The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-06
THE EVENING STORY
When Elizabeth Came.
(Ry Clarissa Mackie.l

4
err babe her goodby.
Roger Blake had kissed her tender
ly and gone into the western wilder
ness to make home. He had little
money, but strong hands and the stur-
dy ambition that overcomes stupen-
dous obstacles.
In spite of these assets five years
passed away before the Wyoming |
farm was declared to be in readiness 4
for a mistress.
In the East Elizabeth taught school,
sewed on her simple trousseau and
enjoyed herself as healthy, attrac-
tive girl cannot help doing. Every |
week she wrote long letter to Rog- |
er.
One August day, when the five !
years had expired, Roger made last |
| tour of inspection about the ranch. |
| On distant hill slopes his cattle graz |
| ed; nearer home fields were undulat- !
| ing green seas of wheat and oats; |
rustling cornfields spread away to the |
\ westward
| In the midst was the home lot, the |
low house surrounded by vine-covered
verandas, grassy lawn and thrifty
young trees, Flowers and shrubs
had been set out the first year with
loving care.
The farm was paying at last. The
poultry yards occupied good acre
/ they were to be Elizabeth's special
care All the hard. drudgery work
had been done by Roger, and now the
home was ready.
| A month before he had sent Eliza
beth 500. He had said he would ex-
| pect her on the 10th of August and
would meet her at the little station
| twenty miles distant.
This was the 10th OF August and
Roger had not heard one word from
| his sweetheart. Nevertheless. ne mar
messed the sorrel team to ms PUCK
I board and started forth to meet the
I1230 express from the East. Before
they returned to the farm they would
drive to the minister's and be mar
ried.
rounded the sorrels before the lonely
i little station The station master
sauntered out and chatted about the
weather and the crops.
There was piercing shrek and the
express Numbered along the platform.
A couple of trunks were dumped from
the baggage car and a girl IN brown
lalighted from one of the coaches. by
the time Roger mad reachen nsr tne
express had pounded away into the
The girls face was covered by a
thick, brown veil. but it was Eliza
beth without doubt Roger ~. knew y
most boyish freedom of movement,
and the curve of dark hair at the
back as she turned her head.
"Eiizabeth!'' he cried exultingly, as
he grasped her hands in his.
chow do you do?"
zine" he said mechanically as he
released her hands and fell into step
, beside her.
Around on the other side. You
| are glad to get here, amt you, Eliza,
| beth? Or were you tired of Waltingl
, There was agonizing appeal IN ms
blue eyes as they reached the buck
5 board and he assisted her to seat
: at was a long journey" she re-
r plied. with puzzled glance at him.
ST suppose you are one OF the-farm
,, "EIizabeth Atwood. Don't you
! know me-Roger?" He turned his
7 Clearly shaved, sun-burned face to-
5 ward her.
tbS She b bacF ber I Veil. awho do You
Z think I am ?" she gasped.
+ Roger Blake stared. 1t was the face
y of a stranger; her eyes were SOFT ano
e dark like those of his sweetheart ano
= her cheeks had the same oval framed
q in dusky hair-save for these points
= of resemblance there was no like
: ness between the two girls. Eliza
q beth Atwood was very pretty, but the
q stranger was beautiful.
"I am afraid you are disappointed,
r she faitered at last. 81 am Elizabeth
p Wood and have come to visit the
n waylands. and 1 supposed you were
; one of Cousin Dicks pet cowboys.
, | thought 1T strange you should call ms
4 | Elizabeth but had resolved not tc
" be surprised at anything out here'
y she laughed merrily, and Roger joined
her with a faint heart. 81 was look
ing for our Elizabeth on this train
he admitted soberly. your appear
ance deceived me-you are mucf
alike"
e IT was the only passenger" she sail
d alphabetically. Il hope your-you
q friend will come tomorrow. Where cal
# my cousins carriage be?"
n They were sitting in the buckboari
e in front of the station and the agen
h was trundling two trunks toward them
n Seen team from Waylands?" ask
d ed Roger Blake.
e Nope. Want these on the wagon?
e TOO heavy. Wayland will send TO
l. them. If his outfit arrives, tell then
e I'VE carried the young lady over to hi
2. place."
IS II hope I'm not taking you out Q
(. your way" she protested. Il can wal
+ Il sent letter."
} That's all right. 1 guess your lette
~ went estray the same as the one
! should have had. I've got plenty G
n time to spare" he added grimly, II wa
h going to be married this morning.
"Oh-I see! ] am very sorry" sh
said sincerely. Then she maintaine
a sympathetic silence while Roge
drove her over the long road acros
the prairie to the wayland farm, whic
p, adjoined his own on the north.
"a How long are you going to stay?
70 queried Roger. just before their jouI
~ :. | ney ended.
o. weeks or months, perhaps. I hav
2. no near relatives and have been teach
y, ing school. My cousins have asked m
al to come here and enjoy long rest.
nc hope your trip to the station tomorro
N will be q more successful one-an
thank you." she said with a friendl
~ smile, as they parted
IN Ten days afterward Roger met hi
a riding out of the canyon. Her face wa
III prettily tanned and her broad brimme
oy hat made an effective frame for ht
ga | lovely face
ne May congratulate you today?" 81
ne asked brightly.
IT, Roger shook her head slowly, and Il
ce the first time she noted the tens