The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-08
THE EVENING STOR Y
Winning Miss Edith.
(By James Heclow.)


II come from the burial of hopes,
she said. 81 had perfectly horrid
time with Aunt Edith this morning.
Doesn't she want a nephew-in-laW! 2,
he asked. growing grave.
When 1 told her that I had known
you for some time and that you wanted
permission to call. she answered that
must have shown how much cared.
That's no crime he said softly.
mot that she agreed, but she said
that If had known you long enough
to care for you and you had not sought
her permission to pay attention to me,
you were not the sort of man to make
good husband and that 1 must never
see you again.
But she never goes into society" he
protested, land we were in love with
each other before it ever occurred 20 US
t. ask permission of her to do so.''
st told her all that answered Mile,
but it did no good. When Aunt Edith
has her mind made up, there is no use
trying to change it,
There isn't?'' he said, with a snap of
his determined jaw. I'LL land the old
worry, dear, I'll make her like me
whether she wants to or not. Don't you
think l camp he asked, as her face did
not clear.
You're a dear" she said hesitatingly.
but Aunt Edith is awfully stubborn.
can be to old ladies'" he Insisted
Sometimes think I should have done
better had I given up my business &c
become a book agent selling something
that appeals to old ladies'"
Aunt Edith hates book agents." she
said dolefully.
well, I'm not one yet" he laughed.
TT will all come out all right.
Millie took comfort from his conf
dence, but Carl was by no means as
certain as he tried to appear. MISS
Edith Ormsby was not a person to be
easily won. She lived in the past. Life
had stopped for her when the man she
was to marry was killed in railroad
wreck.
She had become recluse in the
handsome house at the foot of the
Claire street hill. When her sister died
and left her little daughter to Miss
Edith's care, she had ltghtened a III
tie the rigors of her life, but she had
never gone into society ana she Was
still of the belief that an honorable
sutton first made application to the
parents of the girl he loved before he
sued for her hand.
When MilIy confessed that she loved
Carl Bray and he had asked that he
might see the old lady, she gasped,
realizing what would happen, but she
had conveyed his request bravery
enough, only to be met by rebuff.
She had been ordered never to see
ed to interview Drina Newhall, who
chaperoned Mile when she went out
in society.
Carl left the girl with heavy heart,
though his parting was laughing as
surance that all would come right. Al
most unconsciously he turned his steps
toward the hill. He had half promis-
ed to drop over and see how the new
coasting bob was working. He and
his two small nephews had put a lot
of work in the construction of the
hobs, and today was the first time
there had been a chance to use them.
The Claire street hill was the recog-
nized coasting point. There were no
intersecting car tracks, teamsters were
used to watching the point and there
was but little traffic.
He found the small boys aglow with
pride. BY cunningly weighing the
sleds the bobs had turned out the
fastest on the hill, and Carl readily fell
in with their suggestion that he try
their speed.
He had, made two trips and was pre-
pairing for the third when he noticed
an old lady standing watching the
boys. There was wistfulness in her
eyes that appealed to him, and he
stepped up.
Wont you try a rider" he asked
pleasantly 1.-The hill is in splendid
shape
"Nonsensei" was the energetic reply.
Il have not rlQQen on those Things
since I was little girl"
cali the more reason you should
seek to renew the pleasure" he smiled.
Its great fun"
'sThe last time I coasted down this
hill was in the winter of IL. I was
nineteen then"
BE nineteen again." he pleaded.
held by the look of longing in her
eyes, Its helped me wonderfully
today. I'll be careful Will you
come ?"
Carr had spoken the truth when he
told Mile that he was successful with
the old ladies. There was a genial
frankness in his manner and an hon.
est look in his face that won regard
and confidence For a moment the
old lady hesitated, then with little
laugh she stepped off the curb.
"If any one sees me 1 shall tell
them that you hypnotized me-" she
warned. as, smiling with excitement, |
she took her place on the seat. Carl
took the tiller, and Ben and Bobby
threw themselves on.
They shot down the hill with an
easy motion that deceived as to the
speed. The trees lining the sidewalk
flew past, and twice Carl forged ahead
Of some other sled and his passenger
echoed the triumphant shouts voiced |
by the boys.
She rose reluctantly as they at last
came to a stop. Her eyes sparkleds |
and there was soft flush in her yer-
low cheeks. "I was nineteen for a |
WHILE" she smiled at Carl. ''I did not |
ina CINE that I should enjoy it so.''
"Try it again. he urged promptly. |
I'll help you up"
cepting the proffered arm, she started |
back up the, hill They stood chatting |
drag up the heavy hobs. She told of the |
Did days while he listened with respect |
ful attention, and once or twice she even |
Joined his good-natured banter as some |
IF the boys they had passed came along |
Then the boys arrived with the hobs |
and second time she carefully tucked |
her skirts about her and prepared for |
he swift descent. This time three sleds |
started out together to race. She en- |
tered into the spirit of the occa sion and |