The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-24
THE EVENING STORY
An old-Fashioned Flower.

could keep her out of sight until the
COPYRIGHT dance is over, Eve.
Evelyn did not answer. She was
reading the little family scented noI s
once more She had never dreamed
that Charity Warren would ever nave
accepted her half-hearted invitation,
and come clear from Fairville, VI,
down to Pinehurst, Ga, to spend
Thanksgiving.
either" went on Doris. mo snow,
harvest home festivals, barn dances,
sleigh rides; nothing but US and the
hotel. Whatever will we do with her,
Eve?"
How old do you suppose she is?
Sixty?"
Doris laughed at the woe-begone
expression on Evelyn's pretty face.
mo. She's thirty-two, think. Ask
father"
when the girls broke the news and
shook his head.
''BIess my heart, children, don't
ask me. She's the only child of old
Jed Warren, I know, my father
cousin. Rather distant, but all in
the family. Treat her as nicely as you
know mind. Cousin Jed gave me a
royal time years ago up in the old
Vermont mountains. Never tasted such
maple syrup in my life. Fine horses,
too, Jed had. Be nice to his little
girl, Doris
..That's all the comfort he'll give
US, Eve" Doris pouted. Men never
understand delicate situations"
Evelyn, twenty-four, and sef-pos-
sessed, handled the situation as the
major would have done. The little
country cousin would arrive the
day before Thanksgiving. The major
was busy entertaining young Buell.
Carteret, the western judge, who had
turned old politics upside down like
+ WORKOUT basket in his state, and
shaken out all the rubbish of years.
Doris was taken up with prepara-
tions for the dance. and Evelyn saw
that a suite of pleasant rooms was
set aside for Charity. A group of
northern friends had arrived from
New York, and she found she could
not meet her cousin, but the major
readily agreed to pick her up" in his
own trap.
Yes, but he's picked up Judge Car
teret, too" said Doris, catching fly
ing glimpse of them as she hesitated
on the broad veranda. Il hope he
doesn't fall in love with Charity
When the Northern express drew
in the sun had just slipped behind
the shoulder of Big Tumble noun
tain. The great pines on its uplifted
the vivid sky. Lonely enough it
looked to Charity as she stepped
down from the sleeper, and the very
first face that met her eyes was
Buell's. Before the major could intro
duce himself the judge was before
him, hat off, all his heart in his eyes,
as he seized Charity's little hand.
Know her?" he exclaimed after the
half-laughing explanations. why. L
learned all 1 know in ola Jeu Warren's
law office up in Fairville, major. He
took me one day when 1 strolled into
town with nothing but violin and my
mothers Bible to carry me through the
world, and he put me on my feet. Little
Miss Charity, here, was about seven
then, I guess. I was a big country
gawk of eighteen. Remember me, Miss
Charity?"
Charity looked up at him shyly. but
with a CLEAN of fun in her soft gray
blue eyes.
II remember that you never called
me Miss Charity then, Buell.
But, bless my heart, child, don't you
know he's the rising judge of the mid
die west" exclaimed the major. I'VE
have to treat him with respect, and I'll
wager my best fox hound you never
were called Buell. east of the Cumber-
land before, Judge.
."But I have north of the Berkshires,'
laughed Carteret.
After the first shock of seeing Charity
on friendly terms with the lion of Pine
hurst, the girls corralled her in her own
eye could find no fault with her. this
little distant cousin from the maple
sugar state. She was as graceful and
well poised as one of her own deer,
eyes gray-blue and heavily fringed, fair
hair wound in broad plaits about her
head, and little curly wisps escaping
here and there. Besides, she had dim
pies, and a little denaure one-sided smile
that disarmed criticism.
But where and how did you ever
surprise. DO you know how wonderful
he is, and that even father thinks he IS
the coming man of the country"
MY father thought that years ago"
said Charity, happily. We've always
believed in Buell.
way down here from the wills of Yer
mont
"Oh. FairvilIe's quite a good-sized
town." interposed Charity loyalty. And
we've got a new public library this
year"
well, you are certainly darling,
and we're mighty proud to have you IN
the family" cried Evelyn, clasping her
arms around the little northerner. "And
I guess you'll have to lead the cotillon
since you know the judge
ooh, but I don't know how to lead
anything" laughed Charity. "And I'll
think I'd better walk behind you,
Cousin Eve"
She did walk behind Evelyn at the
dance, but beside her was Judge Car
teret. and during most of the even
ing. Only Evelyn saw them slip into
the moon lit gardens toward midnight
ana she said nothing. If there was a
little pang of heartache for the hand
some young westerner, she smothered
IT loyalty. 1t was a good thing he
was even to be in the family, she told
herself.
out on the broad terrace looking
seward the judge asked Charity ques-
tions, several of them.
at was about "a when 1 went west
wasn't T. and you were IL, Charity;
just little girl? Why wouldn't you