The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-29
1w BUEuve S7UnY
Her Big Chance.

Her Big Chance.
nav Laura Adelia Kirkman-)
Amt len was not altogether sur
prised to find Tillie standing peto.e
her ,vsf1 an ofeer OF employment IN
her hand. Deep in her heart she Knew
that she had never tried particu.I1AS
to make home attractive to the ~.
That she was suddenly piun9eo oeR
In regret, counted for little. IL w. Nv"
too late to mend matters.
zone day amt time enough to make
her change her mind in." she TOLD ner-
self sadly when the girl had LETT tne
kitchen. well. the Lord II just. Hes
give me NO .mofe'n deserve.
Yet, as she went about her WORK.
her thoughts insisted upon forming
themselves into hopeful plans which
might make her want to stay.
1T could put the best china on the
supper table tonight she thought
eagerly, land tell her I'm sorry now
II haven't used It right along like
she wanted me to; and could make
her favorite cake. even IL 1t does call
for expensive ingredients. After All.
1t amt wicked to bake rich cake
when you could bake plain
Wicked! All at once she knew that
there was no sin she would not com
init to keep Tillie beside her. What
were goodness and thrift II the house
were songless, laughterless. OF what
value was an inviolated New England
conscience when she should not even
know when spring had come without
Tllie to point out each new bud and
feathered thing to herr
Wont you be sorry when spEine
comes?'' she asked tentatively, as they
nat at the supper table. Don't you
remember how you Used to feed the
phOebes that nestled under your win
dow. last Year,
The girl put down the tea cup which
was half way to her lips. Into her
eyes came q distant, reminiscent. look.
Dear little things!" she exclaimed.
softly. why believe II heard one
the thought OF them brings back the
flowers and the new woods and the
reckless freshetS!"
Aunt Jean leaned across the table.
Then why don't you stay?' she
| urged quickly. "It will all be just
the same this year, Tillie! It will
be better this year: for I'm goin' tn
try and get rid OF some OF my old
fashioned ideas about economy. and
use the best china always like you
wanted mo toAand not keep the lace
pillow shams just for company-and
| use the parlor every day like city
folks"
| Her words were having no effect
upon Title. Although her eyes were
once more far away. a strange, bright
glitter in their depths gave evidence
| of an emotion not called UP by the
mere thought Of spring in the coun-
try. Her next words made clear her
excitement:
But, my chance! Think of my
chance, Aunt Jen! Oh, 1 shall be
rich! I shall succeed in the world!
Surely can afford to give up little
things for that big thing!"
Yes" said Aunt Jen. sadly. Eyes,
Tillie.''
She got up and went into the kitchen
ana began to wash up the pots and
pans Probably never before in her
life had she put these things In the
dishpan before the glasses. cups. sil-
| yer and dishes.
You needn't help clear the table
tonight" she called YEARLY to the
girl.
She was glad when the child had
| gone up to her room.
! "1'll stack these dishes TONIGHT" she
said. absently, not even conscious mat
| stack" was a new verb in her house,
| keeping parlance.
| Then suddenly she lost her 1istlen.-
ness. She sprang erect. She bent TO
q listening posture. her eyes swapping
excitedly.
Phoebe! Phoebe!'' was coming soft
~: Enthusiastically. through the window.
She new to the back door. There
she uttered disappointed 'Oh!"
For, at closer range. the sound had
sharp. metallic tone which branded
It but an imitation Of a bird cali
ooubtless the whistle Of some chfIdss
tin toy. Yes, there. disappearing into
the dusk along the road, was the black
figure Of a boy.
But why not get the toy-whv NOT
buy it--and blow It beneath Tfllie.s
Window came a shocking voice With.
| in her. "Ae11-
Laws!" said Aunt Jen, trembifnr
LAVE, amt such a fool!''
But nope has made more foola than
one. Throwing discretion to the ever
receptive winds, she darted for her
pocketbook and within five minutes
NO .ne wnistie In her hands. Trem-
bhngiy. 81 slipped round the corr.
OF the house and concealed herseif n
the snrubbery beneath Titles WIN
| ooW. Covering the toy with her han6.
tkerchief. she blew into It softly.
Fhoebe! Phoebe!" It called nIair.
lively, for all the world IKE = to-
~ =. .eatnered thing. calling in vain
The ruse was successful. Aimo.t
instantly. Titles figure Was outiinnH
in the window. Then II. darted s-sr
ana ner voice rang through the ho,,.e'
Aunt Jen. Aunt Jen!'
swiftly Aunt Jen lew toward the
nenhouse By the time Title reache6
the kitchen, she was valkinc sIs-Iu
mp the board walk.
well. child ?'' she called back
heard Phoebe! / really diAs
A Phoebe!" cried the Girl
Aunt Jen passed her sconInxfv. ana
went toward the sink
shAW. you couldn't q heard one
lie.a
But did!" insisted the Rfrl ex-
c1tedly. And. oh, auntie, Il brought
back the flowers and woods ana ev-