The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-15
The EVENING STORY
A Pudding in Distress.
[By Fannie Medbury Pendleto,

| ed by little, old lady, over whom he
nearly stumbled and who wildly cIntcho
ed his arm.
She was very much out of breath and
her hair had blown free from her bon-
net, until the stray locks stood out in
the Wlntry wind like a silver halo
on, she cried breathlessIy, my
granddaughter has forgotten the Christ
mas pudding. She's on the train Win
you please give it to her? Her names
on the wrapper
Cartwright mechanically accepted the
pudolns thus thrust upon him
iously. -o-' e'iiA
Cartwright nodded as he clutched the
raIilng OF the last car and pulled him
sen up: AS the train swept around the
curve ne caught last glimpse of her
race. Her eyes were fixed upon the
package under his arm
actually believe she thinks I want
her old pudding grinned Cartwright.
She doesn't trust me-"
Inc train, which was the last local
for the city, was crowded with would
pc shoppers, with homegoers and guests
pouno cltyWard- Every seat was occu-
pied: AT last Cartwright found a place
beside young woman, who obligingly
made room for him. and Immediately
resumed the study Of the snowy land
rushing.
Cartwright glanced casually at her
voluminous brown veil, then his eyes
fell to the travelling pudding, and he
turned over the package to find the
name.
1t was written in a fine, old-fashioned
hand and read, Mary Lang, 1913 Es-
sex place."
and babe fair to develop into a scowl !
when he became conscious that the gaze
of the girl was fixed likewise upon the |
package.
"PardOn mo ba oriad ;ra1,,le;,,o1,,
you don't happen to be Miss Mary |
Lang, do your"
The girl turned a very pretty and |
astonished face toward him.
You see," he continued eagerly, "I |
don't know soul at the station where |
1 got Unchanged cars there, and near
ly got left. Just as 1 was making for |
the train, lady requested me to de-
planned, impressiveIy, land, from the
evident value set upon it by the maker,
judge that it is good one and that
my responsibility is vast
There was a responsive twinkle in
the girls eye.
Sorry I can't help you out" she
said. why not ask the conductor? He
will know who got on at that station.
catch the train, and I didn't notice my
fellow passengers.
Tickets, please"
Say, conductor" cried Cartwright,
Junction. and he explained the
problem of the pudding.
The conductor grinned.
There was the lady two seats
glasses
Cartwright inspected her with com
C dismay.
I'm a shy man." he announced.
and if it be she, perhaps you had bet :
er tackle her. conductor. I don't want
he job" ,
"Wen, there's the fat lady in the
Yellow waist with buttons, and the girl !
n the front seat, and the family just
behind and
you don't know even if she's grown
Up, do you?" queried the girl, who
lad become quite interested in the
That's So assented Cartwright
.uefully. But I feel by the pricking
If my thumbs that she's homely as a
hedge fence, cross-eyed and at least !
ifty"
THAT may not interfere with her :
appetite for plum pudding" suggested {
he girl mirthfully. She had put back
he enveloping brown veil, and her
lark eyes gazed straight into Cart {
vright's. $
IT wish you were Mary Lang" he t
aid with decision.
I'm very we'll satisfied as I am"
he answered, dropping her eyes de-
nurely. q
The conductor had returned.
Lend me the precious pudding" +
lie suggested. "Guess I can help you b
ut II
He walked to the front of the car
''Is there a lady in this car by the h
anne of Mary Lang??" he shouted '
bove the roar of the train.
There was much turning of heads, y
ut no response. The conductor dis c
ppeared into the car ahead, while
wiped imaginary drops of
respiration from his forehead. n
"This suspense is AWFUL he OBJ 4
erved. With hands clasped drama s
cally he awaited the outcome. "
The door opened. giggle came t.
rom the girl and a groan from Cart c
right, as the conductor returned.
caring before him the pudding-still
nclaimed. He dropped it into Cart s. s.
rights hand. "
"Sorry," he chuckled, "but there's q
obody on the train who will own to 2,
eing Mary Lang, and thus become
1e proud possessor of the pudding"
cit is not a pudding declared
resentfully. TITS an old
ian of the sea-" and he leaned back,
18th the look of a martyr. The girl Al
atched him with twitching lips. -
There is the address," she sug- &c
ested. "You can send it when you
Zach the city, ar
but 1 promised said Cartwright
'T promised the woman to pc
re it delivered in person; and now it
my fate to go on still hunt for 10
IFS horrible woman-this gorgon.
m very much afraid that Maud w
dinner will be late if she us
ats for me"-he added the last -
q,
ooh" said the girl sympathetically.
STILL" she continued, 1.-The poor fe-
oman is probably mourning the loss tn
her pudding and you can figure as s
% restorer of happiness. She is on
xely one of these timid souls and we
lpSf tn har
have it-she is probably deaf and ra
dnt near tne conouctor. be