The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-13
Eoening Story
Double Guard.
BY DOROTHY DoIrcT.As

treme joy in his heart as If something
stupendous were about to happen in
his more or less prosaic existence.
Practically the only visit his sister,
Leona, ever had from him was a sur
prise. His sisters two children were
in bed by this time, but there was the
happy breakfast with the family and
then a dash for the train back to the
town. The ransacking of his well
laden pockets by the children was al
ways a new joy to Bobby. The Hydes
thought he spoiled their offspring and
Leona scolded, but to no avail.
So Bobby, his pockets bullying to
grotesque proportions, strobe the mile
thru the village that took him to the
small house on the hill. He always
and generally found them, since there
was no one ever to leave at home with
| the children.
None but a young couple. without
a servant, and having a child or two
can appreciate the tragedy of turning
down one invitation after the other
with the excuse, mo one to stay home
with the children"
! However, for the time being, Leona
had solved her difficulty.
Bobby did not know this and, as he
drew near the coy home of his sister,
he felt reasonably certain of finding
them home.
Leona never pulled down her blinds
and as usual the piano was going full
tilt. Bobby bounded up the veranda
steps and glanced in the window be-
fore making his noisy entraAce.
He drew a deep breath. Now he
knew what the stupendous something
waiting in ambush, or rather under
the soft yellow light above the piano,
was.
| 1t was a slip of a girl with smooth
black hair and the whitest of hands.
That was all Bobby noticed in the first
| breathless glace. He did not see
Leona nor Arthur but supposing them
| to be in the back room, opened the
| door and walked in.
| The girl at the piano opened wide
violet eyes upon Bobby, then prompt
| " proceeded to fall of the piano
bench. Apparently the sight of the
strange man, with pockets that seemed
bullying With murderous tools, right
within the room with her, was TOO
much for the Evening Guard.
Bobby shamelessly realized that he
was glad she had tainted Otherwise
| he would have had to await fate
kindness before holding the only girl
| in his arms.
| AS it was, when the heavy lashes
lifted and revealed to Bobby the very
| depths of violet eyes he was sad that
| priceless moments were SO soon over.
Grace Cox wondered, in that first
1 conscious moment, whether or not
4
breathlessness. Never had she felt
arms more firmly placed about her
! slim body However, Bobby's eyes
| scattered her fright. They had no
expression of violence in them. In
fact. Grace liked the peculiar sense
| of being caressed by those eyes.
| 81 am sorry you were frightened"
$50 am l." said Grace, sit shows
am not very good evening guard
for the children-when faint at sight
of a strange man."
But I am not a strange, man."
! Bobby argued. 81 am Bobby Warden
E--Leona's brother"
you are a stranger-to me-" con-
tradicted Grace.
We'll, growied Bobby, 'it is
ing her acquaintance with you"
Grace laughed.
':Leona perhaps does not consider
our friendship one of the episodes
of life
Has she known you long?" de-
Not more than two months
Grace told him.
"Hmph"' grunted Bobby. Then
suddenly, Where are Leona and
Arthur "
| Having dinner with the Evans
/ L nave DeCn SltI1ng over mere
/ with the children lately so that they
could go out evenings. I live just next
/ door"
Has Leona never told you what a
| nice brother she has?" asked Bobby
as it finally behooved him to remove
the great coat With its grotesquely
| bulgy pockets.
al think she did once mention that
she had BROTHER. Grace said, but
we always have far better things to
discuss than mer men" She de1iber-
ately checked the -dimple that strove
for expressio n.
| "Ohi Welt can go out and sit
in the barn." suggested Bobby.
"Better STILL" Grace decided, ST can
go home. There is no necessity for
two Of US to guard the children"
| Il most certainly will not stay"
! to the city. You evidently prom
| ised Leona to stay until she re-
turned He made ready to follow
out his intentions.
Grace looked up at the ireful young
giant, and there was something like
a sparkle of real anger in her eyes.
Bobby Warden! VIII you please
| tell me why you and are sorapping
like cat and dog before we even know
| each others names ?"
Il know why 1 am scrappy," said
Bobby darkly.
| why q"
Because YOU took such instant,
obvious and uncalled-for dislike to
| met
81 did nothing of the kind!" snap
! ped Grace and her cheeks were scar
| let He was out in the hall, SO that
| she had to shout. at him. q
| We'll, you told me 7 could go out
and sit in that cold barn, where the
cracks are an inch broad
You desired to go there. yourself
rather than have to sit here and guard
| the children with me."e.-s
Bobby was back in the room, his
dignity still with him and also his
| great coat was on.
81 did not refuse to sit in this room
| with you. I would rather sit here
with Sou than anywhere else on
L