The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-06
THE EVENING STORY
Fathers Presence.
(By J. T. GreenIeaf.)

The car began to slow down and all
the efforts of the Rev Mr.. Holmes,
who was driving it, couldn't prevent a
dead stop right on a country road and
some distance from help at o'clock
on summer evening.
/ Now what's the matter?" groWled
old Judge Harlan from the tonneau,
Where his cigar made faint glow.
One of the inevitable mishaps of
motor cars replied Lawyer Garfield,
who sat next him.
That's the bother with these dill
Iettantes-parsons or what not-let
the shoemaker stick TO his last say
L., grumbled the white-haired jurist,
| although he was more than kind to
offer to take US over to that late
train"
While the amateur motorist was
looking under the hood and testing
things in general, the judge said:
| That young Windon will make his
mark in good time, for I never heard
a better or more logical pleading than
the one he made today. but I must say
I'm surprised that he remains unmar-
ried just because of, the freak of an
old country doctor, even if he does
happen to be the father of the girl
| that is. If the girl is worth anything"
You don't know her, for, besides
her beauty and intelligence, she has
| the conscientiousness and loyalty of
the martyrs of the olden time as
serted Garfield.
"And the old curmudgeon of a faith
/ r won't consent to the marriage till
he has selected and won for him a
second wife, insuring the girls obedi-
ence by a promise on her part that
she will not marry except at home and
when the old bear himself is in the
house ?'
Yes, just that, as 1 understand it.
You see the boy has been like a son
Can a greenhorn be Of any help?"
The words broke in on the lawyers
reply.
well, I declare, windon! How
came you here?" exclaimed Garfield,
stretching out a hand to the figure
and answering the question that had
been put in a well-known voice. "Such
novices as you are certainly can
you are stalled just in front of the
doctors premises and L"
Eyes, yes. know how much you
are in need of the aid of a physician
but I'm afraid your malady is past
all medical heIp-and the judge and
were just talking about you. How is
Annie ?"
"She's quite herself, Mr. Garfield"
was the reply in clear contralto from
the same shadows by the side of the
car.
please come up here, young lady,
and let me introduce Judge Harlan,
of the Supreme Court said the other
as he reached out a greeting hand to
the girl who appeared beside the foot
board.
After a few minutes young Windon
came back to the tonneau carrying a
lamp, the light of which fell squarely
upon the clear, oval face and shining
It was like an old Rembrandt of a
famous beauty, and it engaged the at
tention of the Judge at once.
"Mr. Holiness batteries have given
out, but l think can resuscitate them
| if can find some ammonia up at the
doctor's," reported the young lawyer.
There's the usual f1ve-pint bottle of
| the stuff in the large closet in the Of
| flee and I'll go up and get it, said An
ME, turning away from the car.
''Why not let her stay here and you
get it?" asked the judge of Windon.
Much better asserted he, as he
disappeared into the dusk.
you can bang around all you like,
| Charlie, for nothing will waken father
when he's as tired as he is tonight"
was the girls parting suggestion
"Open the door and let her get in
here and sit down." ordered the judge
| in his court voice, adding. land let me
introduce Mr.. James Parsons, who is
the silent shade in the front seat
| The silent cells were soon soaking
/ in a solution of ammonia and water
| and Windon and the clergyman were
deep in the discussion of the compare
tive merits of four cylinders and six
cylinders and of chain drives and shaft
power where they sat on the grass by
the pan of seething batteries.
| :I wonder If you'll pardon the I'M
warrantable interference of an old
man who admires your lover" inquir-
ed the judge.
SCI can tell better when I hear 1t,
cautiously replied Annie.
| Spoken like a lawyer little girl, ;"
exclaimed the venerable man. But
| Mr. Garfield tells me that he is a kind
| of a father to the young man who
thinks he can start this ministerial
machine and he has ventured to ac-
quaint me with Windows faithfulness
to you"
/ HE is the best boy that ever lived.
sir, and I'd do anything for him that
Ihe asked me- declared she.
THAT promise will do for begin
ming, Miss Annie, and now If you'll
I1ean a little farther back SO Mr.. Can
field can join in our deliberations I
think the three of us can help the
iyoung man to very great prize,
chuckled the Judge.
An animated conversation followed
Iher compliance with this injunction,
but the shrewdness of the old jurist
was put to the test as he tried to
argue for literal obedience to the old
doctors demand rather than a sur
lrender to the spirit of the girls en-
forced promise when under pressure.
! After a little the answers of the
maiden became shorter and less Wig
orous and by the time the reinforced
batteries had been replaced in the car
land a fairly good ignition promised
progress the weight and pertinence of
his adroit pleading had so reached the
llady's heart that he said.
! "CaI1 windon here minutei And.
lCanfe1d, you stand by Miss Annie If
The doesn't come to his senses prop
erly.'
| There was a short conference be-
tween Annie and her lover. I'VE can't
do it, dearest for haven't any
license" said Window
! At can assist in that matter" said