The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-11
THE EVENING STORY
The Catch Of the Season.
(By Cecily Allen.)

now and I'm through
Talk about being a,gg,s quiet sacssss said
! ly, like sitting hen, ever since
threw my first line. No wonder we
don't get a bite"
Whit Miller turned around to look
at his friend Jack Barnes, lighting his
pipe meanwhile.
"All right, you clumsy old thing. I
know what I'm talking about. grin
ned Jack: You move about In TINS
little rowboat as II 1t were an ocean
going steamer. Look to your line
there"
Whit turned suddenly at the men
ton of the long-awaited bite: Clumsy
he might be, but Jack loved his chum
just because he was clumsy and al
ways needed his help. The turn was
fatal. Whit lost his balance. his foot
slipped an the wet bottom OF the boat;
unexpected dip. Fortunately the
water was only five feet deep. and
Wint's head appeared above the water
in a second, pipe in mouth and the
fire still going.
courses on you, Jack Barnes. You
did that purposely and you'll pay Tor
this" growled Whit, as he tried to
climb aboard.
Jacks commissions of laughter did
not help matters much, and when ne
did stop for a moment it was only to
heap Goals of fire upon Wint's wet
my fault! Well, I like that, you
old land lubber. I told you to keep
quiet but you knew it all. Now ouf
days fishing is spoiled and I can stay
home and nurse you. Climb aooaro
and let's get home before you develop
the measles or whooping cough"
It was a very sullen pair that un-
locked the door of their fishing nut
on haur later. Whit was shtvering ana
Jack was muttering under his breath.
They hunted in vain for dry clothes,
as they had come down only for day
or two to rough 1t. Jack turned to his
friend with helpless expression.
"Wint, there's only one thing to DO.
Well have to pack up and go over TO
Uncle Wits and see If they will take
you in. You're sneezing your head or
now and by morning you'll probably
to do it, for Aunt Fanny doesn't ap-
prove of me, or my friends either, Tor
that matter" added Jack.
Again the pair started off and walk
ed through the woods to pretty nttlo
cottage set in among the pines. Aunt
Fanny Peal met them at the porch.
She was a woman who held her head
high at all times, but just now 1T SEEM
ed to be straighter than ever.
80 it's you, is it?" she said, as JACK
extended his hand. VINO is TINS person
with your" she added as she glanced
at the figure of Whit, covered with red
mud and hatless.
Hoh, I say, Aunt Fanny, be easy:
We've had an accident. Inns miiIe Is my
fell overheard and we've come over TO
see If YOU won't take US In Tor the
night until his clothes get dry? Where
Uncle Will? He'll understand
your uncle is in town and Belle and
T are alone. Blood is blood and you
cannot deny your own. I'll take you
in for your mothers sake" wh1ned
Aunt Fanny as she opened the oooF III
ANYTHING but welcome manner. -.
- HfannV
cheerily answered Jack as he saw the
door open for them. But Whit must
get dry he's caught a dreadful cold
fear"
HE doesn't look exactly frail." sug.
rested Mrs Beal as she glanced at
Wint's somewhat ample proportions.
However come in and go up to your
uncle's room. I suppose you Will leave
this evening-you know we nave no
spare ROOM" she added lest they snoulo
avail themselves of a nights lodging.
Whit did not leave that evening, not
for MANY many evenings thereafter. AT
o'clock that afternoon the doctor was
sent for. He looked at the nusheo
cheeks and the parched tongue. He
listened to the wheeling breath as IL
came so hard, ard shook his head.
1--WE must have a nurse at once, Mrs:
Beal. The man is very sick. VIII
send a nurse and will call again later.
Good afternoon" and the doctor was
gone. u.
For weeks Whit lowered between life
and the great beyond. No one entered
the room but the nurse, the doctor ana
Isabelle Beal, Jacks cousin. She re-
Iieyed the nurse, and sometimes even
the doctor would call her in to give
few directions. Jack came down every
day or two, but never was allowed 70
see his churn Slowly the big man made
his fight. slowly his eyes lost the CLASSY
look. and finally the day came when
the nurse was no longer needed. lsa-
belle could manage with Jacks help at
night.
IT saw. nurse" said Whit one day as
isabelle sat reading to him. I'm glad
that other nurse beat 1t. ike you
better"
at all. Mr.. Miller" said Isabelle. as she
blushed at the implied compliment
STm Jacks cousin-Aunt Fanny's
daughter, you understand. But love
Jack and I'll do anything for ms
Don't let's read any more, SAID
Whit. Just let's talk. I don't care
whether you're a really-truly nurse OF
not. il like you cause you're you,
dressed like a white man she won't
think I'm such a terror. I certainly did
look like day laborer out or JOB the
afternoon I landed on the front porch.
1T know" said Isabelle, as she laugh en-
ed heartily and laid down the book. 1T
must have been so funny. Mothers
terribly proper, you know"
Days went on like this. and Mrs. Beal
was gradually won over to the enemys
camp. Every one who knew Whit Mil
lar loved him-loved him despite his
careless, hapless ways, for his kindly
shirt and other things, but mostly be-
cause he was he. In the days that FOL
lowed he had many nurses, as an tne
70 n,iIv took turns wheeling him across
the room so that he might bask in the
sunlight, but his hapDiest hours were