The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-17
The EVENING STORY
The Stone Fireplace.
(By Temple Bailey


AS far as the eye could see:
stretched the limitless expanse OF
snow. Miss Frazier. pacing from
window to window of her little cot
tage, felt imprisoned.
"Oh. pussy cat. pussy cat" she said
| to the cat curled UP on the window
seat, 81 shall die Of loneliness"
The cat gave sleepy attention, and
Miss Frazier shook her gently. "Of
course you don't CARE she said, but
who could have believed that snow
| and cold weather would have come
| SO early. And all the other cottagers
have gone back to town. But I can't.
My rent is paid for six months, and I
can't afford to lose it"
Once more she began her excited
| went to sleep, and deadly quiet reign
ed. At last Miss Frazier could stand
| it no longer. She put on her hat and
coat and pair of rubbers. Pausing
| on the threshold as she went out,
she addressed the cat Electrically.
"SIeep on" she said. ct go to seek
my fortune" and she foundered
through the snow to the gate.
The road, deep with drifts. offered
new discouragements. Miss F'razier's
long skirts dragged and grew heavy.
and at last she stopped and sobbed
aloud, ''1 can't go on
Help came in the person of little
man in high boots, who appeared
from the other side OF the drift.
"Got stuck. did YER he asked.
ed at home. 'Tain't weather fer
| wimmin to be OUT
Miss Frazier looked at him haugh-
tily. In her code there was no place
for bad grammar, and, besides, as q
spinster of spirit, his reproof grated
on her.
women can't stay in and die of
loneliness" she told him stiffly.
The little man looked at her with
| sympathetic gray eyes: Lonesome.
was ye?" he said; well, now. that's
too bad"
His sympathy warmed the cookies
of Miss Frazier's heart. 1t was SO
long since any one had cared. The
last Of her family, she had taught
school in big city until i'll health
had forced her to resign. Then she
had rented the little cottage at the
Questionable resort, and had pre-
pared to live there for six months,
hoping for the benefits of fresh air
and free life- There had been otn-
err cottagers near, but they had their
own interests. SO that even in the
warmer months Miss Frazier had
been lonely, and now that snow had
come, her situation seemed unbear-
able.
she stood there, forlorn and cold in
the drift, and the little man said
again, well, now, that's too bad.
You'd better git into the house.
You'll ketch cold"
IT hate the house, said Miss Fran
Ter, f1ercely. There isn't soul
there but the pussy cat
ct live up at the farm" he in
formed her. I'm the new manager.
and there amt anybody there but
cook for US There is a good deal of
work Won know"
Miss Frazier didn't know, but she
found herself listening eagerly to his
talk of Guernsey cattle, and of blue
ribbon horses. with all the rest OF the
| The little man helped her. up the
path, and landed her on her own door
step safely. In spite of the biting air
he jerked his cap off as he babe her
"goodby."
"Come in - she urged, ooh, please
come in. don't think I can stand 1t
to face the pussy cat all alone.
His kindly blue eyes smiled at her:
"Pd like to come, he said; rant
very sociable up at the farm"
The little room was cherries enough.
Miss Frazier's ginger Jars and Mexi-
can hats had been artistic summer &C
cessories, but in the gray light OF the
snowy day they merely served to en-
fireplace was bunch of golden-rod
gone to seed The only warmth came
feebly from rickety stove In the sum-
mer kitchen.
placer" the little man demanded as he
surveyed the cavernous structure.
"I haven't any wood" shivered Miss
Frazier, III couldn't get any,"
Perhaps he read in her hesitation a
confession of poverty, but he did not
ask any more questions.
"Ill be back in a minute" he said
presently and went out. and when he
returned he was bending Atlas-like un-
der the weight of a great log that had
lain for days by the roadside.
"There," he said, as he deposited 1t
i'm the fireplace, eff you will take out
them wild flowers, we'n have g. fire."
Miss Frazier obeyed meekly.
aHow strong you are" she breathed.
"Oh law. yes" said the little man,
.'I kin lift most anything.
He made several trips after that.
finding enough dry wood In the shed
to start the fire, ana soon II was roar
ing gloriously.
The black cat came and curled up on
the hearth looking at the flames with
fathomless eyes.
"oh, it's lovely. lovely" said Miss
Frazier. 'It is like something alive"
IT allus did like fire." said the lit
tie man. IT came from down south. an
we don't think much of stoves there.
Not fer bein' sociable. You've got TO
see the flames to be real friendly.
IT am going to make you a cup of
tea Miss Frazier said hutteringly. and
when it was ready she brought it In on
a dainty tray. fianked by half dozen
stale crackers. st wish I had something
nice to offer" she said, "bur it is SO
hard to get things
The little man smiled, and as he took
in the details Of the poor room. some
knowledge of her plight seemed to
come to him, and he found way to
help her.
Il bet you don't know what good
things you kin cook over a fireplace"
he said, eagerly.
II never heard of such a thing" she
said what could I COOKE"
well, Brunswick stew is fine-it's got