The Topeka state journal., 1911-07-21
THE EVENING STORY
Parker Brothers, Bachelors.
(By Susanre Glenn.1

AOOHl S1lNlCdAly.
Come to think of it, he observed
slowly. things don't look as they did
when mother was here"
Look pretty well considering how
busy we are outside all day" answered
his younger brother William.
That's just the point, VIII We're
used to it, and so we don't notice what
rut were getting into. What we need
| is a woman in the house-I've felt it
for long time. And it appears to me
that, seeing you are the younger and
the handsomer of us it's your duty to
get married. Ever think about 1t 2"
Never" answered William
well, I mean what 1 say. III give
you six months to find a wife. and il
you do not, I'm blamed If I don't get
married myself
go ahead said William
There are plenty of nice girls to
choose FROM" continued Jason. There
is Mary Bushnell, neat, pretty, and
smart as a steel trap. L guess things
would shine with her here!"
when I do get married" William
interrupted curtly, Il shsn choose my
own girI!''
"Oh. to be sure; I just mentioned
her as an example! You'd better think
over what 7 say
To his annoyance. William found
that he did Think But n, of the cap
IT can see what would happen to us
If Mary was to come here" he said
to himself as he hoed corn in the low
er lot that afternoon. 'tShe gave me
her opinion the other evening. She
believes in modern things and means
to do the marrying If ealy is done"
But" whispered a persistent voice,
Mary Bushnell isn't the only girl
who would make a good farmers wife.
Do you mean to say you intend to let
a girls white hands, and bright hair
that is combed as farm women do not
comb theirs. blind you to other
charms ?" continued the voice, mad
deningly. 'She has fine clothes and
a lively time there in town. The
judges family trust her, and depend
on her as if she belonged to them.
What would she care about you and
your quiet, old-fashioned home up
here among the hills?"
William groaned at the impossibility
of it. How had he come to let a slip
of a girl like Lucy Redding get such
a hold on him?
I've just got to forget it," he said
at last. "but I can never marry any
other girl
When William Parker walked, a few
days later, into the judges side porch
and rang the door bell, mis- heart beat
unanimously.
The door opened and the pretty lit
tie maid stood before him.
"Oh, Mr.. Parker, you have brought
more eggs; I am so sorry to tell you
we shall not need theio.'
The eyes she raised to his filled sud-
denly with tears.
what is the trouble ?" asked Will
| liam in his direct manner.
The girl stepped out. closing the
door after her
"Sit down." she motioned to a chair.
''I've just got to talk with someone,
and you-have always been so kind"
William sat down, dumbly
''It really isn't anything so dread
full" she tried to say cheerfully. TITS
simply means that am out Of place!
The family have gone away for Mrs.
RusselPs health, and the house is to
be closed today"
but there must be plenty of other
people who will want you" stammer-
ed William.
''There are no other houses like this,
in this small place, you see" she ex-
planned, smiling at his distress ST
expect to go to work in the factory
tomorrow-you know have my moth
er to care for
But that is impossible" cried Par
ker.
There is a place I could go to, in
the country" she continued, strange
ly comforted by his interest; but
cannot leave mother alone.
"And you would go?" inc-edulously
Indeed yes, if I could!'
Then, Lucy, will you He
paused, confused by his wn audacity.
Lucy looked at him, and a beautiful
blush grew in her cheeks
Can that be true. desr?" he cried,
taking her hands. "I thought I was
too rough and plain for you; I never
dared dream you could care for me.
VIII you marry me today, Lucy, and
let me take care of YOU and your
mofherp,
"oh. no." breathed 1.lcy. mot to-
day!"
''Listen. dear girl. I've loved you
for weeks, but 1 could not bring myself
to tell you because I thought there
was no hope. I cannot have you in
that dreadful factory, child. Come
home with me today, and as soon as
she can get ready we will come back
after your mother
Lucy laughed nervousIy-
But I never heard of sdch a thing"
she persisted
well, you never were married be-
fore, were you?"
Not until he led his Wits into the
pleasant old-fishioned farmhouse, did
William Parked consider tn condition
of his housekeeping.
It ought not to have brought you
here" he said contritelY. until I had
had things put to rights a little, poor
girlI''
but it looks very well considering
the time you spent in the house" de-
lightful roomi"
They went over the house together.
'Oh. I love it already" cried the
girl you've no idea how proud I
am of these lovely oId-fashioned
things"
You must fix things 10 suit your
self" said the husband proudly
II would not change thing for the