The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-24
EUening Story
Over the Radiophone.
By FRANK H. WILLIAMS

tened In on her radlophone concerts
every evening.
Ted and Mary had together become
greatly interested in radio while at
tending college, and Ted had at first
been delighted when upon their re-
turn to their home town Mary had
been given a contract to sing three
times a week for the local broadcast
ing station, which was managed by
Wilkens. But this delight had soon
changed to jealous rage when he saw
the apparent interest with which
Mary welcomed Wilkens' advances.
OF late Ted hadn't seen much of
Mary-she had been so busy with
her concert work and with the atten-
lions which Wilkens showered upon
her that there hadn't been time in
which to see her old school friend.
So that evening Ted sulked in his
boarding house room and almost de-
termined not to listen in on Mary's
concert, in spite of the fact that she
had sent him a little personal note
telling him that she was going 20
sing some new songs this evening and
making a special request that he lis
ten to her.
Ted stared glumly at his receiving
set. What in the world could she
scrupulous, hard, brutal. Ted felt
that he could read character, and it
was his opinion that, if pressed, there
was almost nothing at which WilkeEs
WOulQ stop. r or instance, IoQ IN MS
bitterness told himself that If Will
kens knew about tie money Ted now
had in his I DOM there'd be nothing
Wilkens wouldn't do to get it. This
thought rather worried Ted. It was
a big sum of money, $1,000, and it
wasn't his. 1t was all in the shape of
unregistered Liberty bonds and Ted
was forced to keep it overnight in his
room. He had received it that day in
a business transaction for the firm of
vault at the local bank had damned
shut that ,-fternoon and would have
to be opened on tie morrow by ex-
perts.
Ted felt that he didn't really need
to worry and yet he did worry. He
worried about the money and he wor-
ried about Mary, with whom he was
very deeply in love. But there was
nothing to be gained from simply
worrying, so Ted tuned his receiving
apparatus and started to listen in on
the evenings entertainment from the
broadcasting station where Mary was
employed, about a mile from Ted's
boarding house.
Mary was singing when the first
sounds came to Ted over the radio
phone. He clinched his fists at the
words.
st love you truly, truly, DEAR" came
Mary's sweet, thrilling voice.
So this was why she wanted him to
hSlSH III MS was neE way OF nOIlIy-
ing him that she had definitely de-
cided to take Wilkens. All the world
went black to Ted at this thought. He
wanted to hear no more. He reached
up to take the receivers from his ears.
But now the song broke off sud-
denly.
A sound of connection in the broad
casting station came to Ted over the
radiophone. Then a high pitched
scream. Then
voice that was surely Mary's yet so
changed by terror that it was entirely
different.
Mary in danger!
Ted dashed the receivers from his
ears and leaped to his feet. He must
reach her as quickly as possible. And
even then he might be too late!
Ted's room was on the top floor of
the boarding house Down the stairs
he raced to the room of Dick Thomp-
son on the first floor.
"Quick, get your carl" Ted cried to
Dick, dashing in on the lated. I'll
tell you why as we go along"
Dick was an eager young fellow, al
ways ready for excitement or adven-
ture, SO he needed no urging.
Soon they were scurrying down the
street in Dicks speedy little road
ster.
you know where the broadcastins
station is?" queried Ted, following his
recital OIL just WHAT I1do I1dQpGn0Q-
''It is in that tall building near the
far end of Calhoun street, isn't it?'
said Dick in response.
yes" said Ted. I'VE ought to see
it in a minute now
For a moment there was silence in
the car as they forged onward. Thel
a little exclamation came from Ted
as they turned a corner.
That's It'll" he exclaimed, involun-
tarily extending his hand toward a tall
building visible ahead.
For answer Dick put on more speed. |
But another queer exclamation
came from Ted as he placed his hand |
on Dicks shoulder.
do you see that light-top of the |
building?" cried Ted. There it isl
now it's gone again.
Sure, I see it," Dick replied. |
''why?"
wait Slow down." demanded Ted. !
iIt can't be Yes, by Jove, it is! |
For few minutes Ted watched the |
light in apparent fascina-
ton, his hand resting heavily all the i
time on Dicks shoulder ami indicating |
by its pressure the high tension of |
excitement under which he was la
boring.
Suddenly Ted turned to Dick, his
face drawn with excitement.
Turn around-hurry back-Quick! |
Quick!" Ted fairly yelled
Ted saw Dick gaze at him in aston
Ishment.
''why turn back?" queried Dick.
There's no excitement there. I |
thought you said the excitement was
1t this broadcasting station?"
"Quick! You'll find out why soon !
enough. Hurry back-hurryi" cried
Ted in response.
There was smething so compelling
n Ted's voice and so certain in the |
way he spoke that Dick obeyed. In a
more they were scurrying
back to their starting point at an even
greater speed than they had left it.
Keep quit. Follow me. B. ready
FOR fight" admonished Ted as he
ed the way into the house and started I
creeping up the stairs to his room.
The door to Te+'s room was shut,
put not locked. As the two young
mar, zfnnd nnfsida the do. HSfanirn,I