The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
TIE EVENING ST0R
when Annie Played GoosebeEry.


Blackberries hedged the road on
either side as it wound higher ana
higher towards the Berkshires; here
and there some beIated Strawberries,
tiny soecks of crimson III the grass.
joined their fragrance to the invigor-
atfng breath of the pines. From an IN
painted barn came the persistent click
clack, thud-thud of a loom, where Miss
Lettice was weaving yards Of carpet
from little balls of colOred rag A
voice sharp enough to the verge OF
displeasure startled her.
will you finish tomorrow, sister,
lit don't hardly seem possible
Twas promised, pears 10 me
you re uncommon slow. Surely you're
not such a fool as to be thinking o
William Henderson and such nonsense
at your age"
Miss Lettice's hand involuntarily
sought the fastening Of her bodice. but
the faint craclnle of the secreted paper
was too imperceptible to reach Mrs.
Aliens ears.
The letter was delayed. He's going
'Lettice Howard, he's no man for
you. We settled that years ago I'm
ashamed for you-that you so much
as think on him now"
Hes free again Miss Lettice
spoke depreciatingly
Free is it? If he wasn't good
enough for you when he was young
a widower with three children certain
~ amt no gain" With a toss OF the
head, Mrs Allen recrossed the road to
her cottage.
Miss Lettics sat niserably uncer-
tain. her hands idle in her lap; she
forgot the loom and Mrs. Harris who
was counting on the finished carpet.
Her thoughts were with the curly
headed lad from whom her sister had
separated her, because he failed to
settle in the town where he was born;
but like a rolling stone, was forever
wandering, apparently gathering little
OF this worlds goods. Now he had re-
turned and wanted to see her. It
seemed. cruel prank Of fate to have
Joined forces with her sister and in
the form of delayed mail prevented
| their meeting. tear gathered be-
meath her lashes. but before It fell
pair of warm arms wound themselves
around her neck
Aunt Lettice. you're in Iove-in
love Don't ask me how I know. be-
cause you are. You don't listen to
what folks are saying, and as to the
tice seized the shuttle and sent it fly
| ing through the shed of warp-threads;
her feet mechanically worked the
tTeadle shifting the heddles, then with
the batten she beat the wool of rag
into place again and again.
we can't talk through that noise,
she remarked plaintively
My dear, there is nothing
There is, you darling. come 'fess up.
m not to be put Gifts fellow sym
pathy." The crimson deepened in the
! laughing face and with soft wheeling
/ she gained the desired confidence and
/ Miss Iettice surrendered her letter.
1t was in no sense a love letter, yet
! It was the nearest approach that the
| spinster had ever received; possibly she
read between the lines:
Dear Lettice-I am visiting my
+ brother Joe till Wednesday. I want so
much to see you. If I'd be welcome
send me word. Yours, as ever.
II only got it last night
Its too late to write now her
niece hurried on but you must go TO
/ Chatham to see him, make believe
you're shopping. Jennie's going to-
morrow. III have Rob ask her to stop
for you"
Sister would never listen-besides
it's not the carriers day"
Shes making a special trip for Rob-
/ mother. Just to think the girl rose
exeitedly. it must be ten years
And you've cared all this time-oh.
Aunt Lettuce, how could you bear til
/ Mothers good as she can be- only
she's had so much trouble it's made
/ her little hard. Do as say and III
play gooseberry for you. After break
i fast come over here, as usual. About
/ ten, walk down the road till the car
/ lier oVertakes you, then to Chatham
4 with her and to Joe Headerson's. ask
for William and you'n have hours to-
/ gether Jennie will pick you up on her
homeward trip. You'll be back to sup
/ per Mother need never know unless
/ you choose to tell her"
But the carpet-if she doesn't hear
the loom she'll come over to ind out
what's wrong"
Leave that to me, I've got to think:
but I'll fix it somehow
During supper Mrs. Allen glanced
/ anxiously at her sisters flushed cheeks
and untouched plate With the morrow
/ William would be gone, then Lettice
would return to her normal self.
Later when Annie wandered down the
road with Bob, the moonlight showed
/ their heads very close together. while
4 now and again the girl broke into a
/ ripple of mischievOus laughter Watch
/ ing, the mother felt a pang of jealousy
/ Rob was a good match, yet she dreaded
the day she must yield her daughter
/ to another, and tonight the time seemed
very near. She went several times to
her room for forgotten trifies and each
time there showed line Of light be
meath her sisters door,
Seems to me you're a long time get
! ting to bed" she admonished.
Tim most ready came the re-
| ply. II Miss Lettice's voice SOUNDED.
/ less even than usual, Mrs Allen was
not herself sufficiently calm to notice.
As was customary in the morning.
| Miss Lettuce betook herself to the barn
and the working OF the loom broke
familarly on the quiet air. Shortly after
ten, Mrs. Allen attracted by the rumble
of wheels on the road, saw that the car
rfer was making an extra trip. She
spoke Of it to Annie. who came IN hot
and tired to MONDAY dinner.
Call your aunt" she continued. "the
pork will be cold; I got It specially to
/ tempt her. she's eaten nothing these
two days.
.Rob's mother invited her" began
Annie nervousIy-
What for Mrs. Allen turned sharp
+ ", dish in hand
She has some rags for carpet weav-
ing-Rob told me about it,
Mrs. Allen shifted disgruntIed Your
aunt had no call to go traueFina mr.