The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-26

country born and they hated the
crowded streets.
He now felt that these visits meant
little on either side. He had been too
preoccupied for the dear, old, intimate
companionship once his with his
mother.
The girls voice had brought all that
back to him, and as the train dashed
through the night he smiled softly to
himself and planned his arrival at
home.
was the first train out. A word to the
obsequious conductor, and the en-
gineer was instructed to stop at Tru-
mansburg.
after midnight, the train paused just
long enough for the single passenger
to drop to the platform.
But there was a light in the post
office across the road from the depot
and presently man came out to take
the mail bag flung off by the mes
sengerS.
"That train stop here?" he asked
incredulously of Christy.
For a moment" was the amused
response. do you know where 1 can
get a bed this time of night?'
The mail carrier regarded him with
disdain. "Of course he said loftily.
''This town amt so small that it
get into the Liberty house-if you
ring loud enough. It's two blocks
north-one east"
But there was no need of ringing
A dance was in progress and Christy
was able to obtain room without de-
lay. Before the narrow glass in the
old-fashioned bureau he realized for
the first time the absurdity of his
travelling costume.
In the morning he hunted up the
residence of one of the clothing store
proprietors and induced him to open
his store. Here he selected an outfit
less conspicuous than his wedding
guest attire and of the sort he had
once regarded as the last word of
elegance.
Now he smiled over the pepper
and salt sack suit, the plaid tie, the
soft felt hat and the cowhide shoes,
but when the change had been made
and Christy regarded himself in the
glass, he felt well pleased. He might
have been living on the farm all his
life.
He lighted cigar and strolled over
to the church. He knew that the
family celebration always started with
the morning service. while the most
dependable grandchild remained at
the fire up.
He had not long to walt before the
old farm wagon drove up, and it was
Christy who helped his mother out
and kissed the withered cheek as he
held her in his arms for an in
slant.
The old lady looked up in surprise
then, with a glad little cry, she threw
her arms about his neck.
ct didn't recognize you-you looked
so like one of US, Howard" she said
tremblingly.
''That's what I'm thankful for. I
can still be one of you," he answered,
and he told himself that the losses
he would have to stand on the deals
that would suffer in his absence were
well repaid by the look of delight in
his mothers eyes.
He had thought that the school girls
anything he had ever heard. but 1t was
discordant compared to his mothers
voice as she spoke his name.
They slipped quietly into the church, |
cheap suit was the "Christy boy of
whom they had heard so much and seen
nothing.
They set him down as one of the dis |
Nan copeland. seeing with the eyes of
her heart, could tell that 1t was the |
much talked-of millionaire.
1t was Nan whom Christy sought |
when the short service of prayer was
done. She laid her hand timidly in his,
but her eyes spoke her welcome.
What in the world brings you here?'
she asked in surprise. I'VE thought |
that you had forgotten Trumans-
burg"
81 came to see my mother-and you"
he answered in a whisper. II thought |
it was only mother. Nan. but when I
saw you realized that there were two
persons had come to see. Is there any |
chance for me?
For a moment the girl was silent |
once she had dreamed dreams Of home
in which she and Howard Christy |
should live happily ever after
Then he had made his first scoop in |
wall street, and after that there was
no time for thoughts of love on Chris
tvs part. The correspondence dwindled
down and died. Now he seemed to have
reverted to the Howard Christy she had
always loved.
.aThere may be a chance-!n time"
she admitted.
you don't need to add that last" he
said hunbly. 1T didn't suppose that
Won were going to fall on my neck, just
because I came back and asked you
but if there isn't any one else I'm go-i