The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-26
HER WRITING TABLE.

says my lady, "for you are going to write
a letter. You Will find everything you
want at my writing table," She says this
with rather a superb air. eff it wabbles, =
she adds more hastily, "put that little
where is it under the front leg. No, it
won't hurt it really. 1 keep it there for
the purpose. Oh, yes, it has good many
addresses in It, but 1 am afraid I haven't
put down most peoples numbers correctly,
SO I hardly ever use it. 1 think it is al
ways better to put dash instead of
number when you write to people, don't
you? Postmen are so intelligent.
If there is everything 1 want at the
writing table, might also suggest-only,
of course, wouldn't be such a brute
that there are several things upon it which
I don't want
The principal articles on the table are
as follows: A penwiper, with group of
silver dachshunds OH the top; two vases of
flowers and an TART pot with bulrushes
in it, patent contrivance for moistening
stamps, two large pockets Of dress pat
terms (''if not returned in ten days, will
be charged SIS. Sd. y, magnifying glass,
a massive silver inkstand with q receptacle
for ink about the size Of thiTnble inside,
a knowing looking cashbox without a
key, china monkey, two quill pens with
broad points, their feathers stiff with gum,
having been lately used to paste pictures
in a scrapbook; a photograph frame of
untarnishaoie metal a case for post cards,
a case for Irvine, q case for almanac cards,
a case for stamps (ail these empty and
case for Bradshaw Q8S9).
"Oh, do you want some note paper?' my
lady exclaims in q tone in which natural
surprise mingles with pretty impatience
for not having noticed my want sooner.
at is in the right hand drawer. Iou open
r x-754 n l--1ifo-lnOl- In
''I'm afraid there is no note paper here, -
says my lady, pushing her slender hand,
lace rufles ard all, to the back of the
drawer and pulling out some moro dress
patterns and & quantity of unpaid bills,
''but IN run and get some from papa's
study
ooh, no; DON'T
"Why not?''
81 don't know. Stay here. Show me
again how this drawer opens"
Nonsense; the drawer is open, and it
Is nearly post time. -
'My letter is lot important"
'But you said it was
81 don't think it is now
"Oh, - rather quickly, II think should
like TO get you that note paper.
"And now"-layirg it before me-''you
must write your letter quickly if you want
to get it of in time. And you mustn't
Lalk any more.
II won't. But isn't there something
rather bunny in this blotting book?''
tOh, yes that is chocolate. I always
keep it in the pocket OF my blotter, and
then my maid doesn't eat it. Take it out
while you are writing, but put it back
again
won't you take it out for me?''
"No. But you may eat some of it if you
like
My lady sits down in a basket charts
creaks ghtfully-and takes her kitten
on her knee. The kitten makes playful
pats at her with his paws, crouches down
on her knee and springs at her hand, fas-
tening his claws in her lace. Ny lady
shakes her head reprovingly, then seizes
him and holds him close to her and pre-
tends to kiss him
''You dent seem to be getting on with
your letter very quickly"
Il can't bear to sit here and see that cat
destroy your rufles.'
Kitty and L will take another chair"
"Come now; that's not fair"
'tIt's nearly post time. You really must
get on with that letter.
''Well, will you go back and sit in the
basket chair?'
''No."
al can't wfite unless you do"
"That's silly"
cit is true"
och, we'll
The basket chair begins to creaS again.
wish I could relnem Der what was GO
ing to say in this letter. I really would
get on with it if [ could, but for the life
of me l can't remember what was going
to write about. The kitten has gone on u
tour of discovery round the room, and my
lady sits with lightly folded hands looking
out of the window.
The china monkey grins at me. I do
wish 1 could remember what wanted to
say. 1 suck the top of my pen; it tastes
bad.
Presently my lady looks round. When
she turns her head, it just makes a man
feel inclined to stare heiplessly at her and
wonder how she docs it. All the old
SMILES about swanIke movements and
fowerlike grace seem horribly inadequate
when my lady turns her head. She bends
it little forward as she turns it, and one
sees the wonderful lines of her neck and
shoulder and tho contour Of her cheek,
clear cut against the light from the win
dow.
"You are quite sure you have every
thing you want?''
II is possible that she has been expect
ing to hear the scratching of my pen on
the paper fer some time past
81 am quite sure 1 haven't"
ooh, am so sorry" says my lady She
rises from her chair and comes half way
across the room toward me- Then she sees
me looking at her, and she stops.
"You knew meant writing materials, 4"
she says, with terrible severity.
but there isn't any ink"
''Oh, dear! Has it dried up AGAIN."
sit has, and am quite sure these pens
are not fit to use
'Oh, and it is past post timel What
will you dor ann afraid it is all my fault. "
81 am sure of is.
Il really did think there was everything
in that writing table - Then again,
What will you do?'
Il think I'll go for walk in the garden
with you
"Oh, but am so busy
''Stil 1 really think you ought to do
something to make up for making me lose
the post
well, it must only be for a few min