The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-16
THE EVENING STORY
The Matchmaker.
(By Martha G. Sanford


Katherine opened her eyes with q
start and looked over the edge OF the
hammock. Below her. on the green
velvety grass, sat a two-year-oid papy'
wrinkling up his chubby face and let
ting out little gurgles OF laughter.
"Oh. know your joke. young
man." she laughed back at him. You
kissed Katha. didn't you. and woke
her up? Now come here, you rogue
and I'll pay you back In your own
precious COIN"
Without any pretense OF denial or
defense. young Reginald allowed him
self to be gathered up into a shape
less, dimpled mass, squeezed, shaken
out and spanked. Suddenly, waving
the conventionality Of announcement,
a man interrupted this glorious game
of retribution. In a flash Reginald
turned states evidence.
pointing an accusing finger at the
approaching interloper.
why, no, Reginald" Katherine
demonstrated hastily. man didn't say
anything Of the kind"
kiss Katha-man." transposeo
Reginald with conviction.
At this Katherine sat up straight
and forbidding.
"Mr. Kingsley" she began. and her
tone was very chilling, will you be
good enough to carry Reginald into
the house and then come back again
1 have something to say to YOU"
'.Sure, Katherine" asserted Jack
Kingsley. his natural Iight-hearted-
ness quite unabashed at the hint OF
an impending reprimand- III pc
back so soon you'll never miss me-.
When Jack returned Katherine still
visibly crushed as her hlmy summer
frock-
IT wouldn't have believed 1t Of
you, Jack" she said disconsolately.
believed what. Katherine? 2"
THAT you'd do what the baby
said"
kiss you?" he asked bluntly.
Take such an advantage Of me;
kiss me when / was asleep. diner
entiated Katherine ingenuously.
But 1 didn't
Katherine looked at him search
ingly.
but Reginald said
IT realize" interrupted Jack with
good-natured sarcasm. that COM
pared with whatever that two-year-
old prodigy may say any words Oh
"Just the same" broke in Rather
Inc, cit wouldn't be the first time that
truth has come out OF the mouth OF
babes"
Jack laughed appreciatively. but
Katherine maintained an injured
silence.
ut couldn't have been the baby"
she announced at length. as II thinking
aloud. He isn't tall enough But I'm
determined to find out who it was"
What will you do to him. asked
Jack. Punish him as you did the
baby?
Katherine very properly ignored the
suggestion. but Jack was undaunted.
You're sure 1t was MANI" ne
asked nonchalantly.
why, of course, 1t was" flashed
Katherine scornfully. who else would
Exactly" Jack agreed. who elsa
would?
Katherine made a desperate effort to
keep back the tears Of vexation, ana
succeeded to a very commendable de-
gree. One or two, however, refused to
be kept within bounds. She made
Quick little dab at them with her
handkerchief. hoping Jack did not
notice.
"Tell me all about It," he urged SYM
pathetically. You haven't given me
a very definite idea Of what really
happened yet"
explained Katherine. as II the details
bored her (Which they did not), and
woke up suddenly. Some one had
kissed me. I thought 1t was the baby
the villain?'
Reginald a villain" exclaimed Jack,
with feigned establishment.
You know whom 1 mean" answer
ed Katherine, unresponsive to any
humor in the situation.
mo. really I don't. Whom do you
mean?"
1.-The person who kissed me-" Kath-
crime replied, blushing over the una
voidabIe badness of the admission.
oh commented Jack placidly.
We'll, granted 1t was man, would
you recognize it second time? That
is, il you had your eyes closed, and
the same man kissed you again. could
you Identify the kiss do you think?"
How perfectly horrid Of you to sug-
gest such a thingr accused Katherine.
You don't consider my feelings in the
least. Just like you brutal. cold
blooded lawyers, you can't be human
II you try"
In spite of his effort at control the
berated young attorney burst out
laughing. 1t was a most unfortunate
thing for him to have done. for I'M
mediately Katherine buried her face in
the hammock cushions and began sob |
bling convulsfvely.
Jack watched her perplexedly. She |
loked very appealing in her graceful
one thing to do-and he did it.
Katherine was on her feet in an in |
slant, her cheeks tear-stained and
flushed with Indignation.
$50 1t was you the first time after |
all, Jack Kingsley" she exclaimed. II
think you're too contemplate for words. |
You're a thief and a-and you don't tell
the truth and"
Not so fast, not so fast" begged |
Jack gently. IT really wasn't the first |
one, Katherine. upon my honor, |
"wel what in Cupid's name are Won
two Quarreling about?" called Bill |
Heming from the near background. |
Cant an unmarried man-pardon me, |
I should have said an ineligible man.
find one undisturbed spot In this by
meneal garden? Just passed two other |
lovers down the path who seemed to |
be a bit out of tune 1t must be the |