The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-09
The EVENING STORY
Fixing. Things for Arthur.
(By Henry Berlingoff.l

after Irma Shelby, and Dick, his small
orother, glanced up s1rrewdly into his
Clean-cut face.
"Mushy," he asked shrewdlv aswhv
don't you marry her?"
You scamp" began Arthur, then he
paused; DICK was only, IL. but more
the thatch OF red hair had helped the
big brother through tight place.
wish knew her, old chap" he
went on in a different voice. I'm not
mus1ly, but-well, you know how it is
yourself l can't very well force my
se!f on her, and when we have no
women folks to call on her don't see
how we are going to make it,
'"They certainly are hard folks to
get next to-" admitted Dick. They've
peen mere a month and two days now,
and even gabby Mrs. Pitkin can't get
In with them. guess there isn't any
US men,"
Arthur smiled at the phrase Gus
men, but, after all, Dick was one of
the three who had been very lonely in
the big house since Mrs. Lynwood had
answered the call of the great beyond,
so with an affectionate pat on the back
ana brisk, Never mind, old fellow"
Arthur watched Dick turn into the
school yard
Dick swung round suddenly after
Arthur and tugged at his coat sleeve
Don't worry until I see what can
do for you," he commanded, then turn
ed and sped back as the last bell was
ringing.
The promise cheered Arthur oddly.
be trusted to bring about even this
coveted acquaintance If it could pos
sibly be done,
The Shelbys had kept very much to
themselves since they had come to
town. Inquiring busybodies had been
told by the maid that Mrs. Shelby was
too i'll to receive callers as yet.
She begged to be excused for a few
VF~nC H.. A.
discovered that her name was Irma-
had shared her mothers seclusion.
Despite his confidence in Dick, Ar
thur was rather surprised that even
ing when Miss Shelby came running
out of the house as he passed. Evil
IDENTIFY she had been watching for him
and Arthur paused uncertainty as she
reached the gate.
You are Mr.. Dynwood?" she said
With questioning infection.
"And you are Miss Shelby?" he re-
turned. II am at your service"
Its about your brother-and my
brother, she began in pretty embar-
rassment. 'It seems that your broth
er made an entirely unprovoked at
tack upon mine after school this after
noon. Poor Robert was badly treated
He is not accustomed to mixing with
boyS-and he knows little about fight
ing. I understand that your brother
promised him another thrashing to-
morrow
Il shall speak to Dick this even
Ing" promised Arthur, but just as he
gave the assurance Dick came tearing
out of the Lynwood house and Arthur
called him across the street.
He came promptly, for Dick was not
boy to shirk responsibilities. He re-
garded Irma with mild amusement
as Arthur repeated her statement
He started it," insisted Dick stout
~. Il guess no fellows going to hear
his brother called names, Your
No Cli min
pretty boy. and Art amt that. It's
different being just good locking
Never mind that" ordered Arthur
hastily. THAT is no excuse for you to
hit him."
THAT wasn't at ALL" supplemented
Dick. HE called you big stiff, and
said that If you had any get up and get
about you, you'd get married and give
being lonely, and told him that there
wasn't anybody good enough for you
and he said anybody was good enough
for you, and then damned him a good
much Of fight, though" he added
with contempt. 'I had to chase him
four blocks to get in one punch"
do you understand that you will be
Shelby again?' demanded Arthur seri-
ously.
I'm lick him if he talks about YOU"
declared Dick truculehtly. He then
ARTS Just the best ever" he ex-
planned. Ever since mother died he's
done everything for me, and I amt go
ing, to have any boy call him names
and say that any girl is good enough
for him to marry. When he marries
want him to marry top-notcher like
you
praise and its suggestion, but she |
smiled into the freckled face before she |
turned to Arthur.
II shall see that Robert is punished |
If he repeats his offense," she promised, |
land I don't blame such a loyal little |
hero worshipper for defending his big |
brother. l don't blame him one bit"
she added, coloring again, as she let |
grave, handsome face "I shall be glad |
to see you should you care to be neigh |
borly Mr.. Lynwood. Mother is i'm |
proving. but she wishes to be stronger
before she faces the influx of the kind |
ly-and the curious
ct shall be glad to run in this even |
ing. if I may" was the quick response,
and Arthur was too eager for an an
with which Dick favored him.
The girl gave assent promptly and
the big and little brother bowed. Dick
hung back at the Lynwood gate.
''I got something to do" he explained
You were late this even=
ing. You always come home about five"
"a client came in at the last mo-
nent. Were you waiting to see me?
only about an hour" answered Dick.
Il figured she would lay for you at the
gate, and-I wanted to finish off the job.
I'll be home in about an hour. Art"
He dashed off down the street and by
d circuitous route reached the rear of
The Shelby house. where the plump and
somewhat cherubic Robert was playing
oy himself.
He started to run when Dick appeared
IN the scene. but the more active lad