The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-12
JUST TOO LATE.
said Mr.. Parrham.

well, she certainly was not an old maid,
but she was 80, with brown eyes and
bright chestnut hair and lips fresh and
crimson as the earliest straw berry of the
season. And Mrs. Parrham, the old bach
elor's sister-in-law, had been doing her
best to get up match between them.
''No, said Mr.. Parrham, 81 don't think
it is. Marriage is altogether mistaken
sob, Paulus!" chirped Mrs. Parrham,
with a tiny shudder. 'tThat's flying in
the face of Seripture!"
''How?'' demanded Mr.. Parrham.
''Don't the Bible say, 1T is not good for
man to be alone?''
'Ah-h-h," said Mr. Parrha1n convince
ingly, ''but we haven't lived up to the
Bible ever since. We have degenerated,
Sarah. Marriage is a mistake. Any man
who sells his birthright of freedom and
independence for wedding ring and
pretty face deserves to be put in bondage.
shah never be such a fooll'
Did Kitty's head drop very trifie as
Mrs. Parrham watched her? Nevertheless
there was a very perceptible movement of
relief in the room when Charley March
entered-a tall young fellow, with laugh
ing eyes and healthy complexion.
you don't know what you have lost,
Mr.. March, = said Mrs. Parrham lightly.
"What?'' demanded Charley.
GA dissertation on matrimony.''
"Oh. that's a question that have moth
ing to do with
And he glanced as he spoke at Kitty
Glenn.
Its too bad, said Mrs. Parrham to
Kitty that night.
'fWhat is too bad?" questioned Kitty
innocently.
''He would have made you such splen-
did husband, - sighed Mrs. Parrham.
"Poohl That's all past and gone''
While Mr.. Parrham, in his own snug
room, enwrapped as it were in the fra
GRANGE of Havana, chuckled to himself as
he thought how nicely he had outwitted
the scheming clique of women down stairs.
A week afterward and the mental and
spiritual CLINE had changed.
'I'm not going to be very SICK am IP''
asked Mr.. Parkham.
''Oh, moi" answered DR.. Medrick. TITS
nothing but little touch of infammatory
rheumatism 1 had a patient last week
who's been down with it for seven weeks.
Couldn't lift his finger without scream
ing, assure you!'
81 can't take care of him any longer,
Kitty" said poor little Mrs. Parrham,
coming out, pale and haggard, at the ex-
piration of weary fortnight. ''He says
I get the Cruel too hot and the tea too cold,
and step like an elephant, and rustic my
dress as if I were robed in newspapers,
and, do what WILL I can't please himl
And he won't have a nurse-a mere mer-
cenary, he calls it-and what shall do?''
"There, there" soothed Kitty. Don't
cryi I'll see what I can do"
Some people have dewy GOODNESS at their
fingers ends, mesmeric influences in every
step or touch. The inyaIid's fevered impa-
thence subsidized as she moved softly about
the room.
eff you were to stay and nurse me,
should get well, y he said piteously.
''Then I'll do my best" said Kitty
quietly. "Only, if you are not good,
shall go away
Mr.. Parrham frowned and then smiled.
After all, dignity aside, there was some
thing very pleasant in thus becoming
mere spoiled, humored child il such beau
tiful hands as those of Kitty Glenn, and
being admonished that he must be good
by voice which was as sweet as Bird s.
And the third day, as Mr.. Parrham was
waiting eagerly for his soup, in came his
sister-in-law.
where's Kitty?" he demanded dolor-
ously, wrinkling up his broad brow Like a
4-year-old about to cry.
ftShe's gone riding with Mr.. March.
It's quite an old engagement and she
couldn't very we'll escape it, but she will
be back by 4 o'clock"
'Four o'clock How am to get along
until then?"
''I'm sure I don't know said Mrs.
Parrham, who possessed one great dis
qualification for a sick chamber. TRY
your broth, Paulus. It's very nicel''
Its sca-a- aiding, - said the invalid. ST
won't touch a mouthful till she comes
back
"Do Paulus, urged Mrs. Parrham
nervously. ooh, dear, what will the doc
tor say?''
81 don't care what he says growled
the sick man.
When she came back, Mrs. Parrham in
obliged in a burst of hysterical sobs.
don t leave US again, Kitty" she be-
/ walled, cor shall certainly die! He Is
/ such trial"
/ And Kitty laughed and vver+ straight
/ into the sick room with her net still
j on to scold the patient for his l<,a behavior
kitty" said he one twilight as she
1 stood opposite him, looking very pretty
/ and very graceful, chow can ever thank
you for all you have done? 1t will take q
| whole lifetime to express my gratitude!"
81 hope not" said Kitty, struggling her
shoulders "That would be very tiresome
to both of usP'
Nevertheless 1 shall try it, said Mr..
Parrham. kitty, I've question want
to ask you
/ ASK away" said Kitty bnthely.
'FWill you be my wife?''
'Thank you,'' said Kitty, 'tbut I'm en-
gagged
"Engagedr'
eyes; to Mr. March, We are to be mar
ried in May
! "But, Kitty
ssFirst come, first served y asserted the
young lady calmly. 81 won't deny, Mr..
Parrham, that I did fancy you little
once, but you declared yourself devoted to
celibacy and Mr.. March was pressing and
eager, and-dear me, what was girl to
do?''
And as she ran blithely away Mr.. Parr-
ham sank back in his chair, convinced
that he was the most miserable OF men In
that he had made his matrimonial offer
"too late. New York News.