The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-22
LENNY'S MISTAKE.


a sunny afternoon in. Nav. with green
leaves blowing hither and thither. and
the Irolcsome little winds elm hing mn
The trail ladders Of the vines over me
doorway, making them all a-trembIe.
There was sweet chorus of robins in
the maple tree, and blithe bits Of mel
oay falling from the children's lips over
tAe way. There was sunshine on the
Eraveled garden walk. and its yellow
spiendors had stolen in through the
Nlle-open door, and We're caressing the
backs Of the two gray kittens rolled IN
feet. --0 w a. u >
BUT Lenny was in one Of her unhap-
- moods that afternoon. and cared
nothing at all for the blessing of the
sunshine or tor the chorus of sweet
spring sounds stealing i'm from the leafy
outdoor world. There was a cloud on
her young face that the sunlight could
not Danish.
Dear me, ] do wish Belle would
come back. She has been gone long
enough to do forty errands. 1 am sure:
and she knows / am alone. and tied to
this hateful chair"
Two days before. at a grand picnic on
the mountainside. Lenny Howard had
fallen and twisted her foot. so that she
would not be able. the doctor said, to
step on ID for week; and as she was
restless little mortal. who never kept
Eull ten minutes at time unless she
was asleep, the enforced quiet was "a
terrible punishment. all the more unen-
durable because Belle Fairfax, who
had promised to stay with her all that
dreadful week. had gone out for half
an hour, and had already been gone two
hours.
ITS too badl" she exclaimed again.
when another ten minutes passed with
out bringing Belle. Get out of my
way she exclaimed. pushing the two
gray kittens OF the cushion; II m tired
OF seeing you SO still"
The kittens went rolling and rolIick-
ing after each other across the floor in
q sudden spasm Of merrimenr. and at
the same moment Belle stood in the
doorway, laughing at their pranks.
Even Lenny. vexed as she was. could
not help thinking what pretty picture
Belle made. framed by the old doorway.
Such a. bright, laughing face it was
nut brown hair above, nut brown eyes
below, both just touched with a glmmer
OF gold, cheeks the color of a pink rose.
and lips still redder and sWeeter; ana
under all dainty chin with a dimple
In IT, But. then. Belle had been cruel.
and Lenny didn't mean to flatter her.
~ ou'va been away two hours" she
beRau. with dOleful face.
know it, said Belle. tossing her
hat on a sofa. and sitting down ia a low
chair by the window; but then you
know j haven't been out for two days,
ana it has been such a perfect after
noon Besides
besides what?" asked Lenny at
length. for Belle had picked UP the kit
tens and was playing with them. APP
parently forgetful of the fact that she
had left her sentence unfinished.
"A rose flush crept TO her face at Len
ny's question, and she hesitated a. mo-
ment for an answer.
But the proud little head was lifted
e. last, and the bright eyes fixed brave
ly 0n Lenny's face.
met Frank just as L was coming
something TO say to each other-we
walked back a little distance. [ am
afraid Lenny. we really forgot you Bur
you'll forgive me, and I won't leave you
But Lenny looked at Bellies bright
face, and hardened her heart against
her friend.
Had she not acknowledged that they
had forgotten her2 and had not Frank
Maxwell been her devoted lover for six
moutEs2 only that day at the picnic
he had begged her to say when she
would be his wife, and now he had quite
forgotten her in a stroll with Belief It
was certainly more than any woman
could be expected to bear with good
nature. SO She turned her back on Belle,
and refused to say a word.
Lenny," said Belle. with a little ire
NOR ia her voice won't YOU look at
me, dear, for ] have something to tell
you, and I really want it off my mind
Frank thought I ought to tell"
Don't dare TO tell me Belle Fairfax r.
cried Lenuy, passionately. DO you
suppose I don't know all about it? she
continued, facing Belle with crimson
cheeks
How did you-when did you fnd US
outg"
Belle asked the question bravely
enough, but she was really shaking
with apprehension of a scene
Never mind that Tt is enough for
SOU 10 know that ] think you are the
most deceitful creature in the world
and Frank Maxwell is"
~ hat Lenny2"
And Frank came in. just In the midst
Of the angry sentence. and looked in
establishment at Lenny's flashing eyes.
and Bellies troubled face
II told you how it would be. Frank -
GOOD LOGIC.