The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-16
THE EVENING STORY
circles and Circumstances.
(By Belle Maniates.)


but zigzag line of many tacks which,
unied. make straight line, so the re-
tribution of syria Greenbury was
wrought by self-evolving circles. The
first infinitesimaI ring was the acoui-
sition of sutton by Molly Greenbury,
and all the unwritten laws of courtship
yielded to the lovers the exclusive
use of the front porch
me only member of the Greenbury
household actually disconnected by
TINS arrangement was syria himself
His worthy spouse chung to the inside
OF the house day and night.
Just as lief set back as front"
phlloSophically remarked Syria as he
betook himself to the back porch.
He grumbled. however, over his linn
receptacle for the ice box, washing
machine, plant stand, lawn mower and
Spr1nkl1ng pot. His wife renewed her
hopes of his building the long desired,
long-deferred summer kitchen, q struc-
ture syria considered superfluous.
Towards midsummer his place OF
pipe was again invaded. Kitty Green
bury, the third daughter. became the
proud possessor of q Steady who,
plainly, meant business. So did Kitty.
Willing to be relieved from the sup
port of at least one of his daughters,
syria stood ready to remove all OBJ
stacles from the path of true love.
You can have the side porch, Kit
ty,'' he offered.
There amt no room for two
chairs" objected Kitty.
Il guess one chair will do was the
laconic reply.
1--WE amt going to be cooped up by
all that stuff declared tart-tempered
Kitty. 81 am going to swing a ham
mock"
Guess you will have to build, Sy,"
suggested his wife.
The next dav the delivery of a load
of lumber brought joy to the heart
came home that night he began the
erection of his building down on the
river bank
For lands sakes, what are you go
ing to build a summer kitchen down
there for?" demanded Mrs. Greenbury.
This amt no summer kitchen. It's
going to be a place for me-just me
and 1 amt going to be rooted out by
any feller.'
Work was begun in earnest. Kitty's
steady took off his coat and fell to
work. The building when completed
consisted of one apartment and was
adorned by spacious "stoop," which
faced the river. Molly and her lover
resumed possession of the front porch
and Kitty adorned her precincts with
hammock and porch pillows.
Mary, the eldest daughter, Stunned
the moonlight which invoked memoir
les too sweetly sad. But on the day
the new building was completed she
became active for the first time in
months. When Syria came home at
night and went out to inspect the pride
ton of delight. Blue and white rugs
were on the floor, filmy curtains fes-
TONED the windows, Syra's- two favor
lite pictures, a portrait of Lincoln and
death warrant, adorned the walls. A
long table covered with gay scarf
was strewn with the weekly and BIZ
weekly papers. A couch, easy chair, a
re- rafo 01n mir al rh
matches constituted the furnishings.
Say, Mary, even if I did build it
just for me, it's always open to you,"
declared SYRIA.
She took him at his word and fell
into the habit of sitting out there in
the evening with her father. She was
Syra's faVorite daughter, and they
spent many an evening there in silence,
through the low-hanging boughs at
the moonpath on the waters. He was
guilty. conscious of her thoughts, for
he had put the bitter into the sweet.
He had engaged in a fierce dispute
over politics with George Winters and
had ordered him from the house
George had then urged Mary to con-
slider herself baniShed also and come
to home of their own. Mary, sad but
dutiful, would not consent. Winters
temper was tempestuous, and the angry
young lover left town, sending Mary
word that she or the "old man" must
make the next move. The three, re-
manned firm in their silence. One faint
glimmer of hope remained with Mary.
The long ice-bound winter that fol-
lowed brought no encouragement to
this hope.
In the early spring everything
POUNDS it's serene and sluggish way
past the Greenbury domicile received
the accumulation of snow and ice
Heavy rains added new impetus, and
he hRCRn a
rapid and noisy. One morning it leap
ed UP the bank and beat at the walls
of Syra's little retreat The Green
burys began the work of transferring
the furnishings from the little sum-
mer house.
II am glad the house is so far from
the river" observed Mrs. Greenbury,
as the river rose to the level of the
yard.
Mary's watchful eyes filled with
tears. as she slipped out for last fare
well to the doomed little place. The
young GreenburyS reluctantly departed
for school, and syria, who had deemed
it wise to remain at home and guard
his fortress, was doing some carpentry
work when he heard a warning shout
from neighbor. He rushed into the
yard in time to see the waters circle
about the little structure and sweep it
down the stream.
MARY is in there cried his wife
wringing her hands.
In confederation of this prediction
Mary came out on the porch of the
little house as it went around the bend
in the river. syria rushed around the
bank until he came to a boat He leap
ed into the boat and showed off His
little craft was whirled through the
waters and around the bend of the
river Then he saw the smokehouse
some distance ahead. Syra's progress
was impeded by congestion of drift
wood through which he desperately
pushed his boat. When he rushed
down stream again the house was far
in the lead.