The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-01

Mrs. Alanson Kirkby sat writing
very tast, her brOWs puckered, her teeth
set hard upon her lower lip. Alphon-
sine Carr, her niece. known familiarly
to EdgeWarren as Seena said Ianeuid-
1y from the sofa: Have you FORGOTTEN
what the beauty doctor says, Aunt
Gabriele2 That frowning and biting
the lips are the worst possible things
Tor q woman of your age?"
Mres- Kirkby started like a chidden
child, smOOthed her br0Ws and sat up
right with funny small attempt at
dignity. 'Seena, you viii please not
refer to my age-either in public or
private she said. Then with almost
piteouS eagerness: Unless it is to say
I don't look it. You must say that,
Seena. I'm sure don't. Admit that
I look as young as I feel"
Seena laughed provokingly II dare
say you look younger than you feel
when you have q hard touch of rheu-
luaIism, She said. Then as Mrs.
Kirkby's eyes filed: "But never mind,
aunty; you're prettier than you are old.
Tell me VINO you are writing to-.
That's the fourth sheet, so you must
lbe saying no in all the moods and
lenses to Door Major VIM. Why don't
you eay yes to him, auntie? I think
he's the loveliest old dear"
Mrs. Kirkby smiled a dimpling smile
that took 20 years off her handsome
head. The majori o, he hasn't pro-
posed to me now for a whole fort
night" she said. Maybe he is grow
ing sensible-Tm sure 1 was very firm
with him the last time. of course I
-ouglf to be glad, but do you know
See H. truly I'm not. Your grandpapa
always said [ was a cOquette in my
cradle and he was sure I should be one
to my grave
But the letterl' seena Interrupted
Iuvoluntarily Mrs Kirl<by laid her
hand upon the written sheets, but after
fdgetting with them a minute said in
her hest society manner: DO you re-
call what Miss ErimIy said i'm her lee
ture ON Household Service THAT we
must never lose our dignity i'm dealing
with employees and have regard to their
feelings i'm reprOving them? I re-
member it and am writing tO-that
wretch Bigg.'
You mean you haven't courage to
say anything TO her face Seena said,
when she could speak for laughing.
Dear me, I wish you'd let me do it.
The way we eat or sUarVe at her con-
Venience is something dreadful
"Seena, when You know it is Bigg or
nobody. Mrs. Kirkby said with
shudder 20 me how I wish Edgewar-
rem had never become a suburb. 1T
was the dearest place iii these cOun-
try house people came-a real Eden,
where you had no trouble with ser
wants"
"But YOU had heaDs-with frocks
and teahghts" Seena interrupted. Il
remember how Uncle Kirkbz- raved if
anybody else was finer than You. He
thought his money demanded that YOU
should always wear silk. Confess,
aunty-yOUr morning bombazine was a
relief. 1t was just the same with
Price, the butler whom uncle made
you keep in spite of all his airs
''Seena, for shamel YOu-yOu
know I loved to obey my husband"
Mrs. Kirkby protested. but mildly as
though discharging a duty.
Seena laughed lazily and retoTted:
'"Then you must love to be bullied. I
shall tell the major you want mas
ter, not a slave
Poor dear Major" Mrs. Kirkby
murmured, putting up a hand still
white and dimDled to pat her we'll
crimped locks. HE really is a SPLEEN
did match; but don't you see, quite
too old for me. After ones youth is
past one must avoid shocks. Miss
Primly said so in her talk on POise.
When I recall what I went through in
losing your Uncle Kirkby" pausing
with her handkerchief to her eyes Il
resolve firmly that my next husband, if
/ have one. shall at least be likely to
Outlive me"
At the last word she turned again to
the desk, but Seena saw that she was
blushing deeply. Seena never blush
ed. Instead sparks came to the bot
tom Of her eyes in token of deep feel