The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-26
Epening Story
" Perfectly Scandal0us."
BY H. LOUIE RAYBOLD.

and knit and gossiped away the sum-
mer afternoons on the broad veranda
of the Willard Mountain Home. Per
fectly scandalous, my DEAR. Ana, no
doubt, the sentence was a just one.
At any rate, the facts apparently
smoke for themselves. Marion Bel
mont had arrived only two weeks ago.
Two days later had come John Ander-
son Gray. That much information the
hotel register vouched for. Yet in the
ridiculously short time since the two
had scraped up an acquaintance. de-
yeloped it into a Irritation and were
now spending hours together, I'M
chaperoned, climbing the mountains,
padding on the lake or occupying the
back seat of the hotel bus, with Pete
hired to drive them about the country
side.
"They didn't come in until twenty
five minutes past eleven last night"
whispered Miss Lapham with pursed
lips and limiting eyes. HE left her
outside her door, which is opposite
mine, and heard them giggiing and
laughing for quite ten minutes!'
YES" went on Mrs. Otis, who, ex-
cept by the grace of applied chemistry
would have been decidedly white
haired, land every morning before
breakfast she is down waiting for him
on the veranda!" The old ladies knit
ted faster thar ever.
Even Little Miss Scobie could not re-
frain from adding her contribution to
the rest, and she was the least cosby
room getting ready for my nap" she
breathed, when I happened to look
out of the window. They were coming
up the path by the spruces. And just
before they reached the turn they
stopped and Think am sure ne
kissed her!"
Meanwhile the shocking pair were
idly drifting in and out of pine-scented,
beauty-haunted bays of the little
mountain lake. Marion Belmont, ac-
cording to the register. sat lazily back
against the cushioned thwart of the
canoe, her slim hands folded on the
soft sport hat in her lap. her eyes
resting dreamily on the tanned face
of the man in the stern, John Ander-'
son Gray, according to the register.
"Alan," she said suddenly, docs 1t
seem possible that you have been here
nearly two weeks? How the time has
flown!"
at has, indeed, Betty" he replied.
and, hang it all, have simply got to
get back the first of next week.
IT know" she said. And of course
I must, too"
1--WE might as well go together, 1
suppose" he said.
wouldn't it look-rather odd?"
she asked, hesitatingly. IT am afraid
cussion as it is from the row of Mrs.
Grundies on the veranda!"
I've an idea" suggested the man.
Lets give them something really
worth worrying over. Let's elope!"
The person addressed dropped her
eyes. "Oh, Mr.. Anderson, 1 mean
John, really, really dol"
And if Mrs. Otis could have over
heard the conversation she would not
have needed the little episode in the
postoffice to supply her with the in
formation she gave out later to her
friends. CHANGING to be in the little
office Immediately in the rear of Miss
Belmonts white-lawned figure, she
could not help overhearing the latters
inquiry for the mail '4Any letters.
please" lifted the low contralto voice,
for Mrs. Brad-er, mean, Miss Bel
mont?"
''She isn't using her own name" was
the message Mrs. Otis brought her
confederates in disseminating scandal.
And she's married.
Il wonder if he knows" ventured
Miss Scobie, who concealed a lurking
admiration for the tall, well-knit fig
ure of John Anderson Gray. IF he
doesn't, it might be kindness to let
life. or anything like that"
The idea held an appeal to them all
Tor, Womanlike, they found it easier to
blame the woman than the man And
headS together, they plotted how to
drop the news with seeming careless
ness to the victim of the lady's
charms.
Phey managed it that very afternoon
with what might be called consider
able finesse. Miss Scobie was the ap-
pointed spokesman. "Oh. Mr.. Gray"
she said invitingly as that gentleman
came out from the office, for the mo-
ment unaccompanied isn't if a
beautiful day? By the way, Miss-Miss
beimont seems so young, you would
never think she was married."
Indeed not" agreed the gentleman
addressed, most heartily. Then, in
surprise. Married? Married? oh,
no, not married." And he disa ppear-
ed suddenly within.
Poor man." they murmured ct am
afraid it will go hard with him.
And apparently it did go So hard
that the very next morning the poor
man." without even waiting for the
bus, left the hotel, bag in hand, just
in time for the Q o'clock train
A Few minutes later the bus drove
up to the veranda steps. And the
waiting row of ladies gasped to see
Pete putting in Miss Belmont's trunk.
Was she following Mr.. Gray? Prob
ably not. More likely she could not
bear to stay, knowing her deception
had been discovered.
AS she came out, very trim in a
strictly tailored suit. small, veil-bound
turban and dark shoes and gloves,
Mrs. Otis could not refrain from say
ing, at would be So lonesome for you
here, without Mr.. Gray"
The other woman started to reply,
thought better of it, smiled whim-
sically, and bent down to the others
ear. Don't tell a SOUL" she muir
INJURED. Mr.. Gray and 1 are-eIop-
ingt"
Mrs. Otis opened both eyes and
mouth. "Eloping," she cried. "But
you are married.
Miss Belmont nodded.
And you're not widow"
Miss Belmont shook her head.
And you're not divorced?"
Again she shook her head. But
We belong to each other she whis-
pered fatuous1y, land that is all that
q Saair,ax - "a