The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-17
THE EVENING STORY
Her Birthday GIT.
Ry Troy Allison.)

unexpected rusty summons and Mrs.
Jordan. engaged in putting the break
fast biscuits into the oven. tilted the
pan In her excitement until the care
fully cut forms slid down to one end
OF the pan. an avalanche OF dough.
Marietta, go answer that bell" She
thought Marietta had not noticed the
episode OF the biscuits, and she would
not Tor worlds have the girl think there
was vulnerable spot to her stoicism.
or that she owned to curiosity. IF it's
woman. don't let her In, for there
amt woman round here that hasn't
sense enough to know bettern to call
before breakfast
Marietta. without waiting for the end
OF the monologue, had opened the door.
Here's package for you." said the
man from the station, grinning, and
pointing to the small boy on the door
step. he's labeled to Mrs. Jordan, all
right"
The girl stared at the small figure in
establishment. I'm Ned and I'm a
hungry" he said, with no recognition
OF the need Of pauses or punctuation,
raising very blue eyes to meet hers
earnestly.
IT guess he'll have to come In said
the girl in bewilderment. II don't know
anything about him, but maybe Aunt
Ann does.'
Mrs. Jordan. waiting in the kitchen
door, gave gasp of terror when she
saw the small face under the leather
sailor cap. "Bobbiei" she whispered
family.
mo; I'm not named Bobbie. I'm Ned
die. grandma" the small hands chung
around her waist. Papa said you
would love me and be awfully glad to
see me-"
and took the child in her lap. 1t was
the first time she had ever been called
grandmother and she had never known
there was child.
When Robert Jordan went to the city
six years before to study bookkeeping,
OF the chorus girls belonging to the
'Froth and Foam Extravaganza" his
mothers Methodist principles had re-
fused to acknowledge that she any
longer had a son. His letters, unan-
swered. finally stopped altogether.
There had been no word from him, d.
rect or indirect, until this small boy
with the eyes and mouth Of her own
little Bobbie. called her grandmother.
IT never saw you before at ALL" he
said. softly patting her cheeks with the
cold little hands from which he had
removed the mittens. "but papa SAID
you would love me dearly, and that ev-
cry time you made cookies you would
make me a large cake shaped like
doggfe with currants for its eyes. VIII
you, SIduOIIlOluGI, PlcdS69
Mrs. Jordan trembled from head to
foot at the vision of another little boy
Of long ago watching her put the cur
rants in for eyes. She could fancy his
childish voice saying. Mind, muvver.
don't make him crosseyed."
Where Is your papa?" she asked,
unbuttoning the child's overcoat me-
chanically.
"Papa's gone away. He said he was
going to stay with mamma-and that
was to be your little boy. He sent
you a birthday letter in my overcoat
pocket. You do want me for your little
boy, don't your a
His childish mouth Quivered appre-
hensively at her continued silence.
She left the letter unopened while
she Rugged him suddenly to her breast.
Yes, I want you for my little boy. I
have wanted little boy for years and
years-so terribly long, she said,
crushing the words against his short.
curly hair.
Marietta, take the child upstairs
and wash his face and hands before
breakfast. He's all covered with train
DUST" she said. suddenly becoming
conscious that the young girl had been
standing silent in the kitchen door.
Left alone, she looked at the letter
long and silently. The years rolled
back-she seemed to feel with all the
intensity of her young motherhood.
She realized that the letter must tell
her that her son was dead. yet the
child, her child. seemed miraculously
restored to her.
Bringing her glasses from a corner
of the dining room mantel she opened
the letter.
1T shall not live to see your birth
day. mother, but little Ned will be with
you-and you can't help loving him.
His mother has been dead year. The
doctor says he will see that the boy
gets to you safely-and, mother-if
you will only love him and forget these
last few years
The woman leaned her head on the
table, and deep sobs convulsed her.
Marietta, coming down stairs with
an immaculate little boy by the hand.
saw through the front window some
one who caused her to run hastily to
the door.
"Come to the steps a minute. John"
she called softly. ST was afraid I
wouldn't get the chance to see you
today: I've determined to say yes
even If Aunt Ann doesn't give her con-
sent. She seems to have horror of
people getting married. It's getting
unbearable. I wanted her to say 1
might marry you-but I'll do 1t, any
way"
John Terry's strong hand closed on
hers convulsively.
"Will you wear veil and carry q
big bouQuet?" eagerly asked the child,
overlooked by them both.
The man laughed good naturedly.
Hello. youngster. where did you
come from? Yes. she can have the
veil and bouquet and maybe there will
be a long train that you can walk be-
hind and carry just like the picture of
the princess and her little page. But
who on earth are you, and when did
you strike this town."
I'm Ned Jordan, and my papa's
name is Robert Jordan. and I've come
to stay with grandma. and hope you |
are WE'LL the child answered with a |
polite timidity that caused him to rush |
through his explanations and wind up |
for lack of breath.
Terry gazed at the girl meaningly.
80? The old lady has relented at |
last has she 20