The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-17
The EVENING STORY
Barbara of the Reach
(By Philip KeanO

barbara of the Reach.
(By Philip Kean.)
| rather, you shouldn't have LET mo
spend SO much at school when all of
you needed things+you shouldn't
she knelt beside the big chair, and.
with her face against the rough collar
Oh M! ms coat, sobbed out her protest
| There, there" he smoothed her
crisp curls with his big hand. eft was
tne failure of the peach crop, grille,
ana money has been so scarce"
| oldnt Dream" was her renewed
lexpIanat1on, land I have been going
on as II we were millionaires"
Not quite that but YOU were din
ping IN pretty heavily, so your mother
and L thought it would be best for you
TO square your shoulders to poverty,
like the rest of u.s.
go, and I'll do the cooking"
/ Not so fast her father warned.
| QUIZ nave all the work you need to
help mother with the kidlets, and we'll
al have to lead the simple life, Bah
be- -oi'''eoi Can
AS the months passed, however,
bdrDa was convinced that economy
could be carried no further. They had
let Chloe go, two Of their daily meals
consisted largely of fruit, and the
third often lacked meat. The problem
OF making ends meet was heavy,
Inc climax came one Monday morn
ing when the little mother was kept
IN beo by headache, and Barbara
went to her father for orders.
| Father, everything has given out.
and you won't let me ask for credit at
the store"
NO" sharply, ST guess it has come
to bread and water. Babbie. I must
ards. 1t means our living next year,
| you know"
IF 1 could only earn something
mo, not yet" he caught her fingers
in his, you are too young"
81 am nineteen"
TOO young" he repeated
DO you think it is too hot for soup
for lunch? Here are some vegetables
left-odds and ends.'
Anything to satisfy the children.
thankful
He smiled at her so brightly that
she kissed him, and cried, you are a
wonder!" Then. with the inspiration
of his high courage, she put her whole
heart and soul into the making of the
soup.
After lunch she went for a walk
through the long lane of pines which
led to the beach. The wind, blowing
from the south. brought with it a
warmth which made most of the
guests of the summer hotels retire to
their rooms, and the porches were
deserted A few bathers LACED in the
purple rollers. A half-dozen hooded
chairs, set on the sands. protected a
little company of old ladies who, at no
other hour of the day, dared to brave
the elements. Up the beach the babies
played under the care of languid
nurses.
AS she walked along the little folk,
Barbara was struck by the usefulness
of most of the childish faces. AS young
things will do. they carried their
treasures of seaweed and shell to their
nurses. only to be met by cold-eyed in
difference. Barbara, understanding
their needs, smiled at them, and was
soon the center of a circle.
Lets build a sand castle with a
moat," was her enlivening suggestion.
1t was all very fascinating, the old
ladies were delighted, and certain
tall young man, lounging languidly in
a chair, watched with interest the eff
forts of the very charming and ener-
getic girl.
"say thank you,' ToddIekins, he
told his small sister, land ask her to
come again.
please" begged ToddlekinS and
Barbara promised.
But the next day her mother was
not well, and the day after it stormed,
and the day after that there was bak-
ing to be done, and it was while Bar
bara was rolling out little cakes that
Toddlekins appeared at the back door.
MY big brother and I want you to
come down to the beach and play"
she announced, land make forts and
things
am making cookies
"Oh!" said Toddlekins. rapturously.
Then she peered around the corner of
the porch. ooh, dear Brother Bobs
come here, my lovely LADY is making
He came rather sheepish1y. ''Tod-
dlekins was yearning for you," he ex-7
planned.
''I should like" Toddlekins ventur-
ed, ito ask for a cookie. May 1, Broth
er Bobs %
They're not baked. dearie," Bar
bara said, "but in ten minutes they
will be ready. If you don't mind wait
ling?" She put the question to the
smiling young man.
81 would ten years. he said with
alacrity.
The little cakes were served in the
arbor outside, with a pitcher of cold
milk to accompany them.
81 want you to meet dad" Barbara
said, as she brought the good things
out on a tray Mother isn't we'll"
The shabby old man greeted the
wayfarers heartily.
stopping at the big hotel?" he
asked. well now, you must come
over often, mustn't they, Babs?"
rs that what you call herr" Toddle-
kins asked, curiously, ''Why, call my
big brother Bobs. It's just as if their
names were made for each other, isn't
it,"
They laughed at that ard big broth
| er Bobs said:
IT feel as If we had imposed on your
thospitality-but we couldn't resist the
cookies. And now you must let me
take you out in my car This after
noon, shall it be %
| It was a pleasant thing to see dads
ishabbiness and mothers wearin ess
| and Barbara's responsibilities forgot