The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-08
THE EVENING STORY
In a Summer House.
(By Mabel Claire smith ,

Burton Kuhl shrugged his shoulders
with amiable surprise hen he realized
what a storm Of objections he had
brought down on his head by the sim
pie announcement of an Important hap
pening.
What a fuss you are making,
Grace?' he interposed, hastily taking
advantage of momentary pause in
the now of eloQuence. Really, one
would think had committed a crime
In daring to engage myself to the dear
est girl in the world. Your only objec-
ton to Miss Floyd, as I understand
you, is her profession. Well, what's the
matter with it? A doctor is a handy
person to have around, I think I'd
trust my life In Esther's hands a good
deal quicker than in the hands of some
masculine practitioners I could name"
Mrs. Trevelyn sighed expressively and
elevated her eyebrows.
cant you understand?" she cried
vehemently. That's Just why you
should not marry her! Just think what
sort of a home you'd have with a wife
riding around the country at all hours
of the day and night, at the call of
true woman when she deliberately.
chooses a profession like that. I'll
warrant she hasn't a spark of taste in
dress. either! I can't understand your
choice. I'm sure. It's hard to be disap-
pointed in an only brother" she
mourned.
''Oh, nonsenser' frowned Burton.
Esther wouldn't keep up her practice
after we were married, of course. AT
least, not to the extent of answering
night calls. I wish you'd look at the
matter in an unprejudiced light, Grace.
1 never interfered with you and George,
though knew all the time that he was
as poor as poets usually are and never
would amount to g. row Of beans.
You've had time enough to find that
fhQratG Ylar1fU ~ hot
on. II 1t were not for the little dowry
you brought him I fancy life would be
a work-a-day job for George instead Of
his present easy, rhyme-making exist
ence. Why can't you show the same
generous spirit toward me?"
1.-THE two cases are quite unlike, Bur-
toni" flashed his sister. with an in
dignant toss of her head. George and
get on beautifully together, and we
are both home-lovers. He likes to
write poetry and I like him to do 1t.
If so little of it is published 1t isn't be-
cause it lacks merit, I'm sure, for all
the rejection slips say it isn't. I'm
thankful that George doesn't have to
go away from home every day and
slave in some hot, stuffy office"
well, each for his or her hearth
stone!'' yawned Burton. gathering up
his reins and lightly feeling the bit.
II wish you would call on Miss Floyd,
though. Grace. She would like to know
you, I'm sure. Perhaps she could prove
to you better than I that a lady does
rot have to reiinquish feminine graces
and accomplishments to become a
member of the business world
when do it'll be a red-letter day,
Burton Kuhl!" claimed Mrs. Trevelyn.
II suppose you're riding over to call on
her this afternoon"
Yes, I'm going to take Esther to
look over Woodlawn this afternoon. If
she likes the place I mean to buy 1t
fer our future home. We shall be near
neighbors- of yours then. Grace; two
miles and a half between the two
places. Better make up your mind to
be q sister to u.s."
you'll know it when I do nodded
Mrs Trevelyn, as she tossed him a
rose and watched him canter out of
sight down the dusty road.
Left alone, the little lady returned
to her fancy work in the hammock
at one end of the cool porch and pom
dered the disturbing news Burton had
brought. She sighed restlessly, and
finally bundled up her fancy work and
stared thoughtfully at the tips Of her
white slippered feet.
IT wonder whether the girl has small
feet and hands?" she unused, with a
dubious shake of her head. Suppose
she is a big, awkward creature with a
wide smile and a grip like a mans!
Suppose she has a loud, hearty voice
and compelling manner which nobody
dares resist! Just suppose poor Bur-
ton has been fascinated by muscular
Amazon and means to make her my
sister-in-law! Horrors! If George
wasn't busy composing a new poem
I'd run up and ask him If he knows
what sort of a person this DR.. Esther
Floyd is. George hates to be bothered
when he's writing, so I reckon I'd bet
ter not interrupt him. Oh, deari wish
I knew how she looks! I shan't have
q bit Of peace until I find out, 1 know.
I'd go to call on her this very after
noon if Burton hadn't made such a
fuss about it, and If he wouldn't find
it out. Why couldn't he have taken
her to Woodlawn some other timer"
Suddenly Mrs. Trevelyn sprang to
her feet. a mischievol1s sparkle in her
eyes. Whisking indoors. she ran
b1ithe1y upstairs and hurried1y changed
her house dress for an outdoor. gown
of pale yellow shade, with hat, para
sol, and belt to match. Then. popping
her head in at the door of her hus-
bands den, she informed him that she
was going for walk. Having re-
ceived an irritated grunt by way Of re-
Spouse, she softly closed the door and
ran down the stairs and out to the
road.
tive just got to get a glimpse of
that girl this very day, fair or not
fair" she murmured defiantly. eff
can get to Woodlawn before they do,
peek all please without anybody be-
ing the wiser
She took short cut through a field
and another through an orchard.
"Gracious," she painted. some minutes
later. as, tired and flushed from her
unwonted speed, she neared the unoc-
cupied frame house set among stately
old trees TITS a spooky, lonely PLACED
I'll wager this lawn hasn't been moved
since the owner went away, three years
1T Il
rnildeWy to me. It's just the sort of
house Burton likes though" she
added, as she hurried through the
high, tangled grass to a rustic summer
house half way between the house and
the entrance gates HE ALWAYS did
want to get as near nature as pos
sible.''
The summer house was evergrown
with vines and its interior was far
from inviting: but there was rustic