The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-24
AN EVERY DAY AFFAIR.
[From the Boston Post. !

Tt was clearly evident that some pro-
blem more serious and perplexing than
that of breadmaking was agitating the
mind of Hester Williams, as she stood
before the open pantry window one ear
ly September morning. Her plump
white arms were barred to the elbows,
and it was marvellous to behold with
what skill her dainty fingers manipuIa-
ted the yielding, spongy substance in
the dish before her.
1t was noticeable, however that oc-
casionally the soft pat of her hand upon
the dough changed to a vicious little
dab, which betrayed the fact that the
generally serene state of her mind was
decidedly disturbed, while the compress
ed lips and contracted forehead indica-
ted that she was reaching some sort Of
a conclusion of her problem, whatever
it might be.
Just then she heard some one softly
whistling the strains of a popular mel
Ody, and the next instant that same
some one" leaned his arms on the win
dow SILL and said: Good morning,
Miss Hester in tone that was full of
something stronger and deeper than
mere respect-it was almost reveren-
tial
A swift CLEAN of pleasure and as
swift wave of bright color flashed
over Hester'S face; then, as if suddenly
remembering something, she rather
coldly replied: Good morning, Mr..
Raymond"
He watched her silently for mo-
ment, while an expression of pain crept
into his eyes, as he saw her struggle
against the pleading of her heart, and
understood that it was because he was
''only one of the farm hands, and she
was the rich farmers daughter, who
had so lately graduated from college.
Could this be the same girl who had
made him so happy the night before by
sitting out on the porch with him in the
moonlight, and talking with him of her
ambition to add to her other accomp-
Hshments the art of cooking, telling
gleefully that her father had promised
that on the day when she could make
and bake bread as good as mothers"
he would send her abroad to cultivate
her voice, which was the croWnipg am
bitiOn of her life!
Then she had joyfulIy anticipated the
places of note she would visit, the IA
nous people she would be likely to
meet, and many other things, until no.
ticing that he had grown quiet, she had
stopped to ask if he was ill., and he said
simply: Il was thinking how lonely
it would be here when you had gone
abroad
She had remained silent for a moment
and then had replied, softly: 1T will
seem good to know some one will miss
me-" but, as if fearing she had said too
much, she made some hasty excuse for
leaving him, but not until he had touch
ed her hand as she said Goodnight
How could he know that she had gone
to her room and struggled most of the
night with her love for him, and that it
was not until the morning that she had
posed task of breadmaking. that love
was not to be factor in her life, if she
was to become famous in song, espec-
tally love for a poor man, and "a farm
hand at that?
And he had not been able to sleep be-
cause of the tumultuous hope in his
heart that at last he had found a true
woman, to whom a true mans love was
a consideration not to be despised, and
he had planned happily as to the way
he would surprise her by disclosing the
fact that he owned houses and lands"
and had money enough to supply the
most eXtravagant wish of her pretty
head. He thought of all this he
stood at the window watching her, and
could not fail to understand what the
determination of her face implied. In a
moment more he had resolved upon
heroic test.
''I thought would not go away with
out saying good-b by to you, Miss Hester
as I have decided to start for New York
tonight and shall sail from there for
South America as soon as my passage
can be arranged. So I want to express
my hope that all your ambitions for
the future may be fulfilled. shall eX-
pect some fine day to read in the papers
of your overwhelming success and that
the musical world is at your feet"
She cast one quick, appealing glance
at him, and then-yes, it was true-she
was holding out both hands to him,
which he lost not a second in securing
in his own, regardless of the fact that
there were generous patches of flour
upon them, which became almost i'm
mediately transferred to his face as he
kissed the trembling little hands again
and again that now vainly struggled to
be freed.
Indeed, there seemed imminent dan
erg of the young woman's being lifted
bodily through the window by the rap
turous fellow, who declared he would
not release her until she had promised
to take him as her companion when she
went abroad that it should be their
wedding trip. and that it should be soon.