The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-29
HIS WIFE'S COUSIN.

shortly after he settled himself in his
seat In the train at Charlotte, bound for
Washington.
She had the chair Immediately in front
of that of the Washington man, and
after he had studied the back of her
head for awhile he reached the conclus-
ion that her back hair was of an I'M
commonly fine chestnut tint.
Presently she tried to raise the win
dow at her side, the car being warm
The window stuck. of course, and equal
~, of course, the Washington man was
glad that II stuck. 1t permitted him to
execute his little Pray allow me" stunt.
Then he observed that her teeth were
exceptionally fine when she smiled that
her eyes were of a haunting brown
(and not without a twinkle in them),
and that her complexion was a we'll
nigh perfect olive. For the rest, he con-
cluded that she was from 26 to 49, say
quite alone.
That does not make a draught on
you, does it?" he asked her. solicitously,
after opening the window for her.
BY no MEANS" she replied, amiably,
partly wheeling her chair in his direc-
ton. Unless it makes too much breeze
for you?" she added, inquiringiy. Ny
self" she went on, I am almost
fresh air crank"
Better to err in that respect than the
other way" he said, with grisly at
tempt at a pun-and so they got to con-
versing. He told her that he was glau
to find one woman who was tond OF
plenty of fresh air-most women. IN MS
opinion were too Partial to STIFFNESS.
- And So before the train was much
\ more than ten miles away from Char
f.otte she had her chair wheeled all the
Wav around and they were on very
agreeable and chatty terms. When nrst
call for dinner was passed he polltely
asked her would she honor him by TAX
ing dinner in his company, and, with
graciousness equaHng his grandlio-
auence, she consented to do so.
IT guess maybe I'm an old chestnut
and wallfowsr and a shelved PROPOSE
ton. in general. if am forty" he said
to himself. with a sort of mental preen-
ing as he led the way to the dining
car Then he added, with a SOFT of
gulp, "Forty-and married"
1t was a very pleasant dinner with
the train bounding past the restfui,
sleepy looking little southern towns and
the sunsweDt woods and fields. He
suggested that perhaps she would like
-er-just a little pint of the sparkling
-er-that is to say. if she felt that
-er-
ooh. no." she interrupted with her
winning smile that showed her perfect
teeth Il never take anything. you
know. except at home. and very rarely
then
The Washington man said to himself
that ne rather admired a woman who
didn't drink
chance to imbibe champagne are
rather a bore. think" is the way he
framed the thought to himself
A portly man and his portlier wife
and four fat children entered the dining
car
I adore children" she said to the
Washington man. DO you?'
Crazy over EN-" he replied.
you are married." she asked him,
Errffh Hn1fCfN1fC hl~ONyQ
'Now-now. be nice. be nicer he re-
piled, shaking an arch and warrington
forefinger at her-and the subject was
changed. Oh, it takes the man of forty
and married-to put up the genuine
article in the way of archnessI
When it came to paying for the dim
.er, she politely but firmly insisted
, upon paying for her own, whercupon
the man from Washington tried to look
abused.
The remainder of the ride was just as
delightful as the beginning had been
for the Washington man.
1t was just the beginning of twilight
when the train pulled into the station
in Washington He bundled her traps
together for her and carried them to
the cab outside the ladies' waiting
room.
"Well?" he said to her, admiring the
way her brown travelling veil blew
around her winsome face.
well, George, you know where you
laughing outright.
GEORGE he exclaimed. stunned and
hoarse.
George" she repeated. with a rip
pling. confirmatory laugh. "Cousin-in-
law George. Please don't look so alb
surdly surprised. or I shall become
hysterical," and she went into another
peal of musical laughter. You know,
I have at least a dozen photographs of
you and Gertrude"
He had to swallow quite a number
of times before he was able to murmur,
in a weak, faced sort of tone:
Then you are my wife's Chattanooga
cousin Helen-and 1 didn't know it,
Miss Sly-boots-and you knew 1 was
Gertrude's husband all the tine-and
you are on a visit to us-how de do,
how de dor
He. looked very foolish, indeed, did this
Washington man.
On the way to his home in the hanson
he cleared his throat a number of times
and then he said to her:
Er-by the way, Cousin Helen if I were
you l wouldn't say anything to Gertrude
abOut-er-yOu lxnOW-rnv not recOenizing-
you know-I wish we had as many photo
graphs OF you as you have of u.s. and I'd
never have-but-er-there' no need OF
Gertrude being told of how-y' understand
don't your And he grinned foolishly
again.
why. certainly. I understand. Cousin
George she treasured him, but she went
into another peal of laughter that was
nightly unconvincing.
This happened several days ago The
" ashtngton man is wondering over
D@ae half-amused. half-reproachful glances
which he sometimes finds his wife bestow-