The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-31
THE EVENING STORY

(By Lawrence Alfred Clay.)

| 10y Lawrence fAlIrGQ Ctay.l
Because Harold Speed was twenty
trude Rayburn was only nineteen;
because he was rather prim and pre-
else, and she was sort of tomboy;
because he was in love with her and
because of several other reasons, he
mad come to speak of her as Little
Miss Chit.
/ She was saucy and impudent and
independent, and she was very de-
mure and deceitful and ingenious.
II she loved him in return she wasn't
going to let him know it until she
got good and ready. She resented his
primness and preciseness and the re-
Dukes he offered.
When her mother talked to her
about her wicked ways she elevated
her chittish chin and replied:
And who is Harold to boss me?
He is only a bit Older than I am,
though he acts like an old deacon.
I'm going to keep at him until he
drops that awful dignity and acts as
any other young man would
| He has asked you to marry him, I
lpresume?" queried the mother.
Yes. he has. and how did he do
It! We were sitting in the summer
ing gum. 1t was a beautiful night.
The crickets were singing, and the
night breeze was rustling the big will
How. 1t was just the incest night in
| ShO WOi1u u Ialk love, out We QaQ
sat there like two stupids for a long
half hour and just as I was expect
ing him to drop to his knees and pro-
pose. he said:
do you think we ought to keep
cat when we are married ?'''
Why, mamma, was SO mad that
almost swallowed my gumi Did
you ever hear the like Pr
Harold is a very steady young
man; and you are hoity-toity." re-
piled the mother.
I'm not It's Just only that I won't
be a grandmother till 1 have to be.
Oh, you wait I'll bring that young
man off his pedestal If he continues
to hang around here. If he thinks I'm
going to walk a chalkline for him
he's very much mistaken"
Harold was expected that very even
ling, and he arrived on tirne-not
minute too soon nor minute too late.
The butler waved him into the parlor,
to further program he expected to
find Miss Gertrude sitting bolt upright
IN her chair as she waited his appear
ance. But she wasn't in a chair at
all. She was sitting on the floor like
girl of ten, and moreover she was
making rag doll. She looked for
Mr.. Speed to exclaim He might even
turn and leave the house. He did
nothing of the kind. He simply said:
Sorry. Miss Chit. that you haven't
/
euse me. please, while I look at the
| latest magazine"
"oh. sure! Wish grandma was
home to talk with yout''
And for long time she sat there
and talked to her doll and sung to
herself, but she couldn't even ruffle
the conservative young man. He
seemed quietly to enjoy the situation.
On another occasion he began to
talk politics as soon as he entered
her presence. and after standing it
for half an hour she yawned and
asked if he had any objection to going
out and buying quart of peanuts to
roast in the kitchen. She hoped he
would flush up and even swear, but
he disappointed her. He remained cool
and calm and answered that he hoped
her frivolity would entirely disappear
some day. So
Again, he entered the parior to
find her walking up and down with a
cane, and her fathers silk hat on her
head. She continued to walk after his
entrance, and it was only after he had
seated himself and began to read a
letter taken from his pocket that she
| threw hat and cane into a corner and
! exclaimed:
Harold Speed. am I nobody, or
nothing?''
Why. yes-you are little Miss
Chit he answered
/ "And you are Dignity on noun
tain! Say, would you jump if a
street car was coming at you?"
81 think I could walk out Of its
path
'I wish a policeman would arrest
your
what for?'
ST wish he'd arrest you and slam
bang you all over the block, and that
the judge would give you thirty days
How I just would like to see it
slam banged!''
THANK you.
"And you needn't some here no
more!"
but I SHALL
/ land I never said I'd marry you
when you asked if we ought to keep
| a cat. You go to father if you dare!"
rs he at home this evening.
please?'
boy sooner than-than-!"
miss Chit, haven't seen you
PLAYING marbles or drawing toy
cart about yet"
Three days later Miss Gertrude and
| her mother went to a manor house
for weeks stay. 1t was winter. and
| the lake. a quarter OF a mile away,
was frozen over, and certain folks
were fishing through the, ice with
good luck. Mr.. Speed was to come
down for the last two days of their
stay. There were four clear days in
which to SNOWFALL, skate, fish and
| slide down hill. Even a snowman
was built at the gate and a sign of
I"Dignity" would have been hung
around his neck If Miss Chit could.
have had her way. The thought that
Mr.. Speed was to come down and
| spoil the last two days set a certain
little head thinking. A plan was
laid, and the boy who had baited her
| fish hooks was called in to conspire.
| He grinned and Miss Chit giggled.
whats afoot now? ?" asked the sus-
picious mother.
Nothing, mamma, dear Harold will
| be here tomorrow. He will arrive at
IL o'clock, the same as we did
shall be over at the lake fishing Tell
him where I am. No. there's nothing
doing, mamma. I'd Just like to see
him catch a fish through the ice."
| Harold arrived. AS usual. he was
punctual to the minute. He was