The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-22
THE EVENING STORY
His Little Hatchst.
(By Jerome sprasue.)

/ His Little Hatchst.
(By Jerome sprasue.)
1 All the world was white. and the
4 wind drifted it into corners and piled
It up on the bare branches OF the
trees.
i Virginia stood at the window and
watched it disconsolately.
i Of course I shall have to have q
cab" she said. 'or I'll spoil my gown"
| OF course" said the young man
who reclined comfortably in a big
brown leather chair by the fireplace.
OF course. If you insist on going OUT
Virginia whirled around and looked
at him scornfully. "Why should stay
at home ?'' she demanded.
Because life Is too short to risk get
ting your feet wet and your chiffons
damp. when you might sit here and
talk to me-, was the lazy reply
Virginia, with all her rosy ruff1es
ahutter. crossed the room and stood In
front Of him.
Would you really want me to stay.
Bob, she demanded, when it is my
duty to go? 1t isn't as II 1t were an
everyday affair, but continental din
ner to celebrate the birthday of the
thing
! Certainly" her nance agreed, but
It isn't worth going out in all this
l.
land your great grandfather was al
most frozen at Valley Forge for this
! The young man smiled. ''well. not
exactly," he said. but what's the use.
virginia. Stay here and talk to me and
let the world go by
Yes. what's the use of anything ?"
she stormed. why should men fight
and suffer and die when their de-
liscendants forget such heroism-forget
everything but their own ease?
Her eyes flashed. and at her sharp
words Cunningham flushed little.
"Oh. I say, Virginia he protested.
I'm not SO bad as all that I'd fight
for my country If 1t were necessary,
but that hasn't anything to do with
! your getting your feet wet
please telephone for my cab," was
her command. and then. as he rose to
do her bidding, she came back at him
J by the fire and dream. If you wish. !
don't want you to go with me-"
He turned and looked at her. do
you really mean that. Virginia ?" ,,
Yes" she said, 81 really mean it."
He telephoned and came back, then
In silence they sat, one on each side O.
the fireplace, waiting.
When at last the cab drove no. he
helped her into her fur-lined wrap, and
knelt to put on her carriage boots
When he rose to his feet. he asked
Shall l etme for you after the re-
ception 2,
linghuysen will lat me come home
with her. I need not trouble you to
leave the fire.
He laughed a little. "Oh, don't rub
It in" he said. as he preceded her t.
the cab.
He stood bareheaded in the snow as
the cab drove away, and Virginia &
heart gave little throb of admiration
How very good looking he was. and
how lazyl He needed a lesson.
Later she thought OF him when the
devoted D. A. RS. having read papers
and sung songs expressive of their
patriotism and Of their desire to per-
petuate the name and fame of their
of the evening.
Dinner followed. and in a glitter of
gorgeousness the daughters trailed up
stairs to the dining room. Flags deco
rated the long hall, rosettes Of buff and
blue were everywhere, and in the CEN
ter Of the huge table was cherry tree,
at the foot of which lay a shining
hatchet tied with red ribbons.
Virginia, with Mrs Frelinghuysen
opposite. and with a famous old ad-
mfral on one side and a callow cadet
on the other, was bored to extinction.
/ Her thoughts crept back somewhat
longingly to Cunningham. to the bright
fire on the hearth and to the big brown
leather chair, which since their en-
gagement had come to be called
"Bob's own" Her own low wicker
close to 1t.
| Mrs Frelinghuysen and the admiral
argued
! Ibid you agree with the speaker. /"
asked the stately dame, that there are
few men now like the ones Of wash
ington's time ?''
mo" he said, somewhat grufny.
There's nothing to bring it out now.
reason come and you'd find that some
Of our --latest men would be the best
fighters"
Virginia leaned forward eagerly.
do you really think that7" she
The old man nodded.
Certainly, Miss Cary. Been my ex-
perience. haven't bit OF use for the
man who brags. Just get one Of those
fellows with good blood in him. and in
times of peace he'll act as If it was an
exertion to cross the room. But let war
/ come-and he's the one that does the
big things"
4 Virginia began to wonder II she had
been hasty IN her condemnation of
Bob She wished that she had let him
come with her-she wished-and, "a II
the fairies had heard, she saw Cunning
hams fair head In the doorway.
He came straight toward her and even
as she watched him. Virginia was aware
of a strange commotion In the room.
women were rising from the seats. and
1 men were shouting, then chairs crashed
as their occupants huVveu them hack In
haste and made for the stairway, and
over and above all wavorsd q thin blue
banner Of smoke.
.Mrs. Frelinghuysen,s said Cunndne,-
ham as he came UP, "the building L. on
|; Are. have turned in an alarm, but we
must get out at once"
The old officer and the young cadet.
each trained to act quickly. sprang to
s.You look out for the other women %
Cunningham directed. TIL take care Of
As thew hurried toward the doors, q
man came running to meet them Go
TO the back stairway he painted.
"there,s g perfect stampede on the
front-it won't do for another person