The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-06
THE EVENING STORY
One Swallow.

weave a yard of carpet, and your rag
balls weigh less than a pound. how
many will 1 need to cover this floor ?
I'm bound to have a new carpet!"
How big is the room?" Fielding
demanded.
Miss Maxwell pursed her lips. IF
my tape measure wasn't lost, we
could find out" she said. "But never
mind right now-Granny Bats will
remember. She remembers every
thing-and it's only six years or so
since she wove what's on the floor"
"Now-about Elinor and me"
Fielding began tentatively.
Miss Maxwell shifted "Wait till
you're good grown up. Tommy" she
said, speaking as though he were 5
years old.
Fielding stood up very straight. 'T
am six foot one, and 22 years DID,"
ne said. But if you insist on my
growing taller I'll do my best pro-
vided you let me have Elinor to keep
house for me-
You know I shan't do that. r
thought too much of your mother"
Miss Maxwell countered. my con-
science wouldn't let me put all Sister
Fielding's fine quilts and silver cake
baskets and real linen sheets in the
hands of that fyaway child. Elinor's
ali the niece I have and she has her
good points-I'm not denying that
but she's not the wife for you for any
farmer, especially if he's as soft as
you are. She needs a lot of money
and man along with it,
"She seems to think I'll do Field
ing said meekly, though with a lurk-
ing smile.
Because you do nothing but
humor and spoil her, besides prom
Using to take her abroad on a we'd
ding trip" Miss Maxwell answered.
oil vof 411o4 r-I,
mite for the education of it-au the
cathedrals and old masters and
crown jewels you could shake a
stick at won't improve her in the
other girls has done more than go
to orleans or New York, or on some
grand excursion, when she got mar
ried. Miss Elinor means to Guido
the last one. Talk settling down ana
saving to her. and see how quick you
get the sack
81 don't think We'll have to come
back to the poorhouse," Fielding said,
his eyes dancing. Maybe I'm con-
ceited. Aunt Bah, but really L think
Elinor cares rather more for me than
for wedding trip
Again Miss Maxwell shifted.
''Humph! OF course. she lets you
think so. She can't go bridal-touring
all by herself
At this Fielding laughed outright
he understood Miss Maxwell rather
better than she did herself. Elinor
was the apple of her eye-she had no
intention of giving her up to any,
body, SO long as she could find a
shadow of excuse for keeping her.
She had spoiled the girl unconsciously,
all the while grumbling a protest
against the spelling. 1 spoke volumes
for Elinor, at least in her sweetheart's
mind. that after such a bringing up,
she was sweet tempered, generous and
not overselfish.
What will you bet I'm wrong?" he
asked. you used to be a game sport.
Remember the red rooster won from
you when I was liit1e?''
81 never remember anything it is
best to forget Miss Maxwell retorted.
Fielding went on: you bet me
the red cock that he couldn't whip
the big doninique-yet he did do it
clean as a whistle-and 1 took him
home in triumph. Mother was for
coming over with me and my prize to
tell you how wicked you had been but
Uncle Joe wouldn't let her. 1 can hear
him now, saying: If Barbara Max
well was just a bit wickeder, she'd be
absolutely perfect BY the way-Un-
Gle Joe is backing me-and says he's
coming to the wedding
Indeed The monosyllable was all
Miss Maxwell vouchsafed.
Fielding gave her a keen look, saying,
"Aunty Bab-it's never too late to mend
nor marry. Why not make it a double
wedding? Uncle Joe is as much in love
er-man."
''F-or the second time" Miss Maxwell
said scornfully.
but he has come back to you each
time " Fielding protested. You're SUI
ficiently adorable now-as my double aunt.
Mrs. Joe Fielding, number three, I'd have
GO along, You are impertinent," Miss
Maxwell said, her face flushed.
saying merrily: How about the wager7
Are you willing to risk Elinor against
Uncle Joe? know that's asking fearfully
What I'd like to know is: what we ara
laying odds on?'' Miss Maxwell said with
her finest scornful air.
tober 49, Fielding said with lifting OF
the brows. you know, don't you've
have set that day."
idiot in the world" Miss Maxwell flung
az him. ,,,o,a,.
answered. making his best bow as he
spoke He turned to go-the door opened opened
before he reached it-E Eli dartea
man of middle age. Her face glowed, her
eyes danced-she was like an elf on mis-
chef te:lt
she cried "a real old friend. He found
me walking in the woods-I couldn't stay
| in the house while you were fighting WITH
all about his wives-how he loved them.
and how lost he felt without them. 1t
STUCK me Iuen hS was liz
to keep you from being lonesome while
we are away. I told him so-flat. He
said you were his first love-out wouldn't
have l9im-and then said. % dearl You
must be a coward-else you'd have mar
ried her out of hand-she never does mean
what she says.
, us that true, Barbara?' the man asked.
the last tremor in his tone, though he
smiled as he spoke
Miss Maxwell looked down. ut is
Sometimes she said. 'tCther times 1t is
not. This is one of them I say flat
you're an old fool
fooI-I was a young fool to let you send