The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-06
Eoening Story
News From Fraser.
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.


Mother, sweethearts. friends, all
waited in vain for news from Fraser.
He simply wouldn't be induced to
let flow lengthy thought on paper.
Neither did he break this habit
when, having taken a position in New
York, far from his native Glasgow, he
really owed it to his friends and rela-
much-talked of big city should GER
tainly have found their way by letter
across the great pond.
But they did not and Ned Mcleod
closest of pals to Fraser, waxed elo-
quent in his expression of opinion re-
garding the closeness of the Scotch as
a race.
And, hoping to arouse the ire and
thereafter the penmanship of Fraser,
he secuted about Glasgow for an
American stamp, attached it to an
addressed envelope, inclosed a bit of
blank paper and sent it to Fraser.
Pull yourself together. old chap,
and write a nme or two" Ned had
written.
He and Fraser had been pals since
the day they met as office boys and
smoked their first cigarette together
Later they had gone to the war office
together, fought>the common enemy,
returned to Mother Scotland safe and
sound; and Ned Mcleod didn't intend
stand between him and the finest
friendship two men have ever known
And sFraser, upon receipt of the
stamped envelope. laughed good
humoredly. He put it in his pocket
with the inward reflection that Helen
Tranwood might be amused with it
Fraser was in the habit of talking
over everything that happened to him
and his with Helen. For a girl, Fra
ser considered her most happy mix
ture Of pal, and, well-Fraser didn't
know exactly what other. emotion
Helen was capable of arousing in him.
He only knew that the hours spent
with her were decidedly contented
ones, and he was grateful to the lack
of convention that had thrown them
together during a cold wait on the
wharf while each was awaiting the
arrival OF friends from the incoming
Baltic.
Fraser was ultra Scotch in the re-
serve of his mind, but inwardly he ad-
admitted that New York would be a
cold and CHASTITY place = be stationed
in were it not for the friendship of
Helen Tranwood.
They were having a cup of tea in
Helenis studio when Fraser showed
her McLeod'S letter
How would you like me TO write
Ned Mcleod and tell him all about
you, your business, your impressions
H.
Helen asked, half in jest, but fully
prepared to act on the impulse of the
moment.
Fraser gazed back at Helen, won
,dering il this suggestion were some
more of the American Kidding that
he was beginning to comprehend. He
had had many doses of that same kid
ding at the merciless hands of Helen.
The girl watched Fraser's expressive
brown eyes while he foundered before
the un-Scotch unconventionality of
her idea.
than most anyone else does" she add
ed, "and could write Mr.. Mcleod a
regular document of experiences-ifI
you will let me-
The eff you will let me" struck d
rather appealing note. Fraser laughed
at the little odd emotion it stirred
within him. He was not. in the habit
Of feeling any special emotion when
Helen was about. They were just
good pals.
"I don't mind" he said finally.
Ned will appreciate hearing in so
unique a manner"
Helen laughed. you couldn't pos
sibly have said charming instead of
unique" 1t was always a source of
great amusement TO her that this Scot
was so averse to paying compliment.
She delighted in trying to drag an oc-
casiona1 one from him.
So it happened that Helen Tran
wood and Ned Mcleod established a
most interesting and frequent news
service between Glasgow and New
York.
Fraser sat by much amused, and
when the letters came to Helen from
Mcleod he was not wholly conscious
that his mind leaped at every ex-
pressed thought therein to find out If
the news service was becoming per-
Tzrar frVf rr-fk The
sailing of many ships.
He certainly detected a fastgrowing
interest on McLeod's part for Helen.
Between the lines Fraser read a stead
lily augmenting desire for closer ac-
quaintance.
Mcleod sounded both Helen and
fraser as to the ACCESSIBILITY of his
crossing to New York.
That was the first real jolt that
Fraser's calm mental state received.
Why should Mcleod come across the
Atlantic if not because he was bent
on meeting Helen personally? Had
her letters SO much power as to draw a
perfectly unknown Scot three thous-
sand miles-a Scot with a most level
head and an otherwise reasonable and
sane outlook on life?-
And il Mcleod and Helen met. was
it not more than possible that serious
consequences might follow?
Fraser pondered long and darkly on
the probability of Helen and Mcleod
falling in love with one another and
the consequential hon eliness that he him
self would be flung into; the thought
was anything but pleasant.
= The following day when he saw
Helen he questioned her as he sup
posed subtly on the position of Mcleod
on her horizon Inwardly Helen
laughed while outwardly she blushed,
and most becon1ingly she did it.
Fraser frowned darkly. Helen was
not in the habit of flushing in that
peculiarly becoming way, nor of hid
ing the light OF her eyes from his
steady gaze.
Also Fraser could not remember
Helen's having looked so aliuring as
she did that afternoon in the soft gray
gown she was wearing.
II like your new frock." he found
himself saying.