The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-22
The EVENING STORY
Ann. t,athcr,s laelper.

Gray said he had been transferred
from New York to San Francisco, and
that he was worrying about what to
do with the little home he had bought
at Bredon, a nearby town that boosted
a small college, George had an inspira-
ton.
I'm rent the house myself" said he.
Its just the sort of quiet place I'm
looking for, where L can finish this
story I'm writing"
One September day George estab-
liShed himself in the Gray bungalow
on the outskirts of Bredon. He con-
slUered himself lucky. The house was
charming. He didn't know a soul, so
he need fear no interruption. And he
had thoroughly reliable housekeeper
in the person of middle-aged Mrs.
Bridget MagOon, who had kept his
bachelor apartments in town and
whose only drawback was her moth
eriess grandson. Patsy Leary, aged
tWO-and-a-half years
On the morning after his arrival
George was dwelling on his many
blessings when his reveries were in
terrupted by a quick rap on the screen
door. He looked up to see a young
girl-perhaps just past twenty-a COM
Portable, substantial looking sort of
girl, with fresh color, warm brown
eyes and definite way of doing
things. George could tell that by the
way she put one firm brown hand on
the knob of the door.
May 1 come in?'' she asked. isn't
this the Gray bungalow"
Assuring her that it was. George
stumbled over a. chair in his hurry to |
open the door. He begged her to be
seated and after she had composed /
herself comfortably in one Of the wide /
wicker chairs, he sat down opposite |
her.
You're just the person I want to
see she said, and George felt flat
tered. You see, I'm Miss STAGE, Ann |
STAGE And I'm visiting my brother,
Walter STAGE. came here only a few
weeks. but he wants me to stay the
winter You know, brothers an in
structcr at the college. and like all
the rest of them he's as poor as a
church mouse. SO I told him
wouldn't stay unless / could earn
enough money to take care of my
self I'm not bit clever, and I don't
know how to teach or do anything.
But the other day I had an idea.
Il hate to play cards and 1 love to
take care of children-that's just the
opposite of most of the women about
here. There's card club at least
once a Week-and card parties in be-
tween and trips to town for shopping
and the matinee. And all the girls
who are married to faculty people get
their husbands to take care of their
children afternoons when they want to
have a good time. SO I thought I'D
De not mothers helper. exactly but-a
fathers helper"
Ann ended her recital breathless
and laughing.
isn't it a jolly idea?" she went on
And it isn't n bit expensive for you
'athers. Club afternoons / entertain ,
he children for fifteen cents apiece
md call for and deliver them too.
For a quarter apiece / take them on ,
)ther days-private treatment, you ]
know, and 1 have to charge more, for ]
here aren't so many children those I
lays. J
walters wife knows Mrs. Gray {
lot very well, but they belong to the {
anne club. So she sent me over to 5
zee you. / thought maybe you'd be J
me of my customers"
For the first time Ann stopped long y
nough to let George explain. She 7
ooked at him appealingly from her {
but I'm not Mr. Gray" said 7
George, with real regret. I'm Just [
1r. Walton. The Grays ave gone I'M 5
xpectedly to California, and I've taken !
heir bungalow. You see. write i
tories
"Oh, I'm so sorry" apologized Ann.
1 really beg your pardon
George was casting about for an ex
use to detain the charming Ann. when
'atsy ran into the room. He had -
right blue eyes and bright yellow hair
lis face was pink and freckled and his
ably lips smiled bewitchingly as he ran
Onfidently up to George
"Oh, but after ALL" said Ann. when -
ne saw the boy, maybe you do want =
le. Isn't he a deari" q
isn't he, now2" said George with =
srvor, as an idea for seeing more of u
mn came into his head.
And Mrs. Walton does play cards y
suppose ?" questioned Ann. u
'Why-you see" Numbered George =
Mrs. Walton's not here" g
"Oh!" AIMS monosyllable was COM Y,
rehensive. The scene before her be- n
ime a tragedy. She noted the alb r.
nee of a button on Georges coat
le apparent embarrassment of the big
an who was trying to fill a mothers
lace to the small boy=the child's
eeful ignorance of the whole situa-
On. Mentally Ann dubbed the mother -.
brute.
ssThen you do want me sometimes.
on't you?" she said finally. Il know
could help y u make the boy happy"
Before she went George made ar ~
for her to come every -
orning at 10 to take the cherub Patsy ~
r two hours. I'D rather not have n,
e boy with other children he said al
1nestly. But if you'll just keep him ju
ere at the housewife I try to write vi
hit-it would help me ever so much es
re got very good Irish woman to =.
,ep the house=but she doesn't under N
and much about the little chap I'm a.
raid
you're ever SO good" said Ann.
Ind I'll do my best. What's the
US name ?"
Archibald" replied George content 70
1y. -
George made his plans carefully.
e could rely upon Patsy: the child'si
cabulary included only few words
d he was totally incapable of carry -
2 on any kind of conversation. Mrs. -
agoon was a little more difficult: but 80
ter George had explained that he a =
i arranged to have Patsy absorb a ~
tie education and refinement every re-