The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-17

dissolved the pellet in the tea, was sue
cessful in getting my mother-in-laW
to drink 1t, and was rewarded little
later by her falling into deep slum-
Der, drug-indueed, of course. but yet a
blessed oblivion.
Then the young man with the lantern.
as mentally designated him, gave
quiet command TO Katie to stay with
her. another to Jim and Mrs, Ticer 70
prepare some tea and hot milk for me,
and then with a slight but firm pressure
upon my arm led me to the living room,
put me into an arm chair, and seated
himself opposite me.
I felt, somehow, as though he always
hEd been in that room, as If his giving
orders for me was the perfectly natural
thing. His earnest young face, with
warm blue-gray eyes, his 1.-THE, we'll
knit figure, held a personality which I
felt was used to meeting emergencies
and to handling people. For the first
second since my baby disappeared ]
found myself pnconsciously depending
on some one beside myself.
please Wire This Man"
1--WE won't waste time. Mrs. Graham"
he said brIslSIy. MY name is Tom Ches-
ter, and I happen to be the commander
of the local post of the American Legion.
I heard OF your trouble only an hour
ago, and have sent word to round up
all the boys. and we'll begin at once a
systematic search for your child. with
our army experience to back US. And
now want to know just how best can
serve you, personally. Please consider
me Just a sort Of errand boy"
His winning smile, his earnest eyes,
were things to remember. I felt heart
ened in the tiniest degree, braeed for the
terrible hours of waiting I saw before
me.
rs there any one you want me to send
for7" he asked. -,.-s
I brought my bewildered brain to focus
on his question. For whom could I
send? Lillian, always my rock of refuge,
was so Ill that no word of my tragedy
must be allowed to reach her. Mrs.
TIGER had met Robert Savarin upon his
return from the hospital with the whis-
| pered news. and at my request, relayed
to him, he had kept Marion In her room.
! away from any chance OF the tidings
reaching her. My father and Allen
Drake were travelling. and did not
know their address, although a wire
to headquarters would eventually reach
them.
found myself thinking of two men
Numerically opposite In temperament
and character. yet alikeI had reason
| to ibelieve-in their zeal to serve me.
Harry Underwood and Hugh L4rantland.
I had no idea where Harry Underwood
might be. and would not have sum
moned him IL had. But Hugh Grant
land! Always, whenever he changed his
/ address, came a pencilled line to me
| with the new address on il, nothing
more. I knew that he meant me always
| to be able to can upon him in any emer-
| gency, knew also that Dicky would be
| furiously angry IL I awaited myself of
| the officers services. But Dicky was
/ nowhere to be fOunQ.
With sudden determination rose and
walked to my writing desk. wrote Hugh
Grantlapds name and address upon a
slip Of paper, put bin with it and
| handed it to Mr.. Chester.
/ "Please wire this man the circum-
stances, and ask him to come at once"
! I said.
I'm do It without delay" he replied.
Then I'll come directly back here
! I felt curiously alone when he had
I left. as one does upon the withdrawal OF
strong. helpful personality. But he
had scarcely left the house before a
motor car dashed into the yard. and the
| next instant, Dicky, white-faced and
wild-eyed. confronted me.