The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-07
THE EVENING STORY
Rendition.
(By Helen welborn stedman. }

corpulent mate. Adjectives slightly
modified in the negative quantity
might be used in describing their one
offspring. Maria Stuffius known as
Marie, with few adjectives of quality
added to denote fluffy lightness of hair.
pinky whiteness and eyes almost too
| blue.
Lovers there were none. In vain
they camped in a palatial home in
their own town or stayed in fashion
able hotels of the three border states.
In New York or San Francisco. New
| Orleans or Chicago it was the same.
In vain they were whisked by six-cyl-
inder, noiseless motors from watering
place to watering place. III fact, the
Stufinses seemed to be on a tour to
prove American man wants more than
money when taking a bride. And
Father Stuffins, mentally and orally
| to his spouse-determine1 that only
America could turn the trio into a
quartet.
| The room was well but plainly fur
niShed after the fashion of hotels. 1t
had been a whirn of this prosperous
two to have one room as they found it,
and it was there they spent many hap
py hours together talking over checks
to be sent to charities and little helps
here and there among acquaintance
of days when they, too, struggled for
bread.
Thus they sat one bright April morn
and~he is a comfortable lounging suit,
smoking. .r a-.'
"I sometimes wonder why Marie is
without admirers and lovers, Jake. She
is SO good and kind, and proficient in
SO many ways, and not a homely girl.
"She has not the gift of CAB and en-
trancing shift of glances which seem
to please mankind, both young and
Marie looks like me-" said the wife,
| glancing into the mirror.
| That's a fact well known. Jane"
! why did you love me she asked,
rather dreani1y.
| The great man smiled as he rose
and looked out of the window. mus
ingly.
Jennie" he said, a twinkle in his
eye, 81 was acquainted with you ten
years before knew you. Then I was
suddenly introduced. You remember
the ride you took one da-k, cold night
| to warn Jonesville of intended burg
larry? You had heard a scrap of con-
versation between three suspicious
chaps in railroad station. and
thought it meant robbery. and think
| ing. acted"
He stopped Mrs. Jacob Stufins
stood still in the center of the room,
slow, reminiscent light passing over
the too full face and into the slightly
faded eyes"
Jennie he continued and the hus-
band moved involuntarily toward her.
when 1 heard of that foaming horse
and plucky girl who saved the bank of
Jonesyille I thought for the first time
Of you Then came the reception given
| py the bankers wives. You were a Iit
tie. beyond the model thjrty-sfx. You
Wore pale blue with white, soft FURY
lace, and your eyes shone love. len
ME, how they shonel" He looked at
her tenderly as he drew her toward
MIN. And, Jennie, I am thankful for
that ride"
SOFT, sandy road shifting the sweet
or the softly-murmuring pines, her
groom galloping at a precise correct
ness of distance behind her.
A sound foated through the pines
that was not sigh of the t. es, which,
as she galloped on, reached her ears in
louder and louder and louder strains.
1t was cry, scream of anguish,
Marie matted, listened, waved her whip
to the groom and sent her horse dash
ing on through an opening in the
clearing toward the sound
She reached the spot, jumped from
her horse. ran into the cabin, pushed
the screaming pickaninnies away
gently thrust the weeping colored
woman aside and stopped over the in
jured darby.
Water" cried the girl to the groom
near her; handkerchief. towel, any
thing to tear!'' Between walls and
means and splashes of. blood she tied
the knot that stopped the flow of blood
Two great, swarthy Garkies stood
in the doorway, their faces pale with
fright. their forms stationary with
wonderment. Marie Stufins faced the
slighter of the two. ~
do you know Hotel Beechwood ?"
He nodded.
Take my hat and gloves, ride as
for your life, ask for the young-no,
old-doctor, leave the hsrse, come in
auto an0 come quickly. Understand? ?"
The calm voice and the clear, intel
Igent eyes carried their message to the
negro woodcutter. ..s tsss
| 'Yes-m,'' he answered, and bounded
out of the door.
| Turning to the groom she said,
"Now, General, we must work. Mann
my stop crying and tear that under
wear into strips. Children, stop cry
ing-stop, I sayi" And she gave a
| loud clap of her hands which shut
mouths and lachrymal glands instan-
taneously. Now to work.
| A colored horseman dashed I'D the
| driveway past the astoEished guests
and halted in front of the hotel steps.
1.-The missus' hat and gloves he
shouted. IA man is killed She shuah
wants the doctah, the ole doctor, to
come in auto; me too. and you all be
quick!''
The old doctor standing in the door
of the hot. stuffy. ill-smelling cabin,
took in the situation at glance. The
closed eyes of the form on the bed.
the arm where blood had stopped it's
flow. the nanny weeping softly, the
children huddled together, the groom
standing helplessly at the foot of the
bed, and the fair head of the girl bent
over to catch the faint beat of the
overworked heart
| The young doctor following saw all
| this ard more
| Two hours later they stood by the
Automobile. In the cabin all was quiet