The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-14
TIE EVENING STORY
Vere.s VACATION.

Vere's Vacation.
| (By Belle ManiateS.)
! Girls, We're says she is going to the
| country for a rest!"
| Helen poised her paint brush re-
| hectiveIy in midair, while Margaret
| stopped in the act of squeezing a de-
pleted tube of vermilion.
81 am of the opinion, resumed
confines of art. but from Cary War
| borough"
poor Cary!" sighed Helen.
mol" protested Constance. Poor
Verel She lacks the courage to come
out resolutely and tell him she'll have
none of him.
II think.'' said Margaret thought
| fully. that secretly We're cares for
him"
TITS not" quoted Helen, THAT she
| loves Cary less, but art moro. She
Further discussion was postponed
by the entrance of the subject of their
remarks, a charming young girl with
golden hair and a dream centered
face.
81 am going away to the country"
she announced.
''Where?" asked Helen succinctly.
ITO farm near Chester, little
added. don't tell any one. You see
I don't want to receive letters even.
1 want a complete rest
The girls maintained a gravity of
countenance in spite of the ludicrous
idea of Vere'S needing resi-.
Mora Lynne told me about the
place, the Locke farm with big,
comfortable farm house. she stayed
there last summer She said there
was nothing to do there bu. rest
you will soon tire of it :" prophe-
sled Helen.
Maybe suggested Margaret, you
will meet your fate-in a corn field
and settle down to a life of rural
domesticity.''
IF I were going to marry" main
tanned We're, Il should choose poor
mana farmer, maybe. Then l could
still pursue my art A rich man
would expect me to enter upon life
of social duties
you ought to give Cary a hint of
the way you feel. 1 think he would
be willing to forego his millions Tor
the sake of winning you"
We're looked annoyed and bade
them an abrupt adieu.
The three artists missed their
young companion during the next
few weeks Unlike them she MADE
frequent incursions into a gay LIE,
and brought an occasional flash OF
color into the drab of their life: 80
when she returned suddenly and I'M
announced one day, she received
heartfelt welcome.
you are certainly rested com
mented Margaret, looking searchingly
into the glowing young face.
'Oh. girls! I have had such a love
Iy time. The scenery was beautiful
oh. the woods in autumn!"
did you paint anything? asked
Helen.
MO she hesitated. Margaret
she resumed, turning to the most
sympathetic of the three. 81 did just
what YOU prophesied. I lost my heart
And I am going to be married. He
says I may have studio in our house
and paint all I like.
Brushes and palettes were excitedly
laid aside.
TELL us all about it, Is he a farm
er? Was it love at first sight?"
For two weeks I revealed, idling
out of doors, and the farm was an
immense one-not a neighbor within
four miles. In all these weeks of do
ing nothing I saw no one but Farmer
Locke. his wife and their son, a lad
of 10, and the help"
Then" exclaimed Constance, unless
your swain is the hired help you have
known him only a week."
lone BEAUTIFUL day continued We're, |
with Tommy Locke to have luncheon
in the woods. Mrs. Locke put US
I'D a basket of good things, but Tom !
my proposed building a fire and roast |
ng corn. went forth to forage in the |
fields and left Tommy collecting brush
wood.
Il went through fertile acres until |
came to a field of waving corn. The
numerical rows of sturdy stalks
made shaded little avenues, and in
he fun of walking down them 1 forgot
what 1 had come for until heard a
,ustling and the sound OF the STRIP
oing of the husks.
I'm the fourth row from me L saw
another invader-a man-standing, tan
md straight. I turned and fed"
what, from a MANI" cried Con-
stance, incredulous.
He might have been the owner OF
he field. and would have been
.aught red-handed. I hurried back to
Tommy. who scoffed at my fears, and
We traded jobs. 1 wasn't much or
uccess as a fire-builder. While was
boxing away, 1 heard a deep voice be-
lind me say That is mans pro
rince. you know. Give me the STICK.
turned and saw the big, broadshoul-
Tered man of the cornfield- He was clad
'oughly, but his voice and manners were
gentlemanly. He explained that ne nae
he lad had told him he was getting the
,orn for his pal who was back In tne
woods. He came in search OF me, sup
,anion. He had sent Tommy up to MS
louse Che has a housekeeper or tenant
n something) for some salt and butter
HE built a roaring fire, and we set the
able in the woods, and when Tommy re-
urned we roasted the corn and had
oily luncheon. Then we all went home,
9FWelI, what then-did he propose on the
way home in spite of Tommy's presence?'
NO; there followed week of beautifu.
walks through the woods, moonlight rides
n the river, and oh, well, told him last
light would marry himl came horne
oday to tell you ALL
'.Vere' demonstrated Margaret. you
ant tell about a man in a week.
Wait until you see him before you pass