The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-05

not until he met Rose. And now that
ne had met her he did not know that
aware that he had learned one of
loves first lessons-blindness to the
world and forEetfulness of self. Like
the ostrich, hiding from his enemies
Dy tnrusting his head in the sand, he
was hiding from his own heart. Mrs.
Transom wrote her son a long letter.
He replied, saying he was enjoying
himself and really had decided to stay
would not say just when he would re-
turn.
Then it was that his mother packed
trunk and decided that a little trip
would do her good. She determined
to surprise her son and come home
with hint would be a natural and
motherly thing for her to do-and
she would see the girl who was keep
ing him. The wisdom of her sex
warned her that Girl" though I'M
mentioned in her sons letters, lay be-
neath MS strange and sudden wish to
daWdle in mid-western town at the
home of mere college friend.
Meanwhile Everett Transom was
becoming very gay and foolish, dis
covering that he had really never
iived, that the breezy western air was
the finest in the world, and that west
ern girls had much more attractive
ness than he would have thought pos
sible.
And Rose was growing quiet and
serious-at little seasons, few and far
between, be it admitted. Her inter-
est was no longer feigned. She began
20 be little afraid. This man with
the resolute eyes and unsmiling mouth
would not be fiirted with and take
olsmlssaI easily. She knew she
would be called to account.
Things were at this pretty pass of
!overlike doubt and fear, when one
IoVeIy morning Mrs. Transom, quite
unannounced, got out at the little
station, and finding a cab, came out to
the Reverton place.
1t was beautiful day, and seeing
the big house standing out by itself,
where she could not miss it, she asked
the driver to let her down to walk
few blocks after her long journey
besides, on foot, she would be more
of surprise.
As she entered the drive, she saw
coming toward her a pretty dog cart.
And in 1t, his hands holding loosely
the reins which should have been
guiding the perverse spotted pony,
sat her son-her cherished boy
Laughing and turning his face ridicu-
lously close to very pretty, a most
unnecessarily pretty, yellow-haired
girl who looked back at him in q man
ner which was, to say the least,
frank! Neither saw her. But the
pony did, and not to run over her,
SHE'D.
His senses returning, the young
man looked up and saw his mother.
Not believing his eyes, startled, full
OF what he had been saying to Rose
u how he loved her-he jerked the
reins the wrong way, and the per-
verse pony started sharply to one
side, so sharply that in a twinkling
the cart upset and dumped lover and
girl at the astounded and frightened
old 1ady's feet. Mrs. Transom tried
to scream but her voice refused to
come.
Then DR.. Transom was on his feet,
gathering Rose up out of the dust
and into his arms, assuring himself
she was not hurt, saying he knew
not what until she declared she was
not even scratched. Then he turned
and dutifully kissed his mother. She
looked sternly at Rose.
Your-new daughter, Rose" he
explained swiftly. Rose, very dutifully,
received her future mother-in-Iaw's
frigid kiss Copyrighted 1910 by
Associated Literary Press.)