The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-21
The EVENING Story
Pameia's Decision.
(By Bernice G. Bicknell.)

ing herself by the window, looked out
upon the fast fading day which was
changing into twilight. Presently she
saw the tall, ungainly figure of Abner
Brown coming down the lane. This
was no unusual sight for Abner came
every Saturday evening and had been
coming for a number of years; but this
was Thursday. The unexpectedness of
| this visit and the fact that in every
movement of Abners awkward figure
there was an undefinable something,
an animation to his gait that she had
not noticed before, convinced her that
something awful had happened.
Abner, she gasped, whats the
matter? Is somebody hurt ?"
NO." he replied, and Pamela noted
that an angry flush rushed to his face
pants.
II just heard about that fellow that
mas been coming to see you. 1 told
the boys it wasn't so. Is it?''
- Pamela stood in doubt moment.
Then with slow dignity she drew her.
self to her full height and answered
stiff1y:
"Abner Brown, I am surprised 1t
is none OF your business who comes
to see me. We are not engaged
None of my business" he biurted.
iii make it my business 1 think a
man that has been coming steady to
see you Tor years has some right to
your confidence"
81 have no confidence 70 give " she
persisted.
Pamela" he gasped in wide-eyed
surprise
Bring Abner in" called a voice
from the sitting room.
softly. '-''' saw
'since Mrs Hitchcock wants me to
stay, I believe WILL
.. y want mt you 70, D.. to stay: too, Abpsr'
and stalked into the house.
Pamela noticed her mothers face
brighten when Abner entered
Good evening, Abner, my boy. Let
me see, this is Thursday. Rather early
| in the week for you? p" Mrs Hitchcock
adjusted her spectacles to look at him
quizzically.
Il had to go over to Ed Lambs.
and it being SO close 1 thought it
are looking fine
Pamela smiled to herself at his fee
Die attempt to shift the subject.
1T is pretty. sight to watch the
mite of wind is stirring, but / don't
| suppose I'll see it much longer for"
| why? You aren't going away, Mrs.
f1i .. fnc TcIa, Grown asked in alarm:
quavered and stopped short at a warn
ing glance from her daughter.
| "Of course, mother. after corn
aa oIsig there will be nothing but bare
neids' but you are used to that" Pa
| mela remarked.
But there won't be even bare
fields in she continued.
Certainly not" interrupted Pane
Ia How is Ed Lambs folks? I have
neen SO busy that I haven't had time
| Fair to middling. Ed is talking of
| selling his farm,'' Abner answered, abb
sently gazing out of the window to
wnere the old mill creek wound in and
out of the little valley below.
| $50 are We, Mrs. Hitchcock said
without looking at her daughter "Pa-
| meha dldn't want me to say nary a
word about it until we had decided.
up her mind. But, law me! I don't
believe in being SO closed mouthed to
anybody like you, Abner, that held in
| my arms when you were a baby. What
| do you think about it 2''
81 think it would be downright fool
fsh to sell the farm that you have lived
| on SO long. Then there are so many
| associations about 1t that must give
you deal cf comfort. The city is no
place for woman like you. Mrs.
Hitchcock, that has been used to the
broad out of DOORS
| II know it. Do you hear that, Pa
mela ?" Mrs. Hitchcock queried. a
| flush coming into her withered cheeks.
Doesn't 1t change you a mite?" Her
old voice trembled.
| NO" Pamela answered ssI'nl tired
of this humdrum life of ourc, mother;
| each day as colorless as the others /
want to see something besides Miller's
| elevator few sprawling houses in
the village, the town pump and Tom
Craig's general store. Just think of
sixty acres of some of the choicest
prairie land in Illinois and you and I
have never even been to SpringfieIdi'
81 didn't know you cared about go
ing to such places. Do you mind what
the preacher said last Sabbath about
folks being contented with their lot ?
I reckon that some people from the
stuffy city would be glad to change
places with you," Mrs. Hitchcock
said.
''If the preacher believes in being
contented why wasn't he satisfied with
the suit the Ladies' Aid society bought
him instead of finding fault with the
cut of it?" Pamela returned.
81 never felt called upon to criticise
the. minister and L don't think you
ought to- Mrs. Hitchcock looked at
her daughter reprovingly.
"I'll sell my eighty. mother so don't
worry" Pamela declared, with an air
of assurance that nearly provoked Alb
ner into a spasm.
| Pamela Hitchcock. sou don't know
what you are doing! What would you
invest your money thinning stock ?''
he protested.
That's my business" she retorted
sharp rap on the parlor door
brought Pamela to her feet with a
/ start
Its Mr. Morris coming for my de-
| cision.''
What decision. Pamela-about your
Darriage?" Abner burst out frantically,
his heavy masculine mind failing to see
any significance between the mysteri-
Gus caller and Pamela's desiring to sell
her land. mo, say it is not. Pamela %
She started to the door. Abne1
sprang to his feet and caught hold OF
her arm.
One minute. before you go to the