The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-30
THE EVENING STORY
Things just Happened.

the veranda Of her farmhouse with
sewing in hand. when a buggy drove
up to the gate and young lady
alighted and a dress suit case was
handed down to her by a boy who
drove the horse
"I declared" exclaimed Aunt Ra-
chel to herself. as she held her needle
poised in the air.
the boy, and then opened the gate.
II do declared" exclaimed Aunt Ra-
chel this time.
The girl came up the path and
stopped at the steps to look at the
woman and chuckle.
Nov I declare upon my soul!" and
next moment the two were hugging.
why. Minnie Schofield. how did
you get here. and why didn't you write
that you were coming?" asked the
woman, as both sat down.
well, aunty, I'll just tell you how
1t was. Pa and ma said I couldn't
go anywhere this summer. but I
thought of you and packed up few
clothes and came along When I got
to the station found a boy to drive
me over. It was all Just as easy as
could be. and hope you'u be glad to
see me-
''Of course. I'm glad. but do you
mean that your mother didn't know
you were coming?'
"She was out calling or somewhere
when I happened to think I'd come.
and I didn't walt to tell her. I'll
write about it in a day or two. You
see just happened to think how nice
and cool and shady 1t was here, and
how good you always were to me, and
about the calves and lambs"
why, Minnie, it's just the same as
running away. How could you do such
a thing!"
''Oh, no it isn't. just happened to
think I'd come. you see. When a girl
runs away she doesn't go near her
relatives. If you stop to think you'll
see how different it is. I'm going to
stay a whole month and get sun
burned"
''Well. maybe it is different" said
the aunt. Anyhow, I'm glad you
came. You can have the front room
upstairs"
If Aunt Rachel had suspicious she
kept them to herself. thinking the girl
would take her into her confidence in
a day or two. whole week passed
and nothing was said. AS no letter
came from the girls parents, it seemed
as If they knew where she was and were
content.
One day Minnie came in from a long
walk to say
''Oh, aunty, the funniest thing was
happened to me. 1 was down by the
creek watching the minnows when
suddenly looked up the road. I don't
know why I did, but it happened So"
"Well?'
well. there was a man coming tow
ard me. He was a young man. He
had a suitcase in his hand. He looked
sad"
Maybe he got lost from the circus
that went past here last week.
mo. he didn't. I kept looking at
him, and looking and looking, and as
he came nearer was sure that it was
some one I had seen before"
"S0rn0 one Won had seen In the Cifv 7ss
was asked.
Yes, 1 was quite sure it was a
young man named Chester Armstrong.
When he got up quite close-real close
he said
Little girl, am looking for a farm
house where they will take me in for
a couple of weeks"
Yes. he said just like that. and then
1 cried out:
"tOh, Chester, is it you?'"
You called him Chester, did your
Il think I did, but I just happen
ed to, you see. Perhaps he didn't no.
tice it: He was looking so sad. you
know
And perhaps he called you Minnie? ''
He might have, but I didn't notice
it. Yes, he was looking for a place to
take him in as a summer boarder. He
went to Smiths, and guess they took
him In
And he'll be over here half the time
oPoA Mig JOu. Sd1Q <AuIlL 1ldCu0l DIS
she looked the girl full in the face
But 1 knew him in the city, you
know. and he's a nice, quiet young
man. 1t was so funny that he should
happen to be out here. Isn't it strange
how things come about?''
Yes, rather strangei Minnie Scho-
field
"Oh. you dear old thing. I know
what you're going to sayi" exclaimed
the girl, as she rose up and stopped
the others words with a hug and a
kiss. You are going to invite him to
come over here as often as he wants
to, and shall bless you for it. It's SO
good of you. Maybe he'll get over his
sadness now"
81 shouldn't bit wonder. What hay
seeds we are in the country, and what
smart. cute girls they do raise in the
city,
The young man came over next day.
Aunt Rachel thought pretty well Of
him, but she held him at a distance.
Miss Minnie was careful to call him
Mr.. Armstrong, and he was very par
ticular to Miss Schofield" her, but
when did a young girl ever pull the
wool over the eyes of a woman of fifty,
and two-times widow at that? She
said but little but thought much. She
let two or three days pass. and then
asked:
rs this Mr.. Armstrong in love with
any girl that you know Off"
why, think he is. Yes. I think
he's as good as engaged to one. It's
funny how 1 happen to know, but 1t
just happens
Mice grip
Splendid"
"And he's sad because her parents
object to the match
That's it. OF course he's sad. Aunty.
just suppose you were a young man,
poor, but awfully sweet and nice? Sup
pose you loved girl-a nice girl-but
because you hadn't a barrel of money
your father should tell him to take a
skate? He must skate, even If 1t breaks
the poor girls heart. Wouldn't you
think it awful?"
IT don't know-but there's the Bap-
fist minister driving up, and he'll be
sure to stay for supper. He always
does, and he's got monstrous appetite
for a preacher. Run away, now. I'll
so@rr.d,1na nos, Iafarss