The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-03
Tm EVENING STORY
Heads and Hearts.
(Ry Relle Maniates. }

| It seemed to We're as she stood at
the little mullioned window of the
farmhouse, that all the snow clouds of
a century had gathered to send long,
| singing slants of frozen sleet to the
already white ground. She turned in
relief to the big, pleasant room with
its cracking open fire and resolved
not to look out of the window again.
But there was little else to do. She
had arisen that morning long befoI
daybreak in order to get breakfast and
drive to town with her parents who
had taken the morning train to Eldred
They had disliked to leave her alone,
but someone must remain at home to
care for the stock and milk the cows
was coming to spend the night
The wind ragged with violence
throughout the afternoon We're sew
ed and read until her eyes ached, and
she welcomed the time for the night
choring. She fairly had to battle her
way to the barn, and it was no small
! task to get the pals of milk back to
the house.
After she had eaten her lonely sup
per the telephone rang and she went
to answer the summons with forebod-
ings. AS she had expected her friend
did not dare to venture forth on such
a wild night.
We're was optimistic. She assured
herself that no tramps or burglars
would modest her She would go to
bed early and on the morrow-here
her heart gave a little leap of mingled
fear and pleasure-there was the big
annual family dinner at the Faulkners
not one of the family to be sure; that
is not yet, but the indications were
that she would be.
Luke Faulkner and his cousin. Joe
Faulkner, were the indications. both
being aspirants for her heart and
hand. 1t was the old story of "how
happy could I be with either" From
a practical, sensible viewpoint. Luke
oil 10th a
titled his well cultivated fields. was
industriou ambitious and progressive.
Vere's level. little head thoroughly
approved of Luke
Joe. on the contrary, was of the hap
py-go-lucky nature that answered to
the call of fishing pool or hunter
horn when there was urgent farm
work to be done; but he had soft.
brown ewes and a warrn-hearted, ire
sistibIe smile that moved We're in spite
of her resolution Heads had been
winning for week back. and the an
nual dinner given this year at the
home of Luke's mother would deter
mine the question. She had promised
Luke his answer on that day, and she
had almost decided 1t should De IN tne
Affirmative She hoped Joe would not
make it hard for her to stick to her
The storm ragged throughout the
night and the next morning she look
ed out on miniature snow mountains
She became apprehensive as to her
means of exit for their farm was In
a valley surrounded by hills. She call
ed UP the neighbors by telephone and
learned that her road was already inn
passable from drifts She telephoned
her predicament to Luke,s motner'
who was the most profuse in express
sions of regret.
Her inventory of her 1arder revealed
the, fact there was nothing cooked or
baked in store, for her mother expect
ed to be home on the morrow:
TO eat simple nam
and egg dinner" she told herself
About II O'Clock there came Wig
door. which she FASTENED joyfully to
omen. The welcome visitor was Luke's
hired man.
81 was jest two hours a gittin' down
here. He'd to come afoot- cant gee
q team through. Luke sent you
BASKET Of dinner and this ere note
after he had departed, We're read
the note. ..1+ hos
snoi1ed our dinner that you can't be
Tlith rs / am sending you few
things for your dinner, as I hear your
folks are away. Sorry can e-,ss1 I
over. but this is our busy aaS &C +bis
come for my answer as sooh %
In the basket was a chicken dressed
and ready to bake a mince plej
s11gared doughnuts, a layer CAKE anu
s+eved cranberries-
ar was thoughtful of him" she sald.
With a little throbbing in her veins
wish he had come himself suppose
he couldn't miss his dinner party
though. Wonder if Joe will get there
ne r111st be showed in worse than any
w With a sigh she went to work to
prepare her solitary meal.
IT will get the best meal-a company
z;,,,,a,. ana set the TABLETOP Luke. too.
a place opposite mine, ana maybe ne
will be here in spirit.
She nut the chicken in the oven to
roast made hot biscuits. cooked a
golden squash and proceeded to set the
table with the best linen ana dlsnes-
When dinner was ready she neal ~ an AZ
other loud stamping. This time on the
sT1,lra has reconsidered and come"
she thought as she few to the door
There. painting. smiling, rosy-cheeked
and snow-covered. stood Joe. With a
1T was hotter work than last years
harvesting" he laughed.
How did you happen to come, Joe?
And aren't you going to your aunt
IT heard you were showed in and
alone 1 wasn't going to let you eat
alone I took shovel and tunnelsd my
wav through
II looked in the cupboard q while ago
and found there was nothing So
planned a ham and egg dinner Think
Of the dinner your aunt will havev'
s'T don't care if you have only bread
and water If you will share it with
me. Vere.'
Il was only joking. Joe. Luke sent me
down a chicken dinner this morning
It is all ready to sit down to-"
Joe looked disconsolate.
what a chump ami Mother has
stacks of things and I might have
brought YOU dinner as well as not.