The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-07
Eoening;Story
Cold Feet.
E BY R. RAY BAKER.

BY r. RAY BAKER.
When Dexter Runnels scampered
b1ithesomely up the brownstone steps
OF the Dolliver home at five minutes
to he fully expected that within the
next two hours Marion would begin
spelling her last name with a capital
R. The arrangements were all made.
The minister had been engaged, Dex-
ter had his license and honeymoon
railroad tickets and was dressed and
groomed for the ceremony-but Mar
ion was not at home.
Under Dexter's light brown over
coat were his best clothes. They were
not full dress. because it was going to
be an informal occasion and because
Dexter had no such outfit. He had
never found time to get measured for
formal afternoon clothes. His stock
business occupied his attention every
waking minute and he was almost in
clined to begrudge the halliday need
ed to have the connubial knot tied.
But things were going to change. He
had resolved to slow up his nerve
racking business pace when he be-
came established in his new home.
Not only had he resolved it, but Mar
ion had served an ultimatum that de-
manded it.
I'm going to have my share of your
time whether we get rich or ,starve,"
she had said. Its not only that
won't be neglected, but this intensified
activity of yours is making you abb
il you forgot the date for our mar
riage."
But Dexter had marked the calen-
dar and he had not forgotten. Early
that morning he had wired: ''Will
leave New York on 1880 train This
gave him a good two hours leeway, in
case the train was late, for Marion's
ri w CT
from the metropolis. But the train
had been practically on schedule, so
Dexter had time to spare.
As he pushed the bell button beside
the Dolliver door he felt that he was
shedding his business cares. No more
frenzied finance for him. He had in
stalled an able manager in his office
and nov he could take things easier.
And Dexter had slowed up in an
other way-in the matter of caution
1nasmuch as his shoulders soon would
be bearing the responsibilities of pro-
viding livelihood for two, he had
adopted policy of Took twice" The
first consequence of the new policy
was decision to back out of a deal
in new motor stocks for which ar
rangements had been made in Detroit.
1t looked like an opportunity to reap
big profits. but there was also a chance
of going financially flat. Under the
old policy. he would have taken a
chance; under the new one, he was
afraid. So this very day he had sent
wire to Detroit reading:
call off the deal for a while I've
got cold feet
The bell was not answered, so he
pressed it again; but still there was no
response. 1t was queer that Marion's
father had not met him at the station
with the automobile, but the fact that
no one answered the bell was strange.
However. he reasoned probably
Marion was busy dressing. and the rest
of the household occupied with other
matters attending the marriage.
There were no servants.
He tried the door. but it was locked
He went to the rear entrance, but en-
countered no more success there.
Furthermore, the blinds were down. a
fact he had not noticed, when he APP
preached the house. His mind had
beeR>too occupied. Now it was occu-
pied fully as much, but less abstract
eddy. A very concrete problem con-
fronted Dexter.
went to the garage. The door was
fastened, but thru a window he ascer-
tanned the car had been removed. 1t
looked as il the Delivers had gone for
an all night trip, else the garage door
would have been left open.
Dexter. for all of his lifelong resi-
dence in New York. had never seen
the whirlpool of Niagara; but now he
pack along the cement driveway. A
had an idea of how it would feel to be
caught in the seething vortex. for his
brain had been transformed into a
maelstrom. He was dazed as he
turned from the garage and started
call from the house next door brought
him to a halt.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dolliver and their
daughter went away this morning in
their car" said a man in a smoking
jacket, looking out of a window.
'"They had a trunk fastened on be-
hind, so suppose they've gone for a
tour"
Thanks" returned Dexter. weakly.
and he staggered from the premises
and wandered aimlessly down the
street. suffering from a wide-awake
nightmare.
He obtained a room in a hotel and
sat down to study the problem; but
the more he thought the worst the
situation appeared and the less he
could make head or tail OF it. Marion
had left him in the lurch, there SEEM
ed no doubt of that, but it also
seemed that she might have gone to
the trouble to let him know that she
had changed her mind. Surely there
must be some good reason, and he
was resolved to find her and learn
what it was
He could think of no more probable
destination for the Dolliver motor
party tndn 6ocneSter, Where MT DOT
liver's brother resided. Dexter had
visited the brother in company with
Marion and a mutual liking had de-
veloped between the two men.
Dexter went to the telephone, and
after a half-hour wait got in connec-
ton with Marion's uncle at Rochester
and asked whether he expected a visit
from his brother.
Yes" was the reply over the wire.
Il received a telegram this morning
that they were coming by automobile.
but they haven't arrived"
Dexter was not long in acting on
this Information, and a half hour