The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-13
THE EVENING STORY
As Arranged by Archie.
(BY CarIson Willard.l

garded Deering with sympathetic
gaze. Deering nodded. They were good
chums. these two. A couple of years
before Deering had talked Mrs. Shelby
into taking Archie out of the Buster
Brown suits he detested, and since then
Archie had been Vance behring's sworn
all.-.
But even Archie could not help much
with Lefty Shelby. AT heart Lefty
loved Deering, but she was not to be
easily won, and though Vance had pro-
posed a score of times, she had turned
aside the question without giving a de-
cided negative.
Lefty was only 10 and she had form
ed theory that it would be foolish to
marry early.
Il like you,'' she admitted to Vance,
but you see a girl who marries so
young loses an awful lot of fun. None
of the boys pay any attention to a
IF you really loved me-" he re-
preached. you would not care for their
attentions"
!, my. dear Vance," she smiled. unless
could learn to value your devotion?
1t is through contrasts that l shall
learn to appreciate you best"
Deering gritted his teeth In the
face of such arguments he was power
less. Somehow Letty's way of quietly
setting aside his protests was arrgrvat-
ing in the extreme. They could NOT
even quarrel comfortably, for she had
a way of quietly retiring when the ar
gument grew too strong for her, and
throwing the blame upon him In a way
that was maddening.
That was just what happened. She
had swept from the room with an Inn
perious air, and a remark that she
should be glad to see Mr.. Deer1ng again
when he had a better command of his
temper. That she was at the moment
IL H. fv7 fhA
of her own room was thing he could
not know.
He was preparing to let himself out
when Archie strolled into the room In
blissful defiance of his bedtime. HIS
sharp eyes quickly sensed the situation
and he sat down to talk it over with an
odd assumption of elderly dignity that
would have been amusing had Deerlns
been less upset.
Archie had mixed more with his eld-
ers than with children of his own age,
and had acquired an odd faculty OF
observation. Now he swung his stocky
legs to and fro from the highest chair
he could find, and regarded Deerfng
with the impression of owl-like wis
dom.
You see," he explained, Lefty is
odd I heard mother say so. When
she gets mad, the only way is to get
her scared then she'll come around
quick The time she got mad at me
for losing that invitation, 1 set the dog
on her and then grabbed him quick
She was frightened and thought l
saved her, and she cried over me and
gave me candy, and said l was a dear.
''I don't believe that 1t would work
in my CASE said Deering with a smile.
"I'u fix it for you," offered Archie,
"if you'll make me one promise"
whats that" demanded Deering.
you remember when Tommy Null
lens sister got married they made him
wear white satin pants and hold up
her train ?"
"I remember the ornate Master Null
Arches pointed remarks at the time
Of the wedding.
IF I fix it so you can marry Lefty,
[ don't want that sort of thing done to
me-
TITS a promise said Deering.
Archie shook hands and slipped
from the chair. 1T guess you'd better
be going now" he said Hospitality.
You come round Thursday"
Vance's departure, and then disap-
peared down cellar. 1t was nearly II
when at last his sister remembered
that he was supposed to be in bed at
1870 and found him innocently reading
In the dining room.
II thought you was with Vance
Deering." he remarked casually. and
[ didn't like to disturb you
Mr.. Deering is not coming here
again." Lefty said severely, but her
eyes filled.
But for all of that a box of flowers !
and a note preceded his arrival, and |
Thursday evening found him in the |
Shelby parlor and not at all happy over i
he fact. Lefty wore her most i'm |
armor of reserve, and the !
Ilightest suggestion of reconciliation |
vas met by a frigid silence that was
most depressing.
Mr.. Shelby had gone out of town,
md Mrs. Shelby was calling on a |
leighbor. Archie was safely tucked J
lway in bed, and they had the lower
part of the house pretty much to
themselves.
Suddenly from the basement came
he sound of pistol shots and fright
med cries, followed an instant later |
" the appearance of Archie in pink
nd white pajamas and bare feet.
ct slipped down stairs to get drink
# milk" he yelled, land three men
Ired their guns at me. Go down and
ill them. Vance"
A wink from Archie conveyed a
eal of meaning and Vance headed
-etty sat in the parlor with her fingers
n her ears and could not possibly
ave heard Arches whispered in
JUNCTION.
BILLY Widner's pistol is at the head
f the stairs" he explained, as he pat
cred out into the dining room after
)eering.
Feeling half ashamed of the subter
uge, Deering carried out Arches OBJ
ious scheme. The house was some
istance from the street and his ar
stic stimulation of a fight attracted
o attention. Archie was doing a ,
olemnly ecstatic dance back up the
tairs.
II saw 'em from the kitchen run
ing across the back yard Archie
Explained Now stick to it,"
Lefty shrieked as Vance came into =
ne dining room and threw herself
obbing upon his neck.
II was sure they had killed YOU"
ne cried. ''It was awful, Vance IL
did you care so much ?" he asked,
hi a q hae