The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-26
THE EVENING STORY

lBy Annette Dumois. !

Ny annette Dumois.)
It's kind of lonesome since pa
my mind to Silas,. some way
Inc speaker had worried look in
ner bright blue eyes as she dropped
a Iresn batch of doughnuts into the
fry-kettle. saying. Just six an no
fat" 0ooA
our doughnuts cert'nly do come
out Jest right, Sophrony," said the lit
tie dressmaker, as she snapped her
thread with twist of her finger
so fast since 1 got these store teeth
an cant bite off my thread any more.
Slias is forehanded and well-meanin',
though he int as handsome as
some"
"oh, I don't mind red hair, my
SILL Sh,,t s,eepiied Sophrony amiably,
1t. ITS time you was getting settled
persisted the dressmaker, you never
was cut out for an old maid"
c, Sns eyed EYED sophrony's comfortable
you're 80. come August; you was
born the day our Betsy had them
twin calves-dretful cute little crit
ters they was-one had a white ring
around his eye. Now, if you was lit
proper old maid"
Her black eyes twinkled behind the
nold-bowed specs as she continued,
L amt never felt the loss of man
yet-he'd be sure to want the rocker
Jest when Marcus Aurelius had to
hev it." Marcus was the spoiled An
gora-) ST calkerlate I've he'd two
chances-though, leastways, one of
EN- was an out-an-outer. the other
was a seafaring nan, SO don't know.
No! Sophrony, I've ct two already"
declining the tempting circles, but
l might take drop more tea. Too
bad Sam Jenkins got stove up so,''
she said. with a sharp side glance at
the girl.
She gave a satisfied nod as the rich
red famed in Sophrony's cheeks.
Who'd "a thought that pillow would
strike dynamite in his old ten-acre
lot? Nobody knows how it come
there. neither; he was such likely
young Teller. an dretful handsome
His face amt hurt none,' inter-
rupted Sophrony, rafting the stove
covers aimlessly.
"They say when he gets them new
tangled legs with joints he'll be as
gers. Lucky twas the left hand, say
I. Didn't he ulster come over here
lot?" questioned Miss Perkins.
"Yes-for quite SPELL Sophrony
turned around and allowed the tears
to roll over her plump cheeks with
out any pretense. That's why / can't
make up my mind to silas. I guess.
But woman can do nothing, and
Sans sort of backward"
MY grief, I should say so! When
a man couldn't get up spunk to ask
a girl till she's most thirty"
HE knew I wouldn't leave pa" ex-
cused Sophrony. 81 went over to In
quire. but Mary Jane said he would
not let anybody inside the house"
dressmaker. "I kind of mistrusted
how things was" she sympathized,
'but he's jest sensitive, that's what.
Likely he says to himself: 4 amt
got no right ter ask any woman to tie
up to a one-legger.
I'D rather have Sam with one leg
than any other body with two" half
sobbed Sophrony. ooh, Miss Perkins,
it does me a sight of good to speak
out. I've just been bottled up till it
seems as If should bust"
There, there, Sophrony; you jest
think reel hard that things is goin'
to come out right an they're bound
to. I've been reading some OF the
new thought papers lately, an there's
a heap o. comfort in EN- Why don't
you send him a picture card 2" she
asked, suddenly.
"Mebbe I might" said the girl,
doubtfully.
you jest send him a pretty. one,
an Wen see," said the little dress
, maker. DIS SHE put OlA iiCk
merry widow"
Some way, I feel a heap better
than when you came, Miss Perkins.
Everybody says you're the village
comfort, anyway" Sophrony. II wish
I had your pompadour-you keep
your hair wonderful we'll" gazing ad-
miringly at the wavy gray hair.
Nonsense" with a pleased flush,
however 1.-THE Perkinses all have
good heads O. hair! runs in some fam
lilies, I guess
II know Just what she'll pick out"
soliloauized the spinster on her way
home Something with hearts. an
a pagoda with doves in 1t. That amt
what a man wants who's all stove up
an got the grumps;. l will. l vum!
steps to the village emporium"
where she carefully scanned the stock
of cards. Finally her eye lighted on
the picture of the "Ministering An
GEL" ITS ject the ticket, she chuck
led On a f1owery couch reclined
young man, and young woman was
offering him a plate of most impos-
sible looking fruit with an air of ten
der solicitude. The motto read:
81 fain would soothe thy wearied
With all woman's powers.
TITS woman's place to serve and |
wait
Upon a loving mate"
Miss Perkins wrote something on |
the card. and firmly affixed a one
cent stamp.
There, I guess that'll set him to |
thinking, anyway"
After tea Sophrony sat by the win
dow knitting in the dusk, when she
saw Mary Jane going into a neigh
boris.
s'She won't get away from there
for an hour. Miss Parks is an ever
lasting talker," commented sophrony.
1--WE a half mind to run over an in
quire, Just neighborly like; he might
be in the sittin' room with LOUSY"
With fast-beating heart, the girl /
whipped her best pink shawl around
her and started out. Sure enough,
Sam was in the easy chair with his
crutches on the floor beside him. and