The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-09
TIE EVENING STORY
The Surprise.

SiNH engineers, mad charge OF the
work OF the small dam on the west
side OF the mountain. Their nearest
| nelghbor, not counting the band OF
young Italian laborers over whom
| they exercised absolute if not always
acceptable domination, was Abigail
Jones. She presided over the little
schoolhouse on the east side of the
| mountain, five miles over rough
roads from the shack that Phil Crane
and Edward Sterling were forced to
| conducted by a young Italian. But
Abigail, though she lived alone in a
rough little schoolhouse, kept house
in accepted, civilized manner. She ate
on a real dining table, covered with
linen cloth and lighted by shaded
candles; she used silver knives and
forks and spoons and served coffee in
real cups and saucers. All of this to
the engineers who enjoyed none of
these delicacies in their shack, was
delightfully."- reminiscent of home and
the city.
Every Sunday afternoon in spite of
the worst weather that might pre-
vail, the two engineers rode over the
mountains to the schoolhouse to
spend the afternoon and to be urged
to supper by Abigail Jones.
Its funny how that little old maid
OF schoolteacher can mean so
much to a fellow, isn't it ?" Edward
asked one Sunday.
Not when she is the only woman
you have talked to for three months"
grumbled Phil Its a pity they
wouldn't put US fellows on a decent
job. This ride over the mountains is
getting positively dangerous with all
this Ice and snow, and when the
spring thaws come I don't see how
we are going to manage"
you don't have to come, Phil" said
Edward
Its the same as having to. I
couldn't live without seeing a girl
once in while.'
''She is not exactly a GIRL objected
Edward
ST wonder how she would size up in
civilization, PHIL said Edward,
whose thoughts had evidently been
focused on Abigail during their
silence. 81 have tried to imagine her,
say, at college dance or in a hotel
tea room" Edward was anxious to
hear Phils words of commentator.
Il wonder how she would size up next
to your sister or mine"
size up next to her. said Phil bluntly,
Having to teach school and keep
house in that old shanty with their
nearest neighbor miles away"
"she is what you would cali
'plucky,'" said Edward, putting
world of admiration in the way he
pronounced the word "plucky." Then
he began again fishing for PhiPs ap-
prevail Did it ever occur to you
that she is what some people might
call pretty?"
ct don't know that I ever thought
of it that way" admitted Phil. "She
says she has a pretty sister, though"
he added
That night after Phil and Edward
had left Abigail stood for minute
at the door watching the strong and
vigorous young figures of the engi-
neers as they rode away, their silhou-
cites standing out clear in the moon
light against the snow covered road.
She closed the door with SILVER.
AS she Strengthened up the piles of
the sofa pillows on the lounge she
laughed aloud. Its funny" she
thought, chow those boys count on
this little recreation. 1t is too bad
am not more of girl, and they
are such nice boys
She stole into her little bedroom
that adjoined the living room and re-
turned with a worn black wallet.
Then with hand that trembled with
the excitement of anticipation she
telling her as usual of the simple
events in her humdrum life. At the
close of the letter she wrote: "I in
close forty dollars. which I wish you
would spend to make me very happy.
The way to do it is to employ a sub
and buy a ticket for yourself and
come here to see me. Please come
as soon as you can. -
AS Abigail finished the letter she
could see in her minds eye the fair
hair and delicate features of the little
sister as she had seen her six months
before. Perhaps" she thought, this
will rest her from the hard life in the
office. She will appeal to Edward"
Before the next Sunday work on
i - 4 l.
a chance for one of the engineers to
go home for a week. 1t was Edwards
turn for rest but for a motive which |
was not entirely one of unselfshness
he agreed to let Phil go in his place. |
So it was, that on the following Sun
usual. Edward rode alone over the |
mountain to the schoolhouse.
Edward. I am so glad you came"
Abigail told him as she opened the /!
door and saw that Phil was not with
him. She helped him of with his snow
covered coat. 'I have a great surprise |
for you" she said. ''Cornelia,'' she |!
called by way of explanation.
Here I am!' came the reply in crisp. |
accents, and the surprise |
lodged out from the kitchen.
In glance Edward took her in-the !
fair hair. the frank blue eyes, the pref
~ up-turned face, the high-heeled |
slippers, the tight, modish frock-she
was pretty and she was young.
"Geev' exclaimed the surprise, shak-
ing her little fingers in the air, but
my fingers are cold. This living in
the wilds is fierce" Abigail mumbled |
4 few words of introduction.
Where is your friend, Mr.. Sterling?"
asked Cornelia. abigail told me all |
about you boys. You are Edward,
aren't your" she said with a giggle
hat was contagious, and seemed to
put Abigail and Edward at their ease.
Cornelia tried her best that evening. |
She told her funniest stories; she re-
all the theatrical attractions
she had seen in the city and some she
had not; she sang a few of the song