and looking down
one of the paths running from the
road, caught a glimpse of her, and
near her the short, easy figure of
Martelt They were walking arm in
arm, and Martel, with head inclined,
was talking to her earnestly. A
strange uneasiness went over Stead
man.
He whistled a bit in order to at
tract their attention, for he wanted
to take the path himself.
They looked up in a startled man
ner, and Steadman saw Martefs an
cheeks. What had Martel been say
ing, Steadman wondered; and a slow
question formed in his mind. Was
Martel intending to take advantage
of Hainess absence
Steadman greeted them. and then
said to her: Dot. am coming over
to have a game of rummy with you
tonight. Are you game?"
She laughed at the old challenge.
! 1t was the game they had played for
years, and at which she had beaten
him by narrow margin. -
Sure, come along, Buddy. Perhaps
you can win thistime," she answered
in her quick way, only to hesitate and
| look worried as if some afterthought
had come to her mind.
Steadman caught too. MartePs
swift glance at her. but there did not
seem to be any particular meaning
in the glance.
| They passed and went on. Stead
man idled along, thinking little OF
the conversation and paying more at
tention to the dogs until he reached
his own house. There up thru his
mind came Haines's worried warning,
| She might do something rash"
Steadman stopped in thought
Could they have been planning some
scheme which involved a hasty depar-
| lure and perhaps a marriage that
could end only in regret for her?
Little, happy. day-hearted kid. she
! doesn't know enough about love or
m.
she's simply having a good time
With that conclusion he. dismissed the
subject from his mind.
| About 8 o'clock he set out to walk
to the meeting with her. 1t was a
pleasant evening and he did not hurry.
He found his thoughts turning again
and again to her. IF I could only
| teach her to love me-but what's the
use? have always been Buddy to
her; !, and girl doesn't marry a Bud
! dyH he thought to himself
His serene world broke into noise
when he crossed the threshold of the
house and was told by the surprised
maid that Dorothy had gone out in
her car. dressed as if for long trip.
She had telephoned to the yiIIaee
garage to be ready to oil the car
Steadman stared into the maids
anxious eyes and saw there the same
question that was in his own mind
He stepped to the telephone and call
| MISS Haines had stopped. WAS any
one with herr" Steadman asked
Yves, the answer came back tinged
with a bit of disgust that told how
the speaker regarded Martel
Steadman's blood rose. The maid,
running downstairs told him that Dor
othy had evidently managed to take
Two packed grips Once more at the
phone, Steadman ordered the fastest
car IN the garage to be made ready
Running out to the Haines garage
he drove cut the big seven-passenger.
ana sent it roaring away into the
dusk The miles drifted behind him
the village lights appeared: he swept
up to the garage with brakes scream
ing, and jumped out and into the low,
powerful roadster that was all ready
for action
The man pointed down the road
That way" he said shortly; land it
looked like skip and a minister to
be. Want me ?"
Steadman shook his head, touched
the throttle, stepped on the accelera-
tor and he was off. His eyes on the
white road before him under the glare
of the big lights, his mind intent on
his task, his heart filling with anger
at Martel, he sent the fast car thru
the night. Family he heard the wild
shouts of a car which he passed at
7 great SDRad The miles fIayu he