The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-29

John Clifford the mile to her bare
tenement home.
The next day Name and Sadie in
deed took it OUT of her; they made
life unbearable to the girl, but she
paid no attention to them outwardly
But at night, in her own room, she
sobbed herslf to sleep She knew tnat
never again could she be uncon-
scious with John Gifford-these girls
with their rough tongues, had spoiled
everything.
A few evening later when she was
walking home and he, waiting pur-
posely, waylaid and went home with
her. she hardly spoke to him. How
could she, accused as she was of angl-
ing for him.
That night the young man lay awake
some hours deciding whether the girl
was simply shy or whether he had
offended her. The next evening he
| walked straight to her house, asked
her father at the door for her and was
sent to the kitchen.
In her blue calico dress. she was
clearing away the supper things and
advising Sis on her arithmetic lesson.
Here, in her own castle, she was more
approachable She talked little, and
| he made friends with twelve-year-old
Jimmy, laid upon the lounge with a
cut foot. Then the father came in
with his pipe and chatted, finally go
! ing to bed at an hour unbelievably
early. Clifford rose to go: but as he
l
81 came out to ask If I have Of
| Tended you in any way. Have I? You
hardly spoke to me last night, and If
have done anything I'm sorry"
To his surprise the girl lost her
serenity and blushed crimson, fidget-
ing with her apron, but he waited for
| an answer.
"No-of course you haven't" she
said, "only-I wish you wouldn't-talk
to me or walk home with me-when
the mill eyirIS rant stand
their talk, T. She paused, frighten-
ed that she had spoken so plainly.
Surprise, a desire to laugh, then a
sort of reverence came into the man
| mind. He was vain enough to know
that most girls he knew were only
too willing to be seen with him. This
was something new and sweet and
| genuine. He would have liked to kiss
her as she stood looking shyly at him
| but he said goodnight and went home
By morning he had discovered thai
he loved her. He laughed, remember
ing Names calling her raw material
Well, it was fine material, it was mod
esty and reserve, home-love, loyalty
qualities that a man could mold int
wifehood-and motherhood. He Sc
himself deliberately to win her.
1t was some months later that h
really dared tell her all his heart, anC
day morning. The children were no
yet up, and the old man, her father
was smoking in the back yard. TIL
lover had wakened early and cam
walking into her kitchen as she wa
preparing breakfast. She started AM
blushed as he entered, coming straigh
to her and taking her hands.
Girl" he said. "I'll never have an
; other minute of peace in my life, da,
or night. If you can't tell me you
care! Oh. Rosie, of course you know
love you-but could you love M
J back? Do your"
1t was quite like her not to prevari
cate, not to put him off, to meet TIL
issue with deep, sweet serious eye
lifted to his searching gaze. She wa
so honest!
YES Sc said, of course, L
care! How could I help it, even if
wanted to?" Then he fairly lifted he
from her feet into his arms And aftel
little the old man came in and
stared.
John explained: "She's NINE" HI
said rather lamely. Were engaged.
"Umph! That's what it looked like
to me!'' grunted the old man. 'Well
CHS is fifteen an can keep house pretty
, we'll" He walked back into the yarC
again, and no one missed him-(Copy.
righted 1910 by Associated Literary
| Press