The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-19
TRYPHENA.

TRYPHENA-
1t was really very impertinent OF
Edward.
He was only the coal boy and she
was the parlor maid. So IL stood to
reason that he should not have dared
to love her. But how could the thing
have been avoided? To begin with,
mistress, that-to Edward-far-away
lady, said it was perfectly charming,
and so she gave her the full benefit
of it upon every occasion.
The cook called her Triffy, the
housemaid addressed her as Try, and
Edward himseIf-oh, Tryphena was
SO great a lady to this poor little boy
that he never called her anything. ex-
cept when he sometimes whispered
Miss Tryphena all to himself just to
feel what it was like to say her name.
She was so tall and stately and
f1axen-haired. this Tryphena. No Won
der her mistress was proud of her, or
that Edward was her devoted slave.
Poor Edward! He was such a little
boy, and when he had first arrived
from the place he always spoke of in
awe-struck tones as the "ome," Try
phena, with her slender figure, blue
eyes, and not unkindly smile, had
made a sudden and royal inroad right
into his little starved heart.
l=- He loved her with all the ad9ring
satisfaction of extreme youth while
Tryphena herself apparently re-
manned all unconscious of it. OF
course she knew she never had to
happened that Edward had done it
beautifully the day before, and she
never needed to polish up her glass
because -well-because she allowed
Edward to do it for a treat. Neither
had she ever to carry any trays-just
because of Edward. At Tryphena's
heels, whenever there was any work
to be done, was there always-Ed-
ward.
He was very happy in his absurd af-
lection for the girl, but he had his bad
days all the same The mistress had
been known to say to Tryphena that
she would not allow that dirty little
boy to be seen upstairs" after which
Tryphena had been heard to rate him
Soundly for daring to show his ugly lit
tie mug near her pantry. Thereafter.
for two quite heart-breaking days, Ed
ward would not dare to ask permission
to carry even the buffers tray-to the
removal of which he we'll knew Try
phena had a rooted aversion-upstairs
But after two days his affection would
take courage again, and he would be
carrying for ner up as well as down
stairs once more. But, oh, those days
when Tryphena was annoyed were ter
rible.
And SO things had been for some few
months, when Tryphena's mistress gave
luncheon party.
Tryphena looked lovely that day, and
as for her glass and silver, even Ed
ward, who had worked so earnestly at
them, did not see any reason to be
ashamed Of their appearance.
WHAT treasured You lucky wo-
mani! whispered my lady's best friend
at the table Z.
Ny landy smiled compIacentIy, Not
another woman there. she knew. own
ed Tryphena.
Now It happened that Edward,
though he had nothing to do with the
party. had washed his face for the oc-
casfon. 1t cleaned with soap and ex-
element whenever he caught sight of
Iryphena through the crack of the
green batze-covered door. at the top
OF the kitchen stairs. where he had
ensconsed himself to watch the pro-
ceedings in general and his beautiful
love in particular. He sat there for
quite a long time. The party went
away, but Tryphena did not come, and
he had hoped to watch her all the
way down the kitchen staircase. With
sigh at his i'll luck. he heard the
clock strike 4, and he creDt away to
lay the kitchen tea, one of those many
duties which, being none of his, he
always performed.
He set the tea out. Trynhena did
not come. The housemaid began to
drink it, and still no Tryphena. The
COOK poured hers out, and Edward
began to fidget He knew nothing
annoyed Tryphena SO much as getting
what she was pleased to call second
wash
Edward, just you go up and tell
Triffy tea is ready" quoth the cook.
and with joy in his heart Edward
climbed up the long dark staircase
pushed open the green swing door,
and there-just opposite-was Try
phena's pantry.
The door was closed. but a murmur-
ing of voices came from within. Ed
ward hesitated. Miss Tryphena" he
said softly. There was no answer.
Miss Tryphena.'' he repeated No
reply. And at last he knocked family.
A scufling noise came through the
door, then it was flung roughly open,
and Tryphena appeared with an angry
red face.
"Oh, it's you" she said, you're al
ways hanging round where you're not
wanted What is it this timer"
Edward stared at her. He had known
fryphena cross, snappy, but like this
never before.
Wen, can't you answer. you work
mouse brat? What do you want?''
"Oh, miss, the cook says" gasped the