The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-02
HE EVENING STORY
Words to the Wise.
(By Gertrude Lewis.


disliked her as much as her husband
did.
: They had welcomed the change in
Ben's business affairs which required
boarded the train that was to take
them on the first stage of their jour-
ney. Lefty breathed a little sigh of
relief
81 suppose it's wicked" she said
softly, "but I wish we were going to
''whet's the use ?" asked Ben with
a laugh. "She would follow us out
there. The last thing she said was
that if you grew homesick to wire a
ticket; and she would come out at
Lefty sat up veery straight in her
seat.
ben Melville" she warned impress
siveiy, eff you ever dare to send such
a message I'll never speak to you
again"
81 won't" he promised. teasingly,
unless you need punishment"
Thereafter impending quarrels were
checked when Ben irrelevantly inquir-
handy. The threatened trouble al
ways ended in a laugh.
The first six months of California
life seemed like a dream, SO difterent
was everything from what 1t had
been in the east. A flower garden that
bloomed all the year was new to the
little New England girl, and Wah Ling,
once his oriental makeup was mas
tered, was like a gift of the gods. At
ter a quick succession of raw immi-
grants of all nationalities the China
man was a revelation.
Silent-footed, competent and scru-
pulouSly neat, Wah Ling was great
relief to the little housekeeper, ana
Melville declared his home to be a
paradise with a $40 a month angel in
charge.
Then the blow fell Lettv met her
husband at the door of their little
home with an expression on her face
that filled him with alarm.
whats wrong, little woman 2" ne
asked anxiously. SIS it bad. dear
at couldn't be worse" she sobbed,
as he gathered her into his arms. Mrs.
Mook's coming?"
"I know that she's your stepmother,
darling, but that doesn't entitle her to
come out here and make life miserable.
I should not think that she would want
to. You don't even call her mother.
"She does't mind a little thing ike
that" sobbed Lefty. "She writes that
the doctor says that her lungs are
weak and that six months in the mild
California air is just what she needs.
She's coming to stay with us because
dad can't afford to send her out here
and pay her board, too"
wire her not to come" repeated
Ben, sternly, but Lefty shook her
1--WE can't" she walled. "she started
the day after she mailed this, ana
she'll be here tomorrow"
"Then We'll have to make the best
of it." said Ben. with the peculiar
tightening of his lips that marked his
displeasure. Perhaps we may find
Let's hav dinner. The situation will
look better after we have had some
thing to eat"
ing did not bring the customary sense
of contentment, though he had done
his best because he had seen that MS
mistress was worried.
He moved about the dining room in
his spotless white costume ike some
accomplished ghost. and took dis
like to the new guest before he had
seen her because she had made the
mistress cry.
But his dislike became personal
,1hen he entered the dining room the
following afternoon. Mrs. Nook had
arrived only a half hour before and
she had not been apprised OF the en-
1.-THE persons in his night Clothes.
she cried, cycling Wah Ling's snowy
garments with disfavor- MY dear
Lefty, your father wears those things
to sleep in"
att is the native costume" explained
Lefty. cit is very cool and comfort
able.'
"It's indecent" commented Mrs.
Nook, and Wah Ling scowled. "a
A melancholy trio sat on the piazza
that evening in the soft dusk. heavy
with the scent of flowers. Mrs. Nook
found fault with everything, and an
nounced that on the morrow she
would readjust the household affairs
Lefty sought to make reply, but a
n;rx her arm caused
her to remain silent, and not until MRS;
Nook announced herself ready for bed
was the riddle explained.
Immediately after breakfast Mrs
reform would start in the kitchen.
Mrs. Melville drew back
"You mustn't go in there" she cried.
Tell Wah Ling what you want done
and he will do it perfectly, but the
Chinese boys will not stand for any
supervision"
"Thats all nonsense" declared Mrs.
Nook militantly. HE can ride rough
shod over you, but he'll find he has
someone else to deal with now"
With majestic mein she strobe into
the immaculate kitchen. Wah Ling
looked up inquiringly from the chick
en- he was disjointing with Ratchet.
Mrs Nook gave cry OF disapproval.
You mustn't do 1t that way" she
was maila?" asked wah.
"Get a knife" commanded Mrs.
Nook that's the proper way"
''Ve1Iy good way" commented Wah
serenely. as he severed a wing from
the body.
Do as tell you, you impertinent
heathen," cried the exasperated Mrs.
Nook. ct am going to take charge
of this kitchen, and things must be
done as a Christian does them. Mrs.
Melville has been too easy with you.
You will find that I am not so easily
imposed upon. Get a knife and cuI
the chicken with that"
Wah dropped the chicken and with
docility that brought a smile of trl-
umph to Mrs. Mook's face, he trotted
over to the cupboard and procured
knife with an eighteen-inch blade.
you get out here" he commanded.