The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-04
THE EVENING STORY
Wins Haynaking.
(By Belle Manlates. )

down to the station to see Katherine
off. They had been playmates,
schoolmates. sweethearts and this was
their first separation. Katherine was
going to pay visit to some rich reIa-
tives in the city, and Win was man
fully struggling to sympathize with
her FEELING of JOY at getting out of
her shell and seeing the world
The raucous voice of the conductor
shouted the ''all aboard the bell
changed like a knen on Wins ears,
and then the train pulled out with
Katherine waving a CHEEKY farewell.
He drove home by the light of the
harvest moon, the reins listIessly sag
ging on the broad back of the farm
horse When he had embarrassed, he
went to his old favorite haunt on the
river bank in the woods, his think
ing OUT place.
Katherine was bright and progress
i've He must try to keep pace. He
would bridge over the coming six
months by going away to study new
methods of farming that he might put
nuder scientific culture the 80 acres
put this plan into immediate execu-
ton, and went to an agricultural col
lege for a short, special course.
When the Christmas holidays came,
he could not resist a flying visit to the
city where Katherine was visiting.
W 4LAOOl AOb4lS lib her Oh Ills COU1luS
he appeared suddenly and unan-
nounced before her, as she sat, beauti-
ful and bewitching, the center of a
coterie of admirers in 2 fashionable
drawingroom.
She had not been communicative in
her letters which had revealed to him
no conception of her environment He
felt i'll at ease and tongue Ntied when
he was ushered into this maze of bril-
lance.
"Oh, Win!" cried Katherine, more in
establishment, he thought, than in
pleasure. She quickly rose to the oc-
casion, presenting him to her aunt and
friend as, The man from home"
They were languidly and politely
patronizing, and Win replied in con-
strained monosyllables to their over
lures. Katherine did not come to his
rescue, but addressed her conversation
for the most part to the others. His
call was not prolonged. When he rose
to depart. she went with him to the
door.
Come again, Win-tomorrow," she
said in a low tone.
But he went from the house to the
station and returned to college to
plunge deeper into the study of farm
ing.
Soon there came a little note from
Katherine reproaching him for not
having called again. In his delayed an
Vel lie Ulc1uS III ASLSISlS6 ~ Ills GALL
Their letters grew shorter and of less
frequent duration until they ceased al
together.
He returned home in time for spring
planting and sought solace in pillow
and burrows. Katherine did not re-
turn until haying time. The next day
after her arrival there was q country
picnic given to welcome her home.
Wins father, mother and sisters
went in the old carryan, waving
merry though quizzical farewell to the
tall, 1.-THE young farmer standing alone
on the porch He had offered as an
excuse for his non attendance that he
feared he would not get his hay in
before it rained.
Rain out of a clear sky!'' scoffed
his youngest sister
THAT is when it is most liable to
come" replied.
They all laughed as they drove away
but the mother heart waswise ~ far
seeing. She gave a yearning, back
ward glance at her favorite child.
When they were out CT sight be re-
turned to the field and worked 1ispir-
itedly until he could endure no longer
the sweet memories that came with the
upturning of the new-mown hay. He
went back to the house, ate the cold
luncheon laid out for him, and then
sought his old retreat on the river
bank. How many battles he had
AOhSll III lAAAS SpOls IlCW OLlSA nau
Katherine come here with him and to
him!
He told himself fiercely that it was
time to crush out these old memories.
A soft footfalI-he looked up and saw
her standing before him
And if the rain should come" she
said archly, "out of a clear, blue sky,
as it always does, what would become
of the hay?"
This is my noon hour Twas just
going back to the fields he said lame
".
She sat down on the bis stone where
she had been wont to sit He made a
swift, comprehensive survey of her.
She looked younger than she had
looked when he saw her in the city.
II came here" she said, ''for a
glimpse of the old house.
This was the longest way to the
house. He advised her. il che had come
by the river, to row little farther to
the next bend where she could have
an unobStructed view.
you seem anxious to be rid of me-
she said deprecatingly, but then you
always did prefer to be alone-in this
place.
you know better" he cried "You
know how we came here together. and
that is why the place is so dear to me
or was until you went away and
everything"
W III she SdAQ SCAl-9 6ltCt AiAO-
ment's pause, in the old days when
we came here, we never Quarreled. If
there was a misunderstanding, We
talked it over
Welt" he said, the words coming
with an effort, what is your side %
win, do you remember, wonder. !
what friends we were. and how told
you over and over that this visit of
mine was to make no difference in me
in us?''
Eyes, L remember he admitted sui
1enly.
when I came here last night I
looked in vain for you. Everyone
used to know came to my picnic save
you=you who stayed al home TO get
In hayl' DO you think that was nice ?'' ]