The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-27
TIE EVENING STORY
Romance in a Plain Family.
(By Virginia Blair.)

| come TO other people, but we get up
in the morning and go to bed at night.
and I sometimes think there isn't
much use in it ALL"
Mr.. Bivins waited until he. had
sliced the ham before he remarked,
You are the best cook in the coun-
| ty."
'sWell, a boiled dinner doesn't re-
quire much Skill" said Mrs. Bivins,
but her plup figure relaxed a little.
ST just wish we could have something
different to eat"
Now what has happened to upset
you, mother" Mr.. Bivins asked. 1T
amt just your days work that has
got you all worked up like this"
mo. it amt" Mrs. Btvins admitted.
"I got a letter from sister Jane, and
they're going to get an automobile
and it Just seemed as if-well, as If
we never had anything
Mr.. Bivins helped himself to cab
bage thoughtfully. We've got each
other" he ventured.
"Of course we have" said his wife
sharply, land you know | wouldn't
give you up, Thomas. for all the auto
mobiles in the world. But, gracious,
too"
Mr.. Bivins cut another slice of
ham Some men would have felt
hurt. but he knew his wife. It was
When Mrs. Bivins rose from the
table she pointed to the ham LOOK
at all that she moaned, "we1l have
to eat and eat to make any impression
on it,
open e door. T wish you'd let me try
to make an impression on it."
The Bivinses turned, and beheld
travel worn little creature. She had
on a dust colored coat ana a oust
coIored hat and a dust colored ven,
and you couldn't see the color OF her
aI,no starved" she said, my auto
mobile broke down and I've walked
two miles"
Bivins flew to help her.
sfWhy, poor lamb" she said, dis
tractedly to her husband, she's faint.
Get a glass of water, Thomas, and III
unite her VEIL"
Relieved from her wrappings, the lit
tie LADY, proved to be daintily beauti-
full She had on an exquisite white
gown. three diamond rings and silk
stockings.
All this Mrs Bivins told her husband
while the little lady washed in the
best bedroom and smoothed her hair
And 1 said nothing ever happened"
said the excited Mrs. Bivins, land here
comes a fairy princess right to our
door, and I do believe she's running
away from somebody"
well, now" said the amazed Mr..
Bivins, did you ever?"
The little lady at the table ate with
zest. 1--WE never have anything in
town which tastes quite like a country
ham, and your homemade bread and
jam-oh, Mrs. Bivins, do you know I
am almost starved?'
Mrs. Bivins face shone. well, now"
she said, I'm sorry to have to offer
you a boiled dinner"
The little lady looked at her re-
proachfully, "a boiled dinner" she
said, ''why, Mrs. Bivins, if you hadn't
called it that should have said it was
ambrosia.'
Thomas Bivins chuckled you see.
mother" he said, "'I have always said
you were the best cook in the country"
Mrs. Bivins held up her hand.
Hush" she said,'' I hear somebody
coming. H4
The little lady started to her feet
Cant you say that you didn't see
me" she began then as tall fig |
ure doomed in the doorway, she turned |
white and whispered: TITS too late"
WELL" he said briefly. i've found
you"
She seemed to brace herself to an
swer. Then suddenly a smile curved her
lips. She waved her hand over the |
table. Come and have something 10 |
eat" she coaked. THE ham is perfectly |
delicious-and oh. George, you never i
ate such bread and JAM
set place for you
The man hesitated, then capitulated. |
Gee, but I'm hungry" he say boy
ish1y, and Mrs. Bivins heaped his plate. |
The two old people sat together on the
back porch and watched the little new
moon over the tops of the trees
Within the man said, For heavens
sake, Beatrice. what made you do it ."
Run -away?'' she asked. "Oh, Geor-
gle, I was tired of 1t all. Tired of the
rush and whirl-I can't stand 1T
can't stand being separated from you
by your clubs and my bridge parties.
I made up my mind that you didn't
care what I did, and so I had Otto
drive me as far as the main road
went, and then I left the machine and I
came over here. and thought that
that if you didn't find me-pd get
something to do somewhere-and you
could go on having good times and
flirting
Her husband interrupted her with a
savage exclamation.
stop" he said. did you think I
could love anyone but you? Don't you /,
suppose that hate all the things that
pull us apart? But man doesn't talk
about what he feels like a woman
does''
Their voices floated out to the porch.
where the old couple sat. Mrs Bivins
leaned forward and looked into her I
husbands face. Are you like that.
she demanded.
Her husband nodded.
But if I had dreamed" the voice ,
went on within, that you were grow !,
ng desperate-that you suspected me {
,f-not earning-oh, girl, why didn't I