The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-15
THE EVENING STORY
The Road to a Mans Heart.
(By Jennie Lee.)

The Road to q Mans Heart.
(By Jennie Lee.)
Elizabeth Hardcastle Yorke, of
Richmond. Va. had moved to the ex-
elusive town Of Vaudeville. She was
| widow Of twenty-seven and was q
descendant Of the first families OF
Virginia; and never for q minute did
she let you forget the deep blue of her
blood. the devotion Of her late
lamented husband, nor tho amount OF
money she once had.
Middleyille turned up its nose
midst. while the inhabitants did the
same thing literally. Elizabeth's man
ner was too imperious for their north
ern Independence; she laughed too
| much for a widow bowed in grief. and
called her Miss Lizbeth'' made them
almost doubt whether q Mr.. Yorke
had ever existed.
The only thing which would be
| said in her favor was that she at
tended church regularly and con-
| tributed literally to all the festivals.
Such was the tolerant situation when
the Rev. DR.. sBotcher called to make
his parochial visit.
I'm 50 glad You came to see me-"
love ministers-they're 30 old-fash-
Toned and queer"
The Rev. DR.. Botcher had been
twirling his cane as an inspiration to
starting an agreeable bit Of con-
versation. At this speech he stopped
| twirling it and grasped its handle
somewhat firmly.
Really. do your" was the sum to-
| tai Of his answer.
Supper is just this minute ready.
DOCTOR" continued Elizabeth. Lay
down that foolish old cane and come
| in and have some of mammy's blue
| berry cakes-they'n just make you
| wish you never had to go home"
The man made some weak COM
ment about not expecting to stay, but
he was swept into the cool dining
| room, and was eating cakes and sip
| ping iced tea before he could remon-
strate.
ct really came to see about those
| flowers planted along the line Of your
| lawn began the doctor.
chimed in Elizabeth. my husband
used to say had a most artistic eye
| for color"
Eyes, they are pretty, but you see
they are planted on the lawn that be-
longs to Mrs. Murray-over your line
you see."
Eyes. I believe she has been saying
something to that effect" said the
| charming widow. But 1 thought 1t
was awfully nice Of me to fix up her
place so prettily. even II 1t was en-
| croachment; don't your"
well, hadn't looked at 1t that
| way" agreed her divine company.
But really I must be going home as
| we have prayer meeting tonight"
Mrs. Yoke babe her visitor good
night and urged him to drop in again
| any time he was hungry for cakes.
Elizabeth was smiling to herself with
! something of satisfaction when she
heard footsteps on her porch. She
| went to the open door and met Mr..
| Murray husband, and evidently the
| much lesser half of Mrs. Murray, her
next door neighbor.
| How perfectly lovely Of you to call,
Mr. Murray" exclaimed Elizabeth as
she extended her hand to add to her
cordial welcome.
"Eer-yes-that is. I came over
about that row OF dahlias you planted
ooh, that's all right" interrupted
Elizabeth. You're quite welcome to
them. You see. have so many and
I want my neighbors to enjoy some
and I'll call NANNY to give US some
| thing to eat" and she disappeared to
return in a few minutes.
At her heels came the dear old
| nanny laden with a tray Of rasp-
berry shrub and a huge cocoanut cake
that look like ball Of snow.
Mr.. Murray found himself seated
before an old hickory table in an
armchair eating cake ana drinking
the shrub. Finding himself may
| seem an inadequate explanation of
how he got there but that is what he
| told Mrs. Murray on his return home.
Mrs. Murray was watching the
couple from the corner of her own
veranda and when Mr.. Murray return
ed smacking his lips and Mrs. Murray
| noticed flake of cocoanut on his
| vest she called him to account for his
fruitless call.
Saturday noon found Elizabeth dig
ging among her flowers. Her sweet
voice was humming "Way Down in
Carolina" and as she fitted from ono
rose bush to another she looked Almost
like some white spirit among the gar
dens Of earth. Her task was inter
''Miss 'Lisbeth, de town mayor done
call-come right in. honey. and see
what he want"
Elizabeth gathered UP in her arms
the roses she had been cutting for the
house, and walked around to the front
of the cottage. The town mayor was
good to look upon. The greatest COM
pliment that Elisabeth could pay him
was the silent comment she made to
herself-that he did not look like the
rest of Vaudeville.
! "Is this Mrs Yorker" asked the
man as she approached.
"It certainly IS" Acknowledged
Elizareth as she bowed before him.
"And this IL Mr.-Mayor-shallI call
lyou?"
the mayor as he met the piercing gaze
of the widow. IT came on a rather
unpleasant errend. You see, I receive
I.1r Sy,e nnyynu1n},<a ~ M tnvnan~or,aa