The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-01

character; and in their moralizing
they took that darby through such
flights of fancy that he would not
have recognized the slim semblance
of flesh and blood eft him, as Annie,
bent on being perverse, reasoned with
Robert that she believed he, the dar-
ky to be veritable diamond in the
rough" That he was undoubtedly
angelic of disposition. smoothing the
paths of life, of those who CHANGED
to journey along with him. And
never, so she knew, he would be so
minimizing as to jump out and say
BOO to an unoffending girl.
Now Robert had made a passionate pro-
posal OF marriage to this tantalizing miss.
at their first stopping place, and had been
said. she had no desire to end her days Of
romance and pleasure by committing
matrimony" Any other young man would
forever have ruined a possible spark of
hope remaining. Not so Robert. His
when deprived of one thing with which
to accomplish an object, would make the
next best at hand answer her purpose. If
she had not sweet milk, she would dope
the sour. When the white flour CHANGED
to give out just as she wanted a pie, why
graham was more wholesome ANYWAY.
and a delicious one Of that varietv Wa
soon forthcoming. And Robert well re-
menbered the day when his little sister
ingrown toe-nail made visit to the doc
tor necessary. and jamie. her brother,
year oder, was Invested OF his waist and
trousers in short order, their transfer
made to little sister and the trip accom-
plished with perfect composure on the
part of the mother
When Annie refused to marry him,
Robert began immediately to figure on
more favorably, for, of course he expect
ed to win. Now, at this juncture of the
conversation. he concluded that the time
spoiled little beauty So with almost
scowl he began, See here. Annie, I'm
pared with that groveling worm of the
dust
A full minute her startled eyes looked
into his, then to his surprise, she frankly
Il don't blame you
If Robert felt any elation over his vic
tory, he was wise enough not to show it,
as they started now in earnest to join
AN shouted Mr.. Newton. catching
sight of them as they jumped ditch and
scrambled I'D to where the dinner was
already invitingly spread. You thought
the work follows
But this declaration did not rob those
addressed of their appetites, and soon the
round dozen of hungry appreciative lovers
OF nature were m h ne record the eo *
harvest hands would be very doubtful.
Dinner over. with, the gathering of
into the afternoon mid peals of laughter.
as some unfortunate in bearing down a
limb would descend loo suddenly, dilSnl-
ing in a pool of water or mud; or, as an
other, high up in the branches would call
strenuously for some one to hand him the
hook, which had been mischievously with
held by one of the party. At last. the
pleasurable task being complete, nut
ting expedition was proposed for the re-
mainder of the afternoon. But by this
time Robert and Annie had found very
comfortable resting place. and declared
their intention of staying where they
were until time to go home. Just then
Baby Alice made her appearance with
an enormous dead beetle she had found
in the road.
ITS wheels is all off" she sobbed. AN
1t tant do any more.
With all the solemnity of a judge.
Annie explained to her that if she would
bury the poor bug, some day it would
grow up and have a brand new pair of
wheels, and could go everywhere. So the
innocent wondering child set about her
sorrowful task, while the amused young
couple looked on, commenting half SER
iousIy. half in play, upon the poverty of
childhood raised where autos, motor
cycles, verything-seemed so to
90 on wheels that she thought the very
bugs did also.