The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-20
THE EVENING STORY
Two of a Kind.
(By Mary Westcott.)

the ground of their eight weeks &C
quafntance she had volunteered to take
charge of porch and house and sleeping
baby within while Mrs. Catherine
Grahame shopped in the city, prepar-
ing for her husband, Alan Grahames
return from his seasons western bust
ness trip.
A man with a suitcase turned eagerly
into the walk. disregarding Kathryns
| unresponsive look
I'm Allen Grahame,'' he volunteered,
land is this Catherine ~
Kathryn started. Even Catherine
Grahame still hesitated over using her
first name. However, she could hardly
snub her friends husband. Leading
the way indoors she said simply:
What a pleasant surprise for Cath
crime Grahame!'
Allen Grahame, cousin and chum of
the still absent Alan, smiled at her
gratefully. Three years of mining en-
cheering in Europe leaves man anx-
ious as to his welcome from the girl
his best friend had married in the in
tervaI. Now, everything was going
splendidly. He gave a sigh of relief as
he looked around the pretty room.
II tell you when ones knocked about
everywhere, it's good to have a glimpse
of real home again.
Poor man, he must be glad to be
back.' Kathryn thought. She was
3
sence when she heard a cry from Dot,
and hurried upstairs to her.
Allen, waiting below, smiled at the
soft, small sounds which drifted down.
How adorably tender her voice was
AS she came down the staircase, the
baby on her arms. she seemed the en-
bodiment of radiant motherhood
isn't she a fine girl for seven
months?''
Perhaps, now you've come" she
added diffidently, I'D better leave her
with you and
"Oh, please don't" he entreated,
aghast. This was being made a home
with a vengeance. 4 haven't touched
a kid for so long"
II suppose it does seem a good while
to you" Kathryn admitted. She was
about to allude to his five months alb
sence.
Naturally you've been eager to see
Catherine she remarked in the sue
ceeding silence. With Dot wriggling in
her clasp she could achieve nothing less
trite.
Allen beamed, thinking what a child
like. charming trick she had of speak
ing of herself in the third person.
"Oh, every one says she's 'Alan's
IDOL he answered heartily, land I
guess she deserves to be-
She smiled frankly at him. She
liked his speaking so of his wife. He
Was really very ike MS picture there
on the desk. only his chin seemed
stronger and his hair a nicer, wavy
brown.
oh there's a draught right on baby,
Would you please close the Window"
He sprang up, stopped half way and
stumbled into a chair Kathryn looked
on wondering.
Pardon me. I breakfasted at this
morning and pushed straight through
with no time for eating till I got here
and there seems to be no lunchroom in
this village
Kathryn. Mortified, barricaded Dot
with chairs. Then from refrigerator
and pantry she assembled a collection
Of relics-some fragments of chicken. a
glass of milk. a dried-up scrap of pie
a bit of oily cheese. Allen helped,
keeping a cautious eye meanwhile upon
the baby. He was disagreeably sur
prised at his hostess's slowness and
awkwardness in her own kitchen. She
in turn wondered at his failure better
to recognize his own furniture even in
this new house.
She presided over his meal while the
baby in her lap guzzled al a bottle of
food. They found much to talk of. He.
it appeared had travelled in Europe
recently. Strange, thought Kathryn.
that his wife had not mentioned it,
She. the converse ton revealed was a
college woman of broad interests AL
len had fancied from A1ans account
that Catherine Grahame had been an
everyday, charming society girl.
When he had eaten everything
Kathryn carried the dishes to the
kitchen table. They made quite pile.
There, she thought, ''Ill rush these
through for Catherine Grahame in a
thrice if her husband will watch the
baby
But Allen vigorously protested:
mo. ma'am! I'll wash and you can
wipe. My mother taught me to be handy.
I suppose you've grown used to watching
Dot and doing your work." Allen COM
babies before?"
ssoh, Dot is the first I've really known"
That, thought Allen lis flat thing
mean it for a joker
You seem very devoted" he agreed. |
lamely. Where was all their bright talk !
of few moments since? He raked his
brains for an idea.
Pleas siia Mr. Grahame s will you open
hardly see what I'm doing
please say AIlen.'' he entreated as he |
Its SO much more homelike' |
She felt taken aback.
Does travelling always make ones ways |
so swift she parted:
you?'' he insisted.
Some time, perhaps-with your wife's
approval
wait long time He felt puzzled and
hurt by this sudden, unnecessary prudery;
We Deen hoping we might De SOoO
friends he volunteered
II should be delighted she replied. |
stinly. She felt very uncomfortable now /
alone with the man whose honest gray
eyes looked courteously, even reverently,
at her, and whose audacious tongue dared
such impossible speeches. She rose abrupt
ly to carry the dishes to the dining /
room. If only Catherine Grahame would
come and let her escape. Softly she step
ped to the front door. Yes, that was Mrs
Grahame way down by the station Like
a flash kathryn Dale flew homeward
across the road
Allen meanwhile watched the baby