The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-13
TIE EVENING STORY

lBy Ihomas Nesbit.


lately. II guess that we shall have to
put it of again.
But we can't objected her hus-
band. I'VE have put them of twice.
+ I don't land him pretty soon I can
whistle for the funds"
BUT they know the servant oues-
tion," she pleaded, .snnd 1 simply can't
nave them in the house with only one
servant to look after things
They have boarded ever since they
Yer, sere married . he said, gently. ssThey
.Aaee an apartment in the St. James
the year round. They win simply
tnank that It Is an excuse and T'il lose
ne cnance Of pulling or the biggest
oeal Of my career"
~ &c can help, Della broke in Beth.
can get up a splendid dinner
buL Iney've seen. you in town. la
IHented Mrs. MARITIME. 81 could never
eIuse Maggie IN the dining room with
company around.
~ Ell, its some comfort that we can
4se4s good dinner, anyway declared
S ,k MARITIME, kissing his sister 81
t t1.-ow 6etn can get US up dinner
nc |. viii pc credit to the house,
out she can't get e butler" walled
LIS WlLe- What's the use of a good
oil .s7C II It isn't served right?''
,-,,,- lena, you re chronic grumbler.'
Let GCk SLOD IN some
Mnere in town and get a man sent
Out. He knows a lot OF good places
a an one OF them viii spare him a
Mrs, MARITIME frightened up. "Per-
maps that will do" she assented. 1--WE
VIII hope for the best anyway
MARITIME kissed his wife and dashed
lor Inc train. It was the last OF a
series Of happenings that had operated
70 3old or the dinner to the Prescotts.
Il JACK could get Mr.. Prescott inter
SsAed IN the Notation of his company it
meant great things If the dinner were
oeiayed again there was danger that
the whole thing might fall through.
Inc only way to approach Prescott
was through dinner and home din
Iler at mat: The Preseotts had lived
IN hoteIs all their lives because thew
We're so seldom long in one place
1hef permanent quarters in the fash
lonaDle MOTEL they regarded as home
out tney were more often in London
or Paris. or else up the Nile or some
otner queer place, ana it was a saying
IhaC one argument after home din
ner was worth a hundred in an office
Wnere sydney Prescott was concerned
II seemed simple matter to Jack
70 borrow a waiter from the restau-
rant where he lunched to take the
place Of the butler who had left the
day before. but the head waiter shook
MS head There were three big ban
DUETS that night. Every waiter in town
mad been engaged weeks before.
Yet for all Of that a quiet faced
Engilshnan presented himself at the
Marines that afternoon and went to
work with quiet skin that made Mrs.
MARITIME almost want to hug him.
To Beth he seemed like a godsend
All day long she had been struggling
with the preparations for the dinner
with such awkward help as a green
servant could give. When Peters
came into the kitchen and quietly took
possession, 1t seemed as If the sun had
suddenly burst from behind the
The servant was set to work to. clean
the silver and he took charge Of every
thing, directing Beth with a quiet re-
spectfulness that inspired confidence.
Long before the guests arrived
things were all ready and Peters had
retired to his room to get ready for
the evening. Beth sat out on the back
stoop to cool her heated face and
breathe sigh of relief that things
seemed to promise so well.
Della ran out for a moment just be-
fore train time to show herself and
be admired and lightly kissed the red
lips.
Isn't Peters a gem7" she exulted.
Il never saw man take hold so.
If it had been his own dinner he
could not have been more interested"
Hes a dear" laughed Beth II
think we viii have to get him to stay
somehow, even though he said he was
only here for the day. I almost think
I'd marry. him to keep him in the
family"
There was discreet cough and the
two women started apart. Peters had
come downstairs again and was stand
ing by the dresser. With a last kiss
Della ran off to welcome her guests
and presently Jack came into the
kitched to see that ali was well.
Don't let things fall down." was
his parting injunction to Beth. IF
this deal goes through YOU shall have
that trip to Europe-unless some one
else takes you there first
YOU'D better get ready to write d
check If you are thinking Of Harvey, -
she said, spiritedly. II wrote him yes
I terday that never wanted to see him
again"
Hes an awfully good chap" urged
Jack, who seemed to find food for
much laughter IN her speech. '.I'll bet
you change your mind before long"
ssNeyeri" she called after him as he
turned back to his guests, and 1t was
with a high head that she entered the
kitchen. Even now she was not alto
gether sure that she was glad that she
had sent that letter, but Harvey was
SO irritating. But this was no time to
worry about Harvey, and she turned to
her work.
Things look splendidly. Peters, she
smiled as she entered the dining room
and saw how perfectly the table was
appointed. "I think we shall have to
! get you to stay on with U.S.
II think It could be done. ma'am. -
was the respectful reply. but my price
is pretty high. ma'am."
I'VE paid Hawkins sixty" she said.
Have you been getting more than
that?"
..No. ma'am; but should want more
here
POSSIBLY my brother might make it
seventy-five." she suggested. IF you
think that will do I win speak to him
before you 60"