The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-27
THE EVENING STORY
A Rose by Any Other Name.
by ]. Ludlum Lee,1

10y - 1LuQlum Aee.l
Any true musician knows what
trial it is to practice Chopin's Fifth
Nocturne" while q hand organ on the
street is grinding out Way Down in
Honolulu" and the pianola in the cot
tage next door is pedaling out the
Merry Widow" waltz Norah McCue
knew what it meant. for she had been
attempting such a miracle for the last
hour. each bar of music interspersed
With certain pertinent expressions
which her mother would have termed
Shocking"
The door bell rang sharply and as
Norah rose to answer 1t, she gave q
discordant pound upon the keys as II
to Illustrate her mood. She opened
the door to be faced with the little
errand boy from the station, stolidly
chewing gum.
ANY of youse Winter he managed
to say between the vigorous move
ments of the jaws.
snapped Norah. do I look like a mu-
latto?''
whats your name?" queried the
boy as he began to tumble in his pock-
ct for a letter.
my name is McCue," said Norah
somewhat CURLY.
The boy began to hum. Norah could
not recall the air, but its Elusive ia
miliarity annoyed her.
What is it you want. boy?" she de-
manded.
I'm lookin' for gent named White.
That's what I want. Does he live
here or don't he?'
Certainly he does not" Norah as
sured him. My name is McCue and
I live here with my mother--no one
elseedo you understand, you stupid
She stopped abruptly. The boy had
begun to sing, the same air with
words:
Hugh McCue, you mick, you,
You mick, you.
This was too much! Norah slammed
the door with great force. 1t was use
| less to even attempt to practice now
Ever since last night. when she had
quarreled with Josh, things had gone
wrong. She would go out and Sit IN
the old apple tree and fight 1t out WIFE
herself. She would climb to her ia
yorite branch and write out that musi-
cal exercise for the professor. With
| few blank sheets of paper under hel
arm and clad in a very smart white
sweater she emerged from the SIDE
1 door, sauntered around the yard OF the
| house and climbed up the old LADDER
| that leaned against the apple tree.
| She was just comfortably seated OF
one of the upper branches when sht
again caught distinctly those famil1a'
strains of Hugh McCue." this TIM
| whistled.
| again I'll but Norah got no fur
| ther in her one-sided conversation
Instead of a messenger boy appeared
| tall strapping youth, pipe IN mouth,
| stiff walking stick in hand. !olloWe'
| by a sprightly little Irish terrier. a
had stopped and was taking 10 III
| mick. you old boy" said the man
| ..you see that ladder over there-wel
I'm going to smash it in 40 pieces:
| there is anything I hate 1t is a siien
reminder of things that mlgnt nav
heen and happy days gone by
| Mick gave assent by a sharp bari
as the man strobe up and gave TN
ladder a vigorous kick
GLOW dare you?" came from PENN
the screen of sort green leaves al
pale pink bloom. -
The dog pricked up his ears ana Tn
man simulated amazement.
| "Mick." he preceded, you ana
have discovered a wonderful thing.
talking tree.
Mick Wagged his tail.
"Brute" came from the skies above
"The tree is now addressing you, m
Mick gave several delighted yelp:
ran up and down the yard, and start
ed around the corner
.etJere Mick. YOU" cried his master
"roIne hack here! I want to talk t
YOU" Then he whistled, and the tun
| was that of
l. Huge McCue. you mick, you,
You mick, you.
at did not choose my name, ana
wo11ldn't take advantage OF a Woma