The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-21

W lOr car. Wetheren found
seat in a day coach and ar
ranged his belongings with
the care that marks a certain type of
bachelor. He was no sooner seated
than a stout woman with two little
girls established herself behind him.
One of the children Immediately began
to stroke the Russian sable lining OF
Wetherell's overcoat, which was lying
across the back of the seat, and the
other child cried because she couldn I
reach it from her position next the
aisle
The gentleman from New York sadly
arose and went forward into the next
coach, which seemed to be full of ba-
bies Eventually he found lodgment in
the smoking car, where stale pipe
smoke killed the flavor of his cigar
Why had he committed the incredible
folly of this journey? From sense OF
duty doubtless. It was time that ne ala
something substantial for his aunts, his
nearest living relatives, two widows
with a houseful of other peoples cnll-
dren, as he knew from their letters
They had promised him "a real home
Christmas and he shuddered at the
thought. He had been homeless man
for many years and hoped to live and
die in that blessed condition Out OF a
long soul destroying, nerve wrecking
struggle he had emerged a rich man.
He had taken new and more luxurious
rooms at the club; he was prepared to
enjoy life in Them or if not he could at
least be miserable with no one to worry
him.
His mind flashed to a suggestion in
his Aunt Martha's letter of invitation.
I'VE have asked Amy Hunt Perhaps
you remember her as a child She is
teaching a kindergarten in Portland
now 1 know you will like her, And
on the next page: You have lived too
much alone. You ought to find a nice,
pretty, sensible girl and make a home
for her now that you have the means"
Dear Aunt Marthal She had given
him a home in the summer after his
college days were over and before he
began, penniless, his struggle with the
world. Fifteen years ago, and he had
not seen her since. He remembered
that once when his income had risen to
about ten thousand a year and he had
felt poorer than ever before in his life
she had CLEANED some hint of his finan-
cial troubles and had sent him s. in
letter. He had returned the money ten
fold Immediately and it, was by no
means his only remittance, but he had
never really paid the debt.
The train dawdled along and reached
Lynde, which is the nearest station to
Brantford. about noon There remained
a ride of eleven miles in whatever We
hicle his aunts had provided
1t would have pleased him to feel a
trace of emotion, for he could not help
perceiving that the situation involved
certain possibilities. He was near the
only home in the world he could be sure
was open to him for love alone. The
old boyish pledge that he would come
back when he got rich was about to be
made good. These matters might at
least interest him, but they did not. 1t
wearied him to consider them. He was
conscious of an active dread of the cold
and dreary ride that he must take and
he felt annoyed most unreasonably be-
cause the stout woman and her children
who had distressed him on the train
were alighting at this particular sta
ton. But his soul was empty of senti-
ment.
He lodged the trio and hastened
through the little buildings, expecting
to find his auntS carriage upon the
other side, but there was nothing that
looked like private conveyance. Just
opposite the door a girl whom he had
seen on the train was putting a hand
bag into a queer vehicle on runners,
called a ''pung'' in those parts. It had
a broad seat. rudely hooded, in front
some packages and a small trunk.
''Yes'm.'' the driver of the vehicle
was saying, this is the stage. I
wouldn't be surprised if you was Miss
Hunt. Mrs. Martha Webster asked me
to look out for you an a young Teller
she was expectin'. You amt seen moth
in of him, have your"
Il saw man get off the train" she
replied. but he was as gray as a
q mi
At this moment she turned, prepara-
tory to sitting down, and caught sight
of Wetherell SO close that he must
have heard what she had said. She
blushed so very red that Wetherell was
aware of a vague interest in the phe-
nomenon. 1t was a long while since he
had seen the like of it.
DO you know" said he to the driver.
where can hire a conveyance to take
me to Brantford ?'
The man stared.
Il amt much acquainted around
here" ne stammered; but, say, why.
I'm goin' right over there. This is the
ride with me- guess you're Mr.. Weth-
erell. amt you? 1 was told to bring
you over"
Wethereu perceived that he could not
press his inquiry without a suggestion
of discourtesy to Miss Hunt. She would
think he ought to welcome the chance
TO ride with her, especially as she prob
ably knew the amiable designs of his
aunts. There really was no way out
of it. So after involving the whole |
state of Maine in one silent ana athena
he stepped aboard the pung The ride
promised to be worse than he had pic |
tured it. Miss Hunt was certainly the I
sort OF girl that is called .'vivacfous.
He would be obliged to introduce him |
SELF and she would insist upon talking /
to him all the way to Brantford. She (
would tell him all about kindergarfen- I
ing, and Wetheren shuddered at the
thought so violently that the nigh
horse caught the infection and shook
its rafting harness.