The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-30
THE EVENING STORY
Questions and the ANSWER.

climbed solemnly into the blue plush
cnair and surveyed the fast filling car
Town at The far end was a man with
q req fez upon his head, and for the
space or full minute r. H. C. P. re-
garaed this strange creature. then his
snrlii voice rose above the hustle Of
the incoming passengers
What's that man wearing a mon
key nat for. Uncle Harry" ne de-
manded. Harry Blake scowled at his
nephew and whispered that the man
caLIie from a country where all wore
similar hats.
Are they all monkeys?" loudly de-
manded the Soungster. Half a dozen
persons Uttered and the Turkish trav-
eler rose and went forward to the
smoker. Blake coaxed the boy to look
out or the window and devoutly prayed
that this occupation would hold his
attention until their train should pull
out and the roar of the wheels drown
the incessant stream OF questions;
He was more than ever glad OF his
strategy when Mabel Manley entered
the car and took a seat diagonally
across from them. 1t is unpleasant to
be in the same parior car with
young woman who. but the night be-
fore, declared matrimony to be out OF
the question and after having worn
ones engagement ring for more than
two months.
Blake, anticipating trouble, Won
an exchange into another car. but the
impossibility Of leaving 0ueStions
(Which was r. H. c. P.'s shorter
name) alone, prevented the carrying
out OF that plan.
He was Just congratulating hinself
that they would at least be under way
before Questions made the discovery OK
Miss Manley's presence, when the
youngster turned his attention from
the window and sank back into his
seat.
They're beating u.s." he walled.
pointing to a departing local train on
an adjoining track. They're starting
first and 1t amt fair"
The tears began to fiow at the
treachery OF the other train that dared
to precede the one he honored with his
patronage, but they quickly dried as
Mabel instinctively started forward to
comfort him, forgetting the scene of
the night before.
"There's Miss Mabel" cried the tor
ment. "Why amt you talking to her,
Uncle Harry"
she doesn't want to. be talked to-"
but you're always talking to her.
he insisted. ''Why don't you do it
now?"
"She wants to be alone" explained
Blake, but Questions wriggled from
his chair.
"She don't" contradicted the youth.
"She's calling me-
He sprang across the aisle and into
the girls lap. For moment he nes-
tied against her shoulder but it was
the lull of false peace.
care you mad at Uncle Harry" he
demanded.
Hush, dear" whispered the blush
ing girl. you mustn't ask such ques-
tons"
"But are you?" he insisted. "why
don't you want him to sit by you and
hold you hand like you always do?"
eff you say such things shall have
to put you down." she admonished,
as several of the passengers began to
"But you do persisted the little
fiend. "And you kissed him, too! If
you amt mad, why don't you kiss
him? ?"
Blake reached across the aisle and
caught his nephew in stern grip.
'You keep on talking and I'll spank
you,' he Missed through his half
clenched teeth. Now, don't let me
hear q word out of you"
'I only get spanked when I tell
lies" tlef1ed Questions. "I wasn't tell
Ing lies. It's true, you do kiss her"
Blake caught his nephew's arm in
grip of steel and shook him roughly.
Questions began to cry.
You hurt?" he walled. "I want
mamma. I hate you He rose in his
wrath and began to pound Blake with
swore ferv2ntly that never again would
he chaperone a child, even to oblige
the best sister that ever lived. Cues
tons. firing of his occupation, aban-
doned the pummeling and began to
cry again. The train was in motion
now and the roar of the movement
filed the car, but Questions's walls
rose superior to the noises. Mabel
stood it as long as she could, then
she crossed the aisle.
ffTa II - I'LL
perhaps I could quiet him. she sug-
gested. perhaps you would like to
go forward to the smoker for a cigar"
Blake flashed a grateful glance into
the clear, brown eyes and relinQuished
his charge.
There was no one else to bring him
down., so 1 promised Nell that
would" he said. I'm sorry he en- |
barrassed you so. but I couldn't help |
it, There are some problems still too
vast for his childish grasp-and mine, |
too" he add ed under his breath.
He had just settled himself comforta-
bly, for a smoke when the porter of his
car came into the buffet, his face
wreathed in smiles.
1.-The lady done say as to how you
was to come back" he reported. THAT
III boy sho' enough want you.''
With an exclamation Blake sprang to
his feet, throwing away his cigar, and |
went bac!. to his seat.
IT am sorry to have to send for |
YOU" said Mabel, but Questions SEEM |
I'd to think that you had deserted him |
and he refused to be comforted."
st hope that he will appreciate me, |
now that he has me back" said Blake. |
sriniy, as he took the boy into his
arms.
ssIm sure that he will be good she
declared with q smile. Blake regarded |
he small boy doubtfully and retreated |
% his seat. For a full five minutes /
Questions was quiet; then he began to |
sob afresh.
whats 1t now?" asked Blake. fear
July.
II want Miss Mabel to hold my
land," he sobbed.
"She can't" said Blake. irritably.