The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-15
THE EVENING STORY
Birds of q Feather.
(By Temple Bailey.)

(By Temple Bailey.)
When Ward Davis heard that her
name was Jennie Wright, he smiled
and said, 1T ought to be Jennie
Wren"
He had noticed that she wore sober
little gowns to class, gowns which
contrasted strangely with the pinks
and blues and heliotropes of the
other girls at the summer school.
She had a sober manner, too, which
was relieved by a birdlike brightness.
And she went on her sedate and busy
little way alone, studying hard while
otners danced and played cards. or
ate shore dinners at neighboring
beaches.
To Ward she seemed, in spite of
her intellectual occupation, closely
allied to the women he had known in
his childhood. She seemed the type
who should be busy about household
things. He was glad when he dis
covered that her work in the winter
was in kindergarten. There seemed
an eternal fitness in the fact that she
lived daily with little children. But
now and then, the thought came to
him that she would be at her best
grooming lullaby at her own hearth
stone.
Such thoughts never entered his
head when he made merry with the
other grown up scholars who We're
seeking the knowledge that should ad-
vance them in the professions. Most
IL -
scintillating, healthful creatures, who
seemed made for efun and frivolity.
Those who were not beautiful and bril-
liant were intellectual machines, whom
no man could seek, because they would
not admit the need of masculine COM
partnership.
Ward Davis, having taught English
to countless students, both in the sum-
mer and the winter schools of the
university, could not quite understand
his interest in Jennie Wright. Girls
had come and gone, and he had re-
manned heart whole and fancy free.
When he had dreamed of marriage
for himself, he had thought he would
select wife of rare attachments, with
culture and beauty. He had made up
his mind that no teacher or toiler
should tempt him from his ambitions.
and now this little Jennie Wren was
which was amazing and discomfort
ing.
He avoided her except when she
came to his classes. yet fate seemed
to bring them singularly together.
Their tastes were similar, and if he
went to the college art gallery he was
sure to find her in front of his favor
lite pictures. She spent hours in the
library, digging among old books, and
it pleased him one day to find that
cient cookery. It seemed to fit in with
his idea of her domestic qualities.
THAT isn't in line with your stud
ies," he chided her with laugh in his
eyes. "You ought to be reading finger
plays and things like that
AS her eyes laughed back he felt a
sudden thrill. It was as if a wild
bird had flashed past him, and had
then hidden herself away in
thicket.
ct like cook books" she said.
''They are my soIace when things at
the boarding house go wrong. I like
to read about good things to eat
just at this moment have been rev.
cling in recipe for Brunswick stew.
Did you ever taste one?"
Eyes, indeed Wards tone was
eager. my grandfather was mighty
hunter, and he would bring home
SQUIRRELS, and there was always corn
and green peppers and onions to make
it savory, and tomatoes to add the final
finish to it's flavor
She laughed. You positively make
a poem of it," she said.
Look here" he urged, boyishly, IT
know place, a short ride away, where
we can get Brunswick stew made af-
ter our family recipe. An old nurse
of mine keeps the place, and she would
be delighted to have it ready If tel
ephoned ahead"
Her glance reminded him. more
than ever, of startled bird. why.
I couldn't" she said. And then she
added stiff1y, you must think me
dreadfully silly
Ward wanted to say that he thought
her charming with the flush on her
cheeks, and with her kindling eyes
But he knew it wouldn't do. He felt
that fIattery would be distasteful to
her, and that she would fly away.
please" he urged again, but she
shook her head.
ST have so much to do" she |
pleaded.
Never having been thwarted. Ward |
made up his mind that some day she |
should go with him. but he bided his |
time. And, before he knew it, he was
wooing his little Jennie Wren like a |
gallant Robin Redbreast.
He was deeply, profoundly in love
for the first time. He felt stirring |
in his heart all the primeval instincts. |
He wanted a home with this woman
in it. He wanted a future in which |
this little creature should be at his |
side, cheering him, helping him, sus- |
tanning him. He smiled as he analysed |
his feeling. SCI thought 1 longed for
a mate of gay plumage. but I am no
more fitted, with my quiet tastes and |
love of flomely happiness, to unite |
with a society woman than is a plain
robin to join his fortunes to hum
mingbird.'
His sense of protection made him
want to surround her with every |
safeguard, and when one day, upon |
the campus, he found her being |
badgered by s a group Sp,,s OF gay s young
screen of vines he sat on the porch of
the old library and heard them tease
her about him. They had read his
secret before her modesty would per-
NIT her to understand, and now they
were taxing her with it,
Little mousse said a gay girl in
blue, '-to think that you should carry
off the prize
Jennie's inquiring glance went from
one amused face to another. why
haven't won any prize" she said.
what do you mean?''
"a big prize. the girl in blue ex-