The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-13
THE EVENING STORY
A Spinster's Romance.
DIV Francis IA. Corey.l

er's numerous children had robbed her
| OF all comeliness. She was plain al
most to ugliness. A pair of luminous
gray eyes We're her only redeeming
feature. Even these had failed to at
| tract the other sex. At 80 she was
still minated
mot that I greatly mind being an
old maid" she sighed $50 many
| turned out disastrously But I'm
tired of bringing up other folks chill
dren. My stepbrothers and stepsisters
| are more dependent on me than on
| their own mother. I'd like to get
away from it all for a while. be my
| own Mistress
A harsh voice pealed up the stair
way; Dorothy, you're wanted. Come
quickn'
| She descended listlessly. Obe-
dience to that dictatorial voice had
become second nature. Mrs. Granger,
was waiting in the lower hall.
"Ebenezer Blake's come to take you
foolishness-in a man of his age!
The best part o. the forenoon'u be
| wasted. and that new gown Of your
sisters not half done yet
CHANGING from the window, Dorothy
saw EbeneZer standing at his horses
head. dressed in his Sunday clothes.
He was the nearest neighbor-a wild
over, with small children. A sud
den color famed into her cheeks: 1t
was so like an answer to her unspok-
en- prayer.
| It'll sew on Bertha's dress this
evening"" she said, excitedly pinning
on her hat.
Ebenezer greeted her jerkily. Fine
you'd like to ride out! You've been
good to the children. Wanted to do
something to show my appreciation"
II shall be pleased to CO." said
At first they were both silent. The
novelty of the situation tied Dor
othy's tongue, made her self-con-
scious. She had never driven for
pleasure with any man save her
father. It looked as If a way of es-
cape were opening up! What should
she answer if Ebenezer asked her to
marry him? He was a kind neigh
Dor and had been an indulgent hus-
band to his wife.
| Her companions thoughts were
running after this fashion:
| Never calculated to take up with
an old maid Dorothy amt beauty;
| but she's good as gold If she was
Brown! But man can't have a wife
made to order. He's got to take
women folks as he finds them"
| Several times he cleared his throat
to an end without the momentous
words being spoken. mo use being
in a rush." he told himself, having
left Dorothy at her own door. "Guess
I'll ride out with the widow tomor-
row."
Dorothy's small brotheres and sis
tiers leased her numerically that
night. They thought 1t a great joke
that their staid elder sister should
| have a beau
'You might do worse than take
up with Ebenezer.'' said her father.
He's likely man. and weIl-to-do.
| thought, though, you'd fancy
somebody more after DR.. Hyland's
"Dr. Hyland!" Mrs. Granger broke
in scornfully. LAS if he'd look at
Dorothy. Bertha, now might stand
a chance. I've seen him look at the
house when driving past I'm going
to ask him to tea some night"
Bertha simpered. She was a pref
| ty girl, with beaux as plenty as
}blackberries: but she would have bar
tered them all for the good looking
doctor.
Her task completed, Dorothy stole
up to her attic room and sat for a
long time in the open window, with
an aching heart.
The following afternoon, while on
saw Ebenezer'S smart new buggy turn
in at the Widow Browns gate. There
goes my last chancei'' she thought
| whimsically.
| Next morning, as she was wedding
the onion bed, DR.. Hyland drove past
as far as the big white house at the
bend in the road. Which of the Blake
children had fallen i'll this time !?
They usually took their disorders
turn about must be the youngest.
tInstinctively she started for the gate:
then suddenly stopped.
I've always gone to them in sick
ness and trouble, but it's Mrs. Browns
turn now" she said aloud.
l7r 4 -
had queer, patient, pathetic look
CHANGING up presently she saw Ebe-
nezer coming swiftly up the road.
TITS little Bess!" he CRIED. across
the garden fence. She keeps calling
for you. Dorothy Won't you please
come at once?"
When she entered the sick room DR..
Hyland glanced at her curiously
across the couch where the moaning
child lay. That queer light was still
in his eyes when5 after a brave fight
the little sufferer lay sleeping peace
fully in Dorothy's arms
'The crisis is over he said. in a
low voice to the anxious father. Miss
Changers unselfish devotion has saved
your child's life
Ebenezer drew a rough sleeve across
his eyes.
This little one thinks sight of
Dorothy he replied. TITS going to
make things easier when she comes
here for good
IT'S really settled?' the doctor
asked
''As good as settled was the COM
lplacent answer.
For some time DIR. Hyland sat in
thoughtful silence, the pleasant,
tcheerful smile that made patients love
him and welcome his coming, gone
from his lips There was no occasion
now for lingering, but he felt unable
to leave.
Dorothy looked flushed and nervous
Presently she laid the sleeping child
on the couch and turned to go
EbeneZer rose hastily and followed
her out
''See here, Dorothy" he said in
some agitation. MY minds made
up. We may as well come to an I'M
Outstanding. The children need YOU
$50 do I. Won't you come here next
| al to e LII, A