The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-28
The EVENING STORY
BIaisdelI's S. M. p. II.
by German Bell

/
and the cheap small talk of the med
ium priced boarding house, but it was
at least better than the cherries little
room that even her feminine ingenuity
of home.
Over at the piano the young woman
who had charge of the millinery de-
partment of big store picked out
Love Me and the World Is Mine" with
one finger, the yellow-keyed piano re-
spending occasionally with the right
note. A floor walker from the same
store looked adoringly down upon her,
and Mrs. Castleton, the landlady, smil-
ed approvingly upon both of them. AL
ready they had told her that after the
first of the year they should need the
front room on the first floor instead Of
the rear hall rooms on the third and
fourth floors.
Col. McGregor was studying a chess
problem over in one corner and vari-
Gus little groups were formed about
the room. Blanche had just decided
that the hall room was preferable to
the piano, when Mrs. Castleton trans
ferred her attention from the amorouS
pair at the piano to the newcomer.
"Oh, Miss Philbrick," she called.
May I speak with you a moment?"
Blanche came forward, wondering
what Mrs. Castleton might have to say.
Evidently from the fat smile that
adorned the landlady's face she was
about to ask a favor.
L
day." went on Mrs. Castleton. Its
Thanksgiving" continued the matron,
seeing from Blanche's face that she did
not understand. ''All the rest of the
folks are going home for the day. or
will spend it with friends"
Il have no friends here in the city,"
said Blanche blankly, land home is so
dreadfully far away
Home had never seemed so far
away as at that moment She had
left her home when her father mar
ried again. There was no place she
might call home; not even the little
room upstairs
Mrs. Castletons face fell at the an
nouncement. II was thinking that If
you was going out, too" she ex-
planned. 81 might let the servants have
the day out Then we could have the
turkey and things on Sunday" she
added as proof that her motives were
not mercenary.
Guy Blaisden noted the girls en-
barrassment and came to her relief.
You have left me out of this dis
CUSTOM" he cried gayly. I'm one of
the homeless, too. L propose that Miss
Philbrick join me in the formation of
the Society for Making People
Thankful
Mrs. Castleton eyed Blaisdell appre-
hensively. She never was certain
where his remarks would lead. Only
that morning he had led her on in
praise of the butter and had wound
up by declaring it to be the strongest
butter he had ever tasted. Blaisdell
caught her glance and fastened to put
her mind at rest.
'"This is an admirable order" he
ran on. 81 know where there is a
place where they give real old-fash-
toned New England cooking. They
are going to spread themselves Thurs
day If Miss Philbrick will be my
guest she will make me very thank
full and at the same time she will
make the servants thankful. too, by
giving them a chance to go to the
matinee instead of worrying over an
elaborate dinner for two. Will you
come Miss Philbrick ?' s5sN
For a moment Blanche hesitated. 1t
was not that she did not want to go
her soul revolted at the very thought |
of THANKSGIVING dinner in Mrs Cas-
tleton's gloomy dining room-but she
had not yet accustomed herself to the
of dinner with a compare
lively unknown man, without a |
chaperon.
She knew that chaperons were not
considered necessary where girls earn
ed their own living, still it seemed a |
little daring. But BlaisdelPs eager face |
and Mrs. Castleton's appealing glance |
decided her. She turned to Blaisdell |
"I shall be most happy to accept |
your invitation" she said, and Mrs.
-astleton looked relieved. Thanksgiv-
ing and Christmas were her bugbears.
Once in her own room Blanche was
amazed at her action. She had been in
he city for eight months, and in all
hat time not once had she accepted
any of the numerous offers of enter
ainment She liked Blaisdell better
han any of the others in the house.
There was something fresh and whole
Iome about him, ver-- different from
he assumed sophistication of most OF
he men. He was past thirty, and a
BALD patch on the back of his head was
llready beginning to be in evidence.
,ut he was still boy at heart and
rom the first Blanche had been at.
racted to him.
The dinner was all that Blaisdell
lad promised. A New England girl,
Who had sought to make her way in
he city. had persuaded her mother to
,ome on and start restaurant. Two
ioors in a good neighborhood were
imply fitted up and much of the New
atmosphere was preserved .
Except in the prices.
The rooms were crowded today. but
had reserved a table. and
Blanche thoroughly enjoyed dinner
hat was unlike the fare at thu
house.
II come over here very often" ex-
'lained Blaisdell. when at last the
Office and mince and pumpkin pies
we're served. ITS as near as bach
cit does taste like home" asserted
Blanche. 81 grow so tired of Mrs. Cas-
elton's weekly routine"
"You will have to come here often
hem" said BlaisdeI promptly. cit {
yould be all the more pleasant for
ompany. It's lonesome eating alone" I
"I think it Is more dreary to eat with t
whole roomful of people with whom
gu have so little in common" said =
'lanche with a sigh.
''It is SO much more lonesome in the I
Ity with all the people you don't know
nan in the country where there are so
wv people whom you do know t
ct don't think that we are cut out for
ity 1plk,' agreed Blaisdell, with a IL
lugh. Lets get over to the park for {
little walk before the theater." (