The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-15
THE EVENING STORY
Fabinn,s Cure
(By Lulu Johnson.)

(By Lulu Johnson.)
Fabian impatiently paced the
| piazza. 1t was S:10 and the breakfast
bell had not sounded. But not be-
cause he was hungry did Fabian an
athematize the cook
He had wakened with little appetite,
but ever since he had begun to order
his life he had had breakfast at 8. 1t
this boarding place that they had
breakfast at his accustomed hour in
stead OF 1880, as seemed to be the Gus
tom in most of the boarding houses in
Carrsville.
Because Fabian always took the
nrst two weeks of August as his vaca-
ton he followed this custom. too,
though the break in the even routine
OF the Office annoyed him. But habit
was Fahian's fetish. Habit decreed a
two weeks vacation in August, and so
ne continued to seek resort where
the orderly routine of his life would
be the least interrupted.
This year he had rather fancied
Glen farm, but they had breakfast al
7:15. Fabian had inquired irFitably
favor of Brook farm, where meals
were served at about the hours to
which he was accustomed in town,
though it annoyed him to have to eat
his dinner in the middle Of the day
and a cold supper at night.
enteenth year Fabian had been alone
in the world, and he had fallen into
rut of system. His orderly habit OF
mind made him valuable man in the
office, but his unwilnngness to depart
from custom drew few friends, and at
twenty-six he was still heart whole
The delayed breakfast was far
greater annoyance than more seri-
Gus Disappointment might have been,
and he gnawed at his mustache as he
nv nd
caught the first jangle as the bell was
lifted from the shelf and turned to en-
ter the house, but just then there was
scream from the road, and he turned
to see a girl endeavoring to beat off
the farm dog, whose muddy paws had
already left their imprint upon her
dainty skirts.
Something in her pose caught Fab
ian's fancy and he went racing down
across the grass plot to her rescue,
whistling to the dog as he went. But
Carlo was determined to make friends
with the girl and paid no attention to
the calls. until Fabian's hand rested
heavily upon his collar and the toe of
Fabian's boot emphasized lightly the
indiscretion of aeeosting strange
young women on the public highway
Hes a dear old thing" smiled the
girl as Carlo picked out the shortest
route to the backyard, his tail tucked
ing1oriously between his legs. ST sup
pose it is more my fault than his. 1
walk down to the postoff1ce every
morning and he always banks his
good morning but today he seemed
to want to shake hands and he did not
realize how dirty his paws were. You
won't punish him, please?"
Hes not mine to punish" said
Fabian, absently. He was thinking
not of Carlo, but the girl. No woman
had ever made strong appeal to him
before. but he felt dazed in the pres
ence of this radiant girl with the gem
tie eyes and the smile that made the
whole landscape seem brighter. He
was on his knees in the road now try
ing to remove the worst of the muddy
paw prints with his handkerchief. 1T
was a clumsy effort for he only made
smudges worse, and with a laughing
word of thanks the girl stopped him.
at will be all right when 1t dries,'
she said with her wonderful smile.
"You are very kind, but it really does
not matter. By the time l get back
from the village 1t will be all right. It's
just little wash skirt, anyway, and a
trip to the laundry will remove all
traces of the dogs impetuosfty."
After breakfast it was his custom
to read the morning paper, but he sat
with 1t in his hand this morning, and
did not even scan the headlines. He
was watching the road for the CLINT of
a white dress, and when it came in
sight, far down the road. he strolled to
Of caFelessness, and was leaning
against the fence as the girl came up.
The dried mud had been shaken from
her dress, and with a smile she called
his attention to the fact. you see it's
all right she declared.
But 1 think you need a guard" he
declared with sudden bravery that
startled him. with your permission,
I will form your escort to ward off
dogs, dragons and other insects"
He fell into step beside her before
she could refuse, and they walked
briskly on. Fabian wondered If it was
possible that she had been going past
the farm every morning while he was
at breakfast, and without his know
ledge. 1t seemed now as though he
could feel her presence through stone
walls. Never having been in love be-
fore. he was swinging the length of
cupid's pendulum, and he exerted
himself to be entertaining. So well
did he succeed that when he reached
the gate of Glen farm, all too soon,
Miss Semple agreed to go for a walk
In the afternoon.
Fabian went into the house with her
that Kerr. whom he had met the year
before, might complete the introduce
ton more formally, and even smiled |
when Kerr introduced him as 1.-The |
Human Time Table, with a laughing
dissertation upon the exactness of his
IA bits.
The rest of Fabian's morning sehed- |
lie was completely upset, though he
to Brook farm and there was |
nothing to interrupt the even tenor of |
his routine save his thoughts. He |
could only pace the piazza and think |
hat Marcia Semple was to walk with |
him that afternoon. The hours drag
yed interminably. but at last he could, |
With decency, present himself and to-
yether they started for the Falls,
"How much time have WEI" said |
Marcia as they started out. Mr. Kerr
warned me that you had probably al |
Gifted certain time to our walk and |
hat this must not be exceeded"
Kerr" said Fabian vieiously, 'tsuf- /
ers from softening of the brain. We
ire going to make this walk Just as
ong as we possibly can
Ma lauQh her rinnlfuc laugh