The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-30

Vesuvius CaIzl1ed.
(By J. Ludlurn Lee.)

Arthur Southgate had never married |
even one. and he argued that. combining |
his own obstreperous disposition with the |
Unborn obstinacy Of all women, something |
single life as the lesser of two evils.
On this particular Sunday afternoon he !
| friends in the smoking room Of the Royal |
club. Pulling out his watch he saw that |
IT, was ns five ocockSn tS two two hours r late
Jumping Jehoshaphat!' he cried as he |
pushed back from the table. TN catch |
| frenzy waiting for me at the other end
| Of the line. Bye-bye. boys" and he was
| Jumping in his waiting car. he urged |
the chauffeur to make haste, and when |
he rang the bell of the Arlington home, |
| Hello. honey" she greeted him.
s3utheste Mas speeches. Isl He had S,d HT
y your and How dare dare your. ' W
oh" sighed Irene. II certainly am
| glad you didn't come earlier. for at three
and she seemed to breathe exhilaration-l
| its perfect"
Southgate started in to explain his |
lateness. and decided to tell the truth. He |
flattered himself that he knew women. |
| through and through, and argued that the |
troubles. Irene seemed bored by his ex-
PLANTATION and interrupted him.
su my dear no svs sns sad time
They never give girl an excuse to be
The auto flashed through the city and
over the dusty roads. The Sunday |
| crowds were left behind on the popular |
| thoroughfares: The quiet country roads
which their chauffeur chose were almost |
| deserted. Twilight had begun to fall. and
fitful shadows were cast upon the road
IT thought we would stop at Linden
Lodge for supper" Southgate was say
look told 5s ssu and Mrs.
ing a protest from his compaion. he added
t,"Of course If you want to go somewhere
"oh. I love the Lodge" exclaimed
A sharp report from behind. and her
standstill. southgate and the chauffeur
both jumped out. A tire had burst, be
at the chauffeur. who stolidiy began the
hours task Of taking off the old tire and
putting on new one. ,.
Irene" began Southgate. II tell you this
automobile business is rotten to the core
Its"
But I'm not furious. I'm rather glad
been speeding so that I've lost my breath,
lovely wild flowers I want to pick-and
oh. 1 love to see mechanics work. and
when get my flowers I'm coming back
to watch your man"
She gathered up her fluffy skirts and
Jumped out on the ground. soutng az,
| girl to make sure he heard Alright. He
felt like the small boy who wanted to
pnfh R hnn to he II he
She assured him that she did, and to-
gether they walked back and gathered the
flowers. A scientific man would have
had difficulty in figuring out which were
the thickest-the wild flowers or the mos
/ "Tm eaten to death with these beastly
pests" said Southgate as he slapped one
flat on his wrist; Il can't stand II
another minute-and really with tnat tnin
dress of yours
"oh. MOSQUITOES are no worse ; than arot 9th
er pests" said Irene. My little brother
has white mice that get out Of the cage
/ and run all over the house. Our colored
cook has the ugliest black cat you ever
her"
Southgate thought the heat must have
ply They returned to the car to find the
new tire on and again started our Ihey
sped along the dusty road and were
stopped and refused to move. Investiga-
ton proved that the gasoline had given
Il Once more the chauffeur heard Mr..
southgates opinion 9f a him a in no oasher
Irene and Arthur started out for the
jaunt. The distance was short, put Irene
was dressed for riding and , not TOR walls Yak.
were little support, and suddenly turning
her ankle. she uttered a little. cry.
with some concern There was certainly
! something very congenial about Irene
Arlington he a ans%eaed Irene only the
heel of my slipper has come off"
What the deuce shall we do now?" he
answer he added-"For heavens sake
don't tell me that you Just love to hop
mot that" laughed Irene, but do you
go and get stone and knock the other
heel off then NJ, can an S Waik IN Go slippers
II Arthur Southgate had never Learned the
cobber's trade. but as he took OF the
odd slippers he almost Oft snd he ne nnt back
the slipper took off the other and pound,
ed the nails down flat replaced that. and
Arthur. sent or a mar from the garage
tn tTes the roaa q 1rene sst her has
Alright and awaited Arthurs return.
Were pretty late, I guess" he said las as
Jack and Mrs Jack anywhere Are you
Eyes. Indeed" assured Irene. but do
wish you would telephone mother that we
will be a bit late. You know mothers
Arthur called an attendant.
Call eS7 Terrace. will you. and when
you get them I'll talk" 49,.
the telephone amt workin' today-any-
thing else sir?''
aes E We out II beiss rasffo what
next. do you SUPPOSE" ,.
''Dinner, I hope" said Irene with a
hearty laugh. Pm a weeny bit hunsry
At the table Arthur Southgate ate lit
tie He never could tell himself in after
wears whether it was his appetite that
nlayed him false, or whether some new
quantity came into his being, and LETT no
room for anything else.
But during that meal Arthur's idea OF
women in general. and one in particular.
| seemed to pass through metamorphosis.
Perhaps all women were not sptfires
He knew one who was not at least Per-
haps all women were not hysterical ana
Inrea sonable-and a lot of other disa
| rreeable qualities with which he had al
ways attributed them.
The hot soup was almos: cold, the iced
;. | I,,Eo and the after