The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-10
Euening Story
A Birthday Adventure.
BY LILY wANDEL.

kill the long day ahead.
She had been married a little more
than a year. and outside of a few
friends of her husband, who did net
interest her, she did not know any one
in the city Each day passed as the
one before-a little housework, a lot
of dressing and a round of shopping or
reading. She was frankly tired of the
department stores, and her eyes stung
from too much reading. She was more
than bored: she was suffering, longing
for companionship; some one eongen-
ial. Today at least must be different,
for it was her birthday. The frown
disappeared, and a smile curved her
pretty lips as a bright idea came to
her. Skipping to the phone she called
her husbands office number.
This is Avora, Herbert. I'm awfully
lonesome. honey; how about our hav-
| ing lunch together at some nice
| place" Her voice vibrated with
eagerness.
sorry came back the answer. but
have an appointment with business
j friend at the club, dear"
! She hung up the receiver slowly, her
chin quiveriag not so much from dis
appointment as from the monotonous
view ahead. Then quite suddenly she
| tossed her head pertly
Why not pretend" she laughed
| pretend that I'm going to meet some
one for lunch and be happy in the ex-
pectation!"
She sauntered slowly along the
sunlit city streets, enjoying the crowds,
the early summer breeze and most of
all the silly little pretense of meeting
| som ebody for lunch.
Now let me see; where will I meet
my phantom companion Oh, l know;
, in the lobby of the Albemar1e. where
Herbert and I have met occasionally"
And she walked on carelessly, happily
| to the hotel.
For awhile she watched with en-
| vfous eyes how one woman after the
other snlilingly welcomed her escort
husband or friend, and disappeared
together in the nearby dining room
Then she was attracted by a young
man entering the lobby. He had a
pleasant face and was Immediately
dressed. He interested Avora. His
glance went around the lobby search
iRgly, then stopped and looked at her
keenly, SO that the blood shot into
her round cheeks. He advanced, smil-
ing confidently and Avera, confused,
not sure just what to do found her
mind that here was an opportunity fer
a half hours innocent amusement-a
break in the run of monotonous days
When he came near murmuring,
| You remember me, don't your" she
nodded cheerfuIly and made room on
the Settee for him to sit down
He was a most entertaining talker
Avora listened fascinated by his ac-
4 counts of his travels in South Amer
lea. She found Herself asking ques-
tons and making laughing, witty re-
plies.
He told her about Buenos Ayres; he
spoke of the wealth of the city, the
wonderful public works and build
ings. He spoke SO eonvincingly that
! AVora, who had been always bored
With anything pertaining to the Latin
America, found herself keenly inter-
ested.
This is not hearsay," he went on.
81 have been there lately. 1t is a won
derfu1 opportunity"
For what?" asked Avora
ITO invest" answered the young
man earnestly tho unexpectedly. His
companion drew back puzzled. 1.-THE
, city has issued some new per cent
? bonds; they are wonderfully secured
1t IS safe investment" etc.
If he had suddenly drenched Avora
in ice water he could not have chilled
burning modification. He had chosen
her as a possible customer for his
bonds and she had fallen for his
smooth talk.
Instantly she rose to her feet, ad-
, justing her fur. 81 have an appoint.
ment,' she remarked Jelly.
D He accompanied her to the street
still talking about the bonds. 81 don't
!, ask you to decide now Here is my
l card; look me UP in a day or So If
there is anything 1 can do for you OF
explain"
: She ignored the proffered paste.
board and nodding CURLY disappeared
! in the afternoon throng.
When she reached home painting
, with Indignation she paced the flooi
filled with notifying thoughts and
e threw herself, wretched with self-re-
proach, across the bed. Conscience
= began to prick, too, so that finally the
only relief was to decide to tell Her
: bert all about it. 1t was odd, tho she
r thought with just touch of vanity
that he would take me for a woman
{ of wealth." And that comforted q
little. Herbert has talked to me about
; investing that little legacy Aunt Har-
! riet left me, but never could get in
E terested in bonds and things
E She put off telling her husband till
after dinner, and then when they were
: seated cozily in the little living room
she found it very difficult to begin
, 1t had happened so naturally, but to
tell about it made the whole thing
} seem very common and ridiculous
Herbert" finally in a faltering
voice, bending low over a bit of en-
broidery. "a mana young man-was
telling me about Argentine bonds
ooh, yes" interrupted her husband
looking up from his paper, that's so
Well, how did you like young Rigby
Nice, smart boy? Did you remember
him?"
Avora looked up open-mouthed
then No mean" stopped, feeling
very foolish.
II told him. ten to one my wife
won't remember that I introduced you
one day in the brokers' office. I told
him to try our apartment first and il
you were out to try the shopping dis
trict; also might try the lobby of the
Alben1arle. Where did he meet you p
''Albemarle," answered Avera weak
ly- Herbert. did you want him to
sell me a bond %
+Oh, I don't know. dear. You see
your voice sounded SO lonesome over
the phone. and after you had hung uT