The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-27
THE EVENING STORY
Joe's Intervention.

Joe's Intervention.
SBy Martha Observation-Disclosures.
Marina's lip quivered IF only I
we're man." she began. Joe. her
protner, Just growing into long trou-
sers' grlnned and interrupted: "If only
YOU were man, Sis, there'd be war
a,plenty. 1t beats me clean why a girl
IKE you, not no bigger'n a minute, can
pc SO full O. spite and fight. Jim
Dapney says you look like you were
made out of Ribbon and lace and a
kiss in the face He'd talk different,
though, 1 bet, If he know you like 1
do.'
He had no business to say any
thing" Marina snapped. her eyes
flashing. I'm nobody's business ex-
cept my own
Several fellows seem to think diff
ferent," Joe hazarded with his tongue
in his cheek. Aunt Ria Tandy sure
does, too. Unless L go a half mile
round, she calls me in to ask me
about your sweethearts, every time
go to the mill"
"It's perfectly disgraceful the way
people gossip all over this town. Mar
ina said, flinging up her head. eff
only l were a manor there was one
in the family-well! it would have to
be different Somebody would get
called to account
"Oh, don't get mad, M'rina!" Joe
CALCULATED. You go and get ashy-
real down ashy-all for nothing. 1
know what's madded you so-it's the
tales Miss Pete Watson told Jim Dab
ney-that you was engaged to Dick
Foster ever since last Christmas. I'd
like to lamm her for it good and
hard"
81 hope somebody will some day."
Marina said vindictively. MAKE haste,
and grow up, joe" she added. maybe
you can help me a little bit them
"Humph! You'll be married-with
grandchildren-almo that time
Joe giggled, lodging the apple his
out in the orchard, picking basketfuls
of red beauties.
At least they had been picking them
until Joe's incautious recital of certain
choice bits of gossip had sent Marina
into tantrum
''Say, M'rina, was there ever any
thing to Miss Pete's tale?' Joe asked
as he came upright again. 81 mean,
were you ever real sweet on the Dicky
bird? Say truth cross your heart
but if you were, I'm ashamed of you.
Dicky bird is the limit"
''No-he's gone beyond it-he's sim
ply insufferable-alway was" Marina
flung in. Joe whistled softly, then
You'll do after all. But the way Miss
Pete told it, she had me real scared.
1t was awful the way she reeled it off
to Jimmy going home from prayer
meeting
''You didn't listen? Walking along
behind? ?" Marina demanded. Joe clos
ed his eyes and elevated his eyebrows.
"I amt no professional eavesdropper,"
he said: "But the roads as free to me
as anybody, and it amt my fault if
twenty yards off. 1 heard-without
listening. She said Dicky made love
to you morning, noon and night and
gave you a ring-the most be-a-u-ti-
full Solitary-worth a mint of money
she saw you have it on
'I came out of a ze-package, I
guess. I threw it away as 1 went
home" Marina shifted.
Joe giggled again and went on:
miss Pete surely can make UP a
story. She said you told her you was
engaged to Dick when you went visit
ing the Wentworths.
Marina became crimson with anger.
Even Joe, and he was a critical young
brother, thought that she looked pref
ty nice. She felt that she must re-
lieve herself.
"Of course I saw Dickey, and three
times a day." said she. Mrs Went
worth is his aunt, and he lives with
them. He can't help being conceited
he's the only single man under thir-
ty in their town. Such a dead town it
is, even Dicky is an event.
"It got to be a standing joke with
all of US that Dicky was my last op-
u
be mad enough to traipse over here
once a week as he has done ever
since"
"She told Jimmy you were in dead
earnest until you was tempted by
richer man. said Joe. "Myl But she
did roll that out-with a long sigh
most a meow
Marina flushed again. JIMMY
What What did he say?" she she demanded; Joe
on hi no1x 20
Pete going until he got her safe
through her own door" he said "She
came near yanking him in by force,
but he managed somehow to pull
ought to a-heard him. 1 can't repeat
it-couldn't go to Sunday school if 1
did"
"But he listened to heri And how
is he ever going to hear the truth ?"
Marina cried, half sobbfng. "Oh, how
I hate a mischiefmaker! OF course I
can't go to Jimmy and tell him
can't even let you"
"Oh, I guess there amt much need
of that" Joe gurgled. He had flung
was kicking his heels high in the air.
ST come on home with Jimmy, at least
as far as my road was his.
"He never asked me a word. but he
knew I'd been bound to hear Miss
Pete. And he was as glum as a
ghost and as sour as a pickle until 1
sprung my scheme on him. Then you
ought to a-seen him dance and ca
per! 1t was all 1 could do to keep
him from hugging me right in the
middle of the road"
4'YcIr scheme? What was it? II
don't understand" Marina began, her
eyes wondering.
Joe gave a joyous whooping yell.
"I might maybe show you better'n I
can tell you" he said. "Says to him:
hi
heaps the best of the lot that's run
ming after M'rina. I don't believe
she's double-crossed you, but Wen try
to find out before I'm gray-headed. In
orRfy7 20 Ao1y vi