The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-04
THE EVENING STORY
Loves Faithful Haven.
(By Maria Cliffworth.) )


the only people in the house, and Wis
Ferry that was no reason why she
should not keep her carpets covered.
The room was growing dim. for
night fell early. This having to light
up at half-past was a great drain
| on the oil can: but there are times
when one cannot see even with two
pairs of spectacles astride ones nose
She leaned forward and called:
Anna janet
Anna Jane came scurrying down.
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
at the top of the fight and almost
losing her balance and tumbling over
| the braided rug at the foot
What have you been doing up-
stairs all this time?' Mrs. Ferry de-
| manded, looking at her sharply She
had notion that Anna Jane had been
crying. you better go to the post
Office right away if you're going.''
Anna Jane took down her faded old
jacket and limp hat. Shall 1 light
the lamp before go?" she asked tim
idly.
ST guess not. I amt in such a ter
rible hurry as you be to burn up the
last bit of oil there is in the house.
Thats because have to buy it, may
be-"
Jane hurried into her things without
another word
There was really nothing to go to
the postoffice for. She had been four
days now in succession without re-
celVlng anything from the hands of
the impatient clerk. Yet rain or shine,
Anna Jane must make her daily pill
gr1mage to the postoff1ce.
1t never occurred to her to rebel
against this or any other task Aunt
Hulda set her. Aunt Hulda had been
very good, she thought, to take her
in when she was left a little helpless
girl without parents or friends.
She had a childish memory of the
She believed Aunt EIulda had favored
her sister Tilly more, for Tilly was
older and far prettier.
Tilly married early and well. When
she had been married five years she
suddenly remembered Anna Jane and
sent for her to visit her. Anna Jane
went and had the time of her life.
Tilly was very good to her, but in
clined to make fun of her old-fashion-
ed ways of dress and manner.
"Anna Jane she said, you've got
to do your hair different and wear
something besides that made-over
black dress of Aunt Hulda's. I'm go
ing to get you pink lawn and when
it's made I'll give you party
Anna Jane gaSped with delight. The
evening of that party and the first
wearing of the pink lawn was the
most memorable of her life. For that
evening she met him. No man had
ever before paid her any attention,
He came to call the next evening and
the next and the next. OF a sudden
he had grown wonderfully friendly
with the Martins and Tilly understood.
She worked with might and main to
make the match and when Anna Jane
went home she was engaged.
Anna Jane was to be married from
Aunt Hulda's house, and she set to
work upon her simple trousseau. Aunt
Hulda grown suddenly generous, help
ed her, and Tilly sent $40 to buy the
wedding dress. Anna Jane lived in
a heavenly dream He wrote every
week and she wrote back every week.
Then his letters began to lag, and
at last came silence. Anna Jane wept
and wondered. She could do nothing
Even Tilly could not for a long time
find out what was the trouble. But
when she did she wrote her sister:
Hes married." she ragged. ''He
married that Covers girl that was here
at your party. She always wanted
him, and now she's got him. They
went to the justice a month ago and
were married on the SLY. 1 wouldn't
believe it till I had 1t right from her
own mouth, the impudent thing!"
Poor Anna Jane! She packed away
her wedding things with a dazed look
in her eyes that never after left them.
Aunt Hulda sighed and sighed.
y
was all to blame and treated her ac-
cordingly.
But there were times when the bur-
den pressed more heavily upon her
than at others and tonight was one of
them. Her voice trembled as she
stood at the general delivery window
and put the worn out question:
ANY mail for Mrs. Hulda Ferry,
please?'
The clerk snatched a package of let
from niURnnhn
them hurriedly. Then he shook his
head and Anna Jane, with fresh hu-
initiation upon her, turned away.
The storm had increased and in the
faint light the sidewalk was slippery.
A big man with an umbrella, whose
hat brim was turned down and whose
coat brim was turned up, saw her.
Look out!" he cried, gruffly. He
caught her by the arm and helped her
Anna Jane dropped her head with a
gasp of thanks. He held the umbrella
over her and walked silently at her
side, shielding her generously from
the faying storm.
When she turned the corner he
turned it with her. 1t was a most
unusual proceeding. Anna Jane was
not used to receiving courtesies- She
wondered who he was, but she did not
dare look into his face to see. Pres
emily he spoke again, gruffly.
"I'm looking for Mrs. Hulda Ferry.
Can you tell me where she lives?"
Anna Jane jumped. why, yes, 1
can," she said. I'm going right to
her house now. I live with her."
"Oh, do you?'' said the man. Then
I'll accompany you home"
He did not speak again nor did
Anna Jane. When they reached Mrs.
Ferry's little low house Anna Jane
went up the steps and he followed.
She opened the door and went in and
he went in too.
He tore open his long ulster and
threw off his hat.
"Anna Jane" he said1Fdon't you
know me?"
Anna Jane tipped uncertainty and
he caught her and put her in a chair.