The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-07
THE EVENING STORY
How Wenzell Made Good.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)

sofa and looked at picture postal cards |
with Ann Rose. He was Well-dressed
youth with gorgeous hosiery displayed
above his low-cut shoes. His face was
ordinary and notable merely for its
shrewdness and a frequent display OF
gold-filled teeth. Ann Rose admired
him greatly. His position in city |
bank and his undoubted responsibility |
had much to do with his entrance into |
the Baker homestead.
Ann Rose Baker and Chester Laid |
law giggled over the postal cards until
Wenzell Beebe slid awkwardly into the |
back parlor and sat down beside Mrs. |
Baker. who nodded kindly at him.
shes all right" replied Wenzell, his
sunburned face turning a deeper red.
He was conscious that the city boarder
was discussing him win Ann Rose.
and her light laugh. instantly sup
pressed, rendered him still more UNI
comfortable.
You know Mr.. Laidlaw?" whisper
ed Mrs. Baker.
Wenzen nodded. IT met him here
the other night"
Hes awful smart-he's in bank"
said Mrs. Baker, Importantly.
Wenzell did not reply. He was try
ing to keep his eyes from the couple
on the sofa in the other room.
Ann Rose was watching him covert
w. She noted the new suit Of gray
clothes, the light blue, satin necktie
and his large brown hands Her glance
wandered to the youth at her side with
his air of easy assurance, and down at
his slim white hands playing with the
postals She twisted Wenzells little
turquoise ring from the third finger OF
her left hand and transferred it to the
other hand. Then she few over to the
piano and ratified the keys noisily.
"Come, sing something, Mr.. Laid
law" she suggested, ga1ly.
a id nleaSed to sing ana
he and Ann Rose turned the pages OF
a book of old love songs, and when
their voices blended in unison, Wen
zelrs hands tightly cienched the SIDES
of his chair and his lips whitened.
"I come to take Ann Rose out rid
ing" he said sullenly. to his future
mother-in-law.
Mrs. Baker glanced apprehensively
at him over her spectacles. Ann
Rose! here's Wenzell a-setting here
waiting for you to go riding with
him." she called.
The music ceased abruptly and Ann
Rose appeared in the doorway, de-
murely pretty In her white dress with
The boarder lounged behind her.
at saw you come in, Wenzell-but 1
forgot all about you, she said with
coquettish glance at Mr.. Laidlaw. III
be ready in a minute.
WenzeIl Beebe nodded awwardly at
the boarder and taking his hat went
ont of the side door to the shed, where
he had tied his horse. He backed the
buggy into the driveway and waited
patiently until Ann Rose came re-
luctantly out. Silently ne assls.eo ner
The big black horse carried them
easily out of the yard and into green
shaded road where the settlng sun
poured sitting golden streams through
the branches. When they reached a
Y,nintad
his whip to the horizon where low
rim of black clouds stained the yeuo"
light.
"Rain tonight" he said. speaking
for the first time
He's over to town and he didn't get II
ali in" said Ann Rose lazily. She was
thinking of what Chester Laidlaw had
said about her eyes. and at that IN
slant they were very prlgnt.
left hand and then extended the other
with a shame-faced smile. Il changed
it for fun" she faltered.
saThen YOU amt ashamed OF IT.!
asked Wenzell slowly; and as she
made no reply, he added. with q
fnrtive glance at Ann Rose: II reckon
that Laidlaw fellow could hand out
diamonds and such-they say he's
spender!"
Ann Rose shrugged her shoulders
DettlSnlY, neI udI Eyes SCSAAAA.9 -
| iy built cottage that crowned httie
IT thought maybe you'd like to look
at ii. Ann Rose" said Wenzell In q
softer tone. Jim Putney has ie, s
want you to choose what you ike.
'Mr. Laildaw says we out to nave
cartridge paper in the parlor, oD-
served Ann Rose carelessiy, as wen
cell helped her down before the gate;
s'Laidlaw! Has he been here! de-
manded Wenzell savagely.
The girl laughed uneasily. we
walked over last night-in the moon
light told him about it being ours
we peeked in the windows she e1-
planned.
ST guess we won't pick out any pa
per tonight" said Wenzell deliberate
| ": "you better get in and III take you
home. Maybe you have an engage
ment to play croquet with the BOARD
er!" .
They drove home in silence, and 1t
was not until the black horse turned In
| at the gate that Wenzell spoke again;
then his voice was hoarse and rough
with emotion.
ST amt got the style of that bank
fellow. Ann Rose, but you liked me
frst-so-I won't stand in the way.
you've acted different ever since he's
been here. / may be slow, but under
neath-I won't stand much fooling:
You know I think a signt OF you
| His voice failed.
"You must have wanted to pick
quarrel to get mad over such little
thing as his looking at our house
| and here's your ring, Wenzell Beebe-
Mr.. Laidlaw is a gentleman. anyway!
| She thrust the ring into his unwilling
hand and sprang from the carriage
before he could lend her assistance
All that evening Ann Rose hirted
desperately with Chester Laidlaw;
Mrs. Baker looked on in stern disap-
prevail and when bedtime came she
dreu her daughter aside: what do
| vo,, mean. Ann Rose, a-cutting up
with the boarder? where's Wenzell?
7 thought he was going to stay to tea 2
'Wenzell is a slow poke-and L