The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-10
ABOUT A MINK.
LFrom The King.1

she had been homesick for the sea and
the seaboard folks, left behind when her
aunt carried her up to London years
before; and friendliness was in her heart
toward them Instead of receiving the
same. she had been met with envy and
jealousy and all Observation-Disclosures Partly
it was her fault, partly theirs. They
only remembered her as the imp and
scapegoat of the village, who played on
the rocks all day long with bare feet,
and they resented her grown up fashion
ability. She could not help realizing that
she was better dressed, knew more of
the world and was in many ways hun
dred years ahead of Lindenthorpe. Then,
again, Mr.. SilaS AttenborOugh, who al
ways did the right thing, and whose ac-
tons, accordingly, We're viewed with an
lndulgent eye, had seemed in danger OF
doing the wrong thing. "Moonstruck'
Miss GT1ggS declared him to be. And
the Mink was not even fatteTed.
1t was on Sunday that the shock of
shocks occurred To begin with, several
minutes. after service had begun Miss
Betty Mayne walked in-almOSt StrOlled
mas cool as a cucumber, and clad in
the most OutrageOusly fine dress, and
stood in the entrance Gnstead Of mod
estly finding herself a seat) pol1ing away
at the stones with a green paraSOl, until
Mr.. Attenborough, who was church war
den-the youngest church warden Lin
denthorpe had ever had-rose in his sun
DAY best TO snow neT TO a place.
People were more disguised than sur
prised when Miss Mayne, after tanning
herself oStentatiously for some time, rose
and Stall<ed out of church by the front
door. Such behavior was to be expected
from a Mink. 1t was what followed
that left Lindenthorpe resigned to any
thing short of an earthquake. Miss
Mayne wandered down toward the beach
in a pensive mood and took a seat ON a
bit of sandstone. She was pretty sight
in blue and gold, whatever Miss GI1ggS
opinion might be. A church warden is
at liberty to differ from a Sunday school
mistress on a question like this, and Mr.
Silas Attenborough. as he walked from
church down to the sea, and saw the
Mink on her rock, differed in toto from
Miss Griggs- He felt a desire to rebul1e
the Mink for her conduct in church that
morning, but was it wise to venture to
the rocks? He was in his Sunday clothes
and not very sure of foot among slip
perry weeds Nevertheless, his sense of
duty being strong, Mr.. Attenborough
crossed the rubicon and at length
reached the sandstone rock. The Mink
nodded to him. Il saw you in church
this morning" she said.
Il zee you," said Mr.. Attenborough,
gravely.
1.-The very first thing I noticed was
chalk mark on your coat from leaning
against the pillars: and do believe
you've got it on STILL
This was hardly the conversation Mr..
Atttenborough had pictured to himself,
and he rubbed the chalk away before
replying.
1T seemed you left the church avore
the sermon 90
'sDreadfuliy ventilated, isn't it?" she
said, nodding. Il really wonder people
don't get suffocated sometimes
1T were a powerful sermon"
'tShort ones always are, think Or
did you come after me before it was
COON after-?" Mr. Attenborough
was taken aback. He had hurried, GER
tainly; but he hardly expected the Mink
to notice that.
Coon after avore t. sermon was fin
ished?'' He recovered himself indignant
ly. sI shouldn't think oft. But"
You didn't expect to see me here?"
Since the Mink sat ON rock In fuil
view of the shore, Mr.. Attenborough
evaded what seemed a fruitless ques-
ton.
ITS agreeable by t. sea here avore
dinner he remarked
THE same as ever she said-''all
I.indenthorpe's the same as ever-the
sea and the village and the folks They
might have slept and never walked since
she reused herself to sudden animation
but I'd like to shock them!"
Shock emp said Mr.. Attenborough,
aghast-
pie who can be shocked. And if I knew
for certain that detested Lindenthorpe
I'd be content to leave it and never see
it again." She sank back against the
''Would you now?" said Mr.. Attenbor-
ough, astonished.
She hooded. IT'S quite true" she
said.
4 doan't think I'm easy t. SHOCK" he
said, guardedly.
your" She shook with laughter.
''You2 Why, you were shocked IN
church this morning. You'd be shocked
7 TO
your shocked now at hearing me Sug-
gest such a thing"
IT church is different remarked he,
hastily edging from the pool But out
of t. church I'm not easy t. shock.
you think sop
Solemn trewth?" said Mr.. Attenbor-
ough decidedly.
Perhaps you're right" she said
shore; sis that Miss Griggs over there?'
He followed the direction of her finger
and saw that most of the congregation
were assembled in groups about the
Ills indeed" he groaned; IAN Miss
Griffin and t whole Sunday school
watching US. I think that we shud be
getting back?"
Don't let me keep yul.' she said.
Its not keeping me. IT'S only
He looked about him for an excuse |
Zip me! T. sea-
What do you nean?"
''T' seal said Mr.. Attenborough- TITS
She sprang to her feet in great 1ndig-
nation.
This comes of your talking. Why
couldn't you keep your eyes open-What
is to be done ?"
could yew wade?" suggested Mr.. At
tenborough apologetically. He knew
nothing Of the rocks and what depths
cut him off from shore. Only he remen-
bered that in old days the imp of the
village knew every inch
WADE? In my best things? Her
scornfui tone made him feel more at
fault than ever.
s'P'raps they'll send US a boat, ne
said.
..P 3assI couid~taize yew over t tn