The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-10
THE BROWN CLOAK.


bombazine CLOAK, originally bright brown,
but now faded in as many streaks as q
zebra hide, which had hung Prom time i'm
memorial in the back entiS.
"There amt no more use In that old
dud," he thought And it'll keep the
cold out, and If Philena makes fuss I'll
give her new blanket shawl"
Mrs. Waterman went of rejoicing. Pres
emily Mrs. Foxglove and Seraphina came
home from the weekly meeting of the So
ciety For the Helpers of the Heather in
jubiIant spirits
George Paterson was there" said Mrs.
Foxglove. "He said he came after his
aunt, but it's my belief that he wanted to
walk home with Seraphina."
Seraphina hung down her head and said
nothing.
ola, me- said Mrs. Foxglove from the
Kitchen, what has come to things? Here's
the cold chicken and the apple pie gone.
And the cover off the butter jar tooi''
eyes" said the farmer, coughing. 81
Il got sort o. hungry, SO thought I'D
Jest AXE a snack !"
where's the bombazine cloak, pa9" said
Seraphina after the somewhat frugal sup
per, as she took the milking pail. cts
raining little, and the COWS haven t come
home from pasture yet"
eff had pair Of eyes, I'd use them, +"
said Mrs. Foxglove, coming to the rescue
and viewing the row of empty pegs with
an eager glance. "Well, declared Ne
hemiah, turning to her husband, "that
comes of leaving you to keep house You
must have gone off and left the door open,
and some tramp has got in and robbed US. :"
81 did just step out to the woodpile for
some more logs said the farmer, thank
full for the avenue of escape that was open
ed to him. "But wasn't gone long"
He wriggled uneasily in his cushioned
rocking chair.
st wish old Mrs. Waterman had been in
Jericho before she came hereP' he said to
himself.
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, singing
softly to herself, folded an old striped shawl
around her taper shoulders and went out
to the pasture after the truant COWS.
Old Tulips bell was jangling among the
silver stemmed birches on the bleak hill.
They were already on the holneward path,
but Seraphina loitered unnecessarily on the
footbridge that spanned a brawling brook.
All was still and dusk, certain frosty
sweetness was in the autumn air, and the
only visible person was g woman farther
down the brook, who was dipping out wa
ter.
Suddenly there was another step-strong,
swift and full of purpose. Seraphina's eyes
frightened; vivid color rose into her
checks.
I
"there comes Georger'
To her surprise and dismay, however, the
cavalier did not come up the hill, but staid
his steps beside the other woman below.
"He is throwing his arms around her
neck" thought the indignant Seraphina.
i'He is-yes, he is actually kissing heri
But don't care. Why should care? I'm
sure it don't matter to me-
Seraphina hurried the COWS home and
finished the milking in less time than ii
had ever taken her before. She was just
carrying il the foaming pail when a tall
figure approached.
''Seraphinal'
'iPray don't trouble yourself to speak to
me" said Seraphina, with a toss of the
head. "Or if you do, please call me Miss
And Seraphina vanished through the
kitchen door.
whats the matter, Phinyf" said her
mother, noticing the girls quick move
ments and heightened color.
Nothing, MAJ said Seraphina.
1t was getting toward 9 O'Clock when
there came a knock at the deor. Mrs Fox
glove opened it There stood the Widow
Waterman.
81 hope I'm not intruding," said Mrs.
Waterman, "but here's the brown bonn
bazine cloak, Mr.. Foxglove, and, humbly
thanking you all the sape, I'd rather not
wear it. -
"Eh2" said Mr.. Foxglove in amazement.
cit was very kind of you to give it to
me-" went on Mrs. Waterman, to the ut
ter discontinue of the poor farmer. "but
there's some things as human flesh and
blood can't bear, and to have Deacon Pull
aby's son asking if he could not see me
home when I come out of the store, and
Mr.. Ferdinand Puff saying was / to be at
the dance at Melinda Edwards on Tues
day night, and might he call for me at s
o'clock-well, it's rather upsetting. But
the worst of it all was when 1 went to gel
a little water at the brook. A young fell
low seized hold of me and was going to
kiss me. I believe it's the brown cloak as
done it all, with a meaning glance al
Seraphina Foxglove. $50, if you would
please to take it back, I'll try and get
along with my old shawl spell longer.
And the roast chicken was very good, sir,
and that apple pie couldn't be beat -
There was a moments direful silence,
and then Mrs. Waterman sidled out of the
room and betook herself once more to the
mysterious silence of the night.
well, l declareP' said Mrs. Foxglove
''Ma, don't scold pap said Seraphina,
half way between laughing and crying.
The farmer feebly rubbed his hands.
81 think I'll go to bed said he.
And he went. Seraphina, running out
AOT a PITCHER VI wafer, 6ne 44sG bD1HR DeIOre
shutting the house for the night, nearly
stumbled against George Paterson.
Goodness mel What are you doing?'
said Seraphina.
81 can't go home and sleep, Seraphina
while you are angry with me-" said the
poor fellow, who was very desperately in
love. "What have 1 done?''
Nothing" she replied. "Except-ex
cept that you can't blame me for being
jealous when see you hugging and kiss
ing the Widow Waterman
1T was the cloak, Seraphina-the brown
cloak that misled me-" pleaded George
Il thought it was you"
ooh, it's all very well to talkr' said
Seraphina.
Mrs Foxglove thought Seraphina hat
never before been so long in bringing