The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-26
arms till she laughed and pleaded for

arms till she laughed and pleaded for
mercy.
My acquaintance with "Glitters''
progressed. I learned that she was one
| of four sisters, all three married save
! herself. When expressed surprise
that she belonged to the army of
| bachelor maids a toss of her head re-
warded me-.
wish I may die furst," said "Gnt-
tiers. What's the blessed, good of
getting married? A lot of kids and
more kicks than ha' pence"
Her, summing up, if crude, was
fairly true. The position of the east
end wife and mother has its draw
| backs, and when she went on to tell
me in strong and forcible language
that one of her brothers-in-law was
doing time for knocking his wife about
and badly damaging her eye, and that
another was rarely sober more than
twice a week, 1 mentally agreed that
celibacy had its advantages. Yet there
was such womanliness in the girls
smile, and such generous hint in the
swelling bust, that one felt sorry for
sweetness wasted.
Time passed, and with great diplo-
macy managed to persuade Gilt
ters" to come to a big parish tea that
was to signal my arrival at my new
rectory. 1t was a far cry from Drury
Lane to Steppey, but "Glitters" came,
and. strange to say, escorted by red
faced and hugely embarrassed young
coster. She had previously asked me
if she might bring a pal, but somehow
or Other I had expected to see another
lady of plush and feathers.
When I made my next floral pur-
chase, laughingly rallied her on the
subject. To my surprise, she flushed
crimson
"Git out" was her first smartly de-
livered retort; I'm no such bloomin'
fool as to marry. If ever you ketch
me messin' abaht wi that cove
a silence alnn1Ianf
''Have you refused the poor fellow?
Oh, Glitters! Glittersl and after rails
ing his hopes by letting him escort
YOU! A nice looking chap, too, broad
and of good incheS.'
''Yus, he do look nobby," agreed
"Glitters,'' with a slight sigh; then her
voice hardened. "P'raDs I mayn't
never see him no more-an' I wish I
could sling my 'ook I debut I won't
never marry"
Her full lips closed sullenly, and I
remembered the tragedy of drunken
father and sadly abused mother that
must have darkened the girls youth.
Speech on the subject was useless, so
I forebore.
1t must have been some time in
October when I ran across "Glitters
coster again. Yes, I know it was
October, because my own wedding was
fixed for the middle of December. and
Cynthia had only just settled the date
Poor coster boy, he had been hardly
treated, lot since our ldSI meeting dlc,
in the guise of a runaway van, had
dashed him to the ground, and Grip
pied him for life. He was hobbling
along on crutches, and told me he had
only been out of the hospital a week.
1 forbore to speak to him of "GlitteTs;%
that subject might be raw yet. When
asked what he was going to do for
living, he spoke bravely on the subject
of the sale of papers. looking curiously
bright and contented. 1 marveled at
his courage, and after asking him to
come and look me up, turned on my
heel. and left him, wondering at the
patience OF the poor and the strange,
pathetic resignation to trouble.
A fortnight later 1 was buying a great
bunch of vivid autumn foliage-one
read the date of the year in "GlitterS'
conscious of a change in the girls face.
1t had grown far softer, all its frank
holiness gone. Also there was some
thing delightful in her smile, a depth, a
warmth lacking before. Her very voice
had changed; it was not half so self
assertive, yet had more strength in it.
I looked at "Glitters." Her eyes fell
before mine and great wave dyed her
face. even to the white throat barely
hid by her kerchief. Then she smiled.
a slow, conscious smile, and laughed a
little nervouSly.
lave some vilets, sir; jist a penny
bunch for the Idly"
"GIitters.' I remarked sternly. ct am
not to be put off in that crafty fashion.
What nave you been doing with your
self to look so happy?"
Lord love you, sir-'ow you do go on
Did you want the Vilets?''
All, the mystery was out, for. holding
up a bunch of sweet purple violets. most
among green leaves, "Glitters'' betray-
ed her secret.
why are you wearing a wedding
ring, madam I asked, smiling
Dyer think was a-going to see i'm
down on his luck and not comfort i'm ?
Lay your life not. Why! love i'm all
the time. but nfver so much as ncN.
Thank yer. sir" for I had grasped her
hands, and stood holding them tightly;
thank yer kind"
And, Glitters. my dear. splendid girl.
you are happy" I cried; really and
truly happy"
"'Appy?' her whole face lighted up.
"S'elp me, Gawd, I'm 'appy-there, now,
you've got it straight
took off my hat to this daughter of
the people, as to q queen in her own
right and walked away, glad that had
I reached home I found a letter from
Cynthia awaiting me. knew the large |
the blue crest and the
faint perfume that always chung to her |
notes. and 1 seized on it eagerly, for |
had found her out when I called.
A quite short letter, merely breaking |
off the enga cement on the score of the |
thia's distaste for gray poverty and |
soup kitchens. was stunned for a sec |
ond. then I remembered how often
had met Lord Ancaster with Cynthia |
I saw clearly at last
tore up the letter into tiny frag-
ments, and rather envied certain Grip |
pied coster.-Claude Askew, in London |