The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-01
The EVENING STORY
The Man Who called.
(By Temple Bailey.)

SILVER urn LOT COIlee, plate OF ltll1
sandwiches and one of cake.
mo one receives on New Years day
any more" Adelaide leaned back in a
stiff mahogany chair and unfastened
her sable collar. Her tone was top
lofty. Ever since her marriage with
wealthy broker she had adopted an
air of superiority toward her former
school friend.
Mother can't get over the old
ways" Marion said, quietly, "she can't
see why we should not offer hospital
ity here in this tucked-up fiat, as well
as in our home down SOUTH
We'll, your rooms look lovely"
Adelaide was pleased to be gracious.
Marion smiled YEARLY. But
there's no one to CALL" she stated,
I'VE haven't made any friends since
we came to the city. Oh, Adelaide,
miss the pines, the old friends, the
fireplace. the love of my own people. -
her beautiful face was Swallowed.
Il would send my husband
Adelaide said, but he will be out of
town. Perhaps some one will drop
in
There's no one to drop in" Marion
murmured, land mother will be so
Disappointed
dolph," Adelaide reminded her hostess.
you might have had everything in
stead of painting dinner cards and
living on limited income
Marion flung up her head. That's
past history she said.
But after Adelaide had gone,
Marion stood looking out of the win
dow at the snowy, blowy streets, and
her thoughts went back to the last
New Years day in her old home-to
Carter Randolph as he bent over her
and told her how he liked to see her
in white and silver. with his violets at
her belt.
After that she had worn black and
had been faded and tired with the shock
of her fathers death and her loss of
home and fOrtune-and in all that
dreary time Carter Randolph had
stayed away.
the other room, and the girl went in to
be met with querulous, why don't
some one call?''
I'VE know so few people," Marion
settled herself in a low chair beside her
mother and took the latter's fragile
hands in hers, but some one may look
us up, motherie."
Il don't see why you say that" Mrs.
Page stated, surely we ought to have
some friends here, Marion
IF we were rich Marion began
bitterly, then stopped and kissed the
complaining little woman. eff some one
doesn't come presently, I'm going to
bed
You should have married Carter
Randolph her mother said, then We
could have lived in the old styIe-I
never could understand why you re-
fused him, Marion
For a moment there was dead
silence, then Marion came out with the
truth. HE did not ask me. mother
she said, bravely, The went away be-
fore father died and did not ask me"
And when the last difficult word had
been said she broke down and cried,
.I~..-
ed over her as only a mother can.
Then when they had talked for
long time in the twilight, the bell rang.
ITS a caller,'' Mrs. Page cried, i'm
portantIy, its a caller
IT'S probably an order for work.
Marion said, as she went through the
hall.
1t was neither a tradesman or call
er, but boy with box, and in the
box were violets tied with silver cord,
they came or from whom
But Marion remembering a year ago,
with burning cheeks evaded her moth
er's questions.
you violets," the little lady probed-
MY fairy godmother.' Marion said,
her heart beating wildly. And just then
the bell rang again, and there was an
other boy with tray, and on the tray
were oysters in their deep shells, birds
broiled delicately. salad with a delec-
table little pot of currents in honey,
cream cheese and biscuits.
"Who?" the little mother was ques
but now Marion's head was
held high. Are we paupers?" she de-
that people should send US
food?'
The boy at the door was sure of his
II can't take it back he
stated, and Mrs. Page said hurriedly,
''of course not as she gloated over the
birds and the barbecue. 1T gives me
quite an appetite, Marion.
So Marion, seeing the little woman's
pleasure, set forth the feast on the tiny
table, fastened the violets in her belt,
and prepared to be gay. Then once
more the bell rang, and when she open
ed the door Carter Randolph stood
there, tall and strong, with a wonder
full light in his eyes.
Are YOU ready for your guest?'' he
asked
'1Oh." Marion's eyes blazed. did you
send the supper? Did you think that
we were starving, that we needed things
to eat?''
II met Adelaide Overflow" he falter-
ed. ''She told me of your brave
"And you are giving us charity-Ade-
aide had no right to tell you"
yravely, 1.-The right of love" Then he
dropped his hands on her shoulders.
Dear heart" he said graveiy, "a year
ago / went away because before your
-ather died ne DegSed me not 10 ask
you to marry me for year-he wanted
you to be sure of yourself-and he was
we'll then and strong. So went abroad
because 1 could not be near you and
xeep my promise-and until today II
Knew nothing of your sorrow, your pow
srty, your changed life. And all this
ime you have thought I did not care"
Yes" she admitted, IT thought you
lid not care
He looked deep into her eyes Are
rou going to let me make you happy?"
lie said, ito shield you from the
World
And then in the midst of that moment
# happiness came a querulous voice |
is it a caller, Marion?'
Marion's laugh rippled on the still |