The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-09
The EVENING STORY
In Stress of Pity.

work is work, but picnics is only
picnics," summed up Aunt Hepzloaiii
tartly. I'm going to town and you II
stay here and do that lronih 50 uon
let's have another word about IL
Barbara Larsen stood, meek and
submissive. bravely holding back the
tears till her aunt's gaunt form nao
turned down the road and disappeared
trolIeyward. Then she threw hersel
down in the old rocker and sobbed un-
restrainedly.
She had told Jasper Burnham she
was eoing-Jasper, who had never be-
fore mustered up courage to ask her
to so anywhere And now he'd think
she was doing it on purpose-that she
she rose at last. The ironing must
be done. But as she reached the
kitchen door some hayward impulse
turned her steps and forced her up
into her own tiny bedroom, Where lay
in all their DEAR seductive glory her
s'best things that she had lad out
ready to wear. Sobs shook her anew
as she gazed at them. She moved
over to the bureau and opening the
bottom drawer took from 1t SHINING
length of ribbon that matched the lit
tie rosebud on her dress
With a sudden impulse she began to
unlock the unbecoming brown ging-
ham that was her invariable weekday
garb.
I'll try them on, anyway SIG A0
solved.
FULLY arrayed, the pink ribbon
cleaning around her waving brown
hair, she surveyed herself with
mournfu1 satisfaction She hadn
known she could be so pretty She
looked longingly out at the radiant
afternoon. Swinging down the road,
with furtive, bashful chances toward
the house, came Jasper. Barbara's
heart beat hard. Turning, she ran
down the stairway and out on the
Vine-covered porch
I'll lei him see I was ready, any
vvav." she. thought defiantly, land then
he'll think something happened after
ward
Jasper paused uncertainty at the
gate.
Coming he called.
Barbara looked up the road and saw
the other girls chattering along with
their swnethearts, all bound for the
great picnic of the year Then she
looked again at Jasper. Shyness, in
was overpowering him. He had turn
ed to 60. Barbara's heart gave an
agonized throb.
yes" she called suddenly.
She ran down the path, through the
gate and paused beside him. Without
a word he started on, hands plunged
deep in his pockets, speeches. ana
overcome by his own daring Barbara
walked beside him with downcast eyes.
Presently, stealing glance at her,
he saw the signs of tears on her race.
A rush of plying indignation banished
seff-consciousness for the moment.
s.Who's been hurting you?" he de-
manded.
''Then what've you been crying
for?"
Ia cf9n1n1ere0.
A sudden, terrifying sense of what
she had done overwhelmed her. Then
the sound of happy, laughing voices
behind brought a wave of defiant ex-
.sWhatn she do?' asked Jasper
II don't know-don't let's think
about it." she begged.
But Jasper's mind chung to the sub
ject.
don't you leave? She's not your real
aunt is she?"
mo, but she took me when I was
little, and she's kept me and raised
me. and all for nothing"
For nothing, yes, and you've work
ed like a slave for her. She couldn't
pay a hired girl to do what you've
DONE" avowed Jasper heatedly.
AS silence fell his shyness returned
He walked awkwardly, kicking at the
stones in his path or switching aim
lessIy at the tail reedy growth by the
roadside. When they reached the pic
mic ground, a wide, cleared space IN
the woods by a rushing stream, he
withdrew to a distance and Barbara
joined a group of chattering girls by
one of the swings.
He kept shyly apart from her dur
ing the afternoon, though his eyes fol-
lowed her everywhere with a dumb
worship. When twilight came and
they began to flock homeward in chat
tering groups of twos and threes, Bar
bara had an instant's pang lest he
should fail her, but moment later he
fell into step at her side.
With the homeWard walk came back
the crushing fear of what might befau
her as a result of her disobedience
She knew only too well the harsh i'll
temper of her aunt She Jagged more
and more slowly, till all the happy,
laughter-loving crowd had left them
Jasper Jagged even one step slower,
seeming Ioath to bring the silent walk
to an end Yet the twilight, the soli-
fairness the very nearneSS to the OBJ
iect of his devotion bred in him par
alyzing shyness, a very agony OF self
consciousness. Never, perhaps, would
he have a chance like this again. yet
the very thought of speaking. of even
reaching out and touching the little
hand that swung near him, brought
the perspirat ton in great beads to his
brow.
Barbara, with the growing intuition
Of awakened Womanhood, vaguely
realized all this.
AS they came in sight of the house
her heart bexan to beat painfully. She
moved closer to Jasper.
I'm frightened" she whispered.
Tor the second time that day fire
Of Indignation swept Jasper's self-con-
sciousness from him. His hand went
out suddenly and grasPed her small
one.
.'Don't you be afraid" he said eooth-
ingly-