The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-26

TilIy'S Travels.

IIaaVei. she was never entirely happy I'M
iesS she was living in a suitcase and
! rushing for a train or a boat
1t was the fault of her parents in the
neglnning: They had made up their
| MINDS early in their married life that
they would not be stay-at-homes just be-
cause Matilda had arrived to bless their
nearth ana home. They would go when
and where they pleased, as had been their
| custom before the arrival of the wee
daughter, and Matilda should go along as
a part of the baggage
Matilda had gone. She was exactly
three weeks old when she was cuddled up
IN an elderdown quilt and placed in the
tonneau of touring car to travel with
her parents through the mountains on
their summer vacation.
And you must not blame me- mother -
she said now when her parents begged
her to stay at home occasionally 1T is
your own fault-and daddys. You made
me nemad-you traipsed me about from
pillar to post, imbuing me with the spirit
of gypsy when 1 was little and now
you cannot still the longing for travel
Don't cry-please. II! always wander
"Yes-to be content for a few weeks"
sighed her father. You're not a very
satisfactory fireside companion, lilly, my
daughter, are your
Depends on where the fireside is, dad"
laughed Matilda. I'm bully companion
at campfire-for a night" she added;
but just must see the Panama canal
before the locks are filled with water.
It's short trip-twenty-fiv days re-
turn
her mother, wiStfully.
Il know-but suppose it were the dia-
mond mines in South Africa that 1 had
wild desire to see,' argued Matilda.
THAT would be something to worry over
Her father and mother nodded in unison
''Yes-it would, indeed whispered the
mother Heaven forbid you that long
ing.
Diamonds don't interest me-yet,''
ero1s folders and pamphlets on the Pana-
ma canal. And I'm off-next week,
them"
1t was a half question, but both the
father and the mother knew that it was
one that Matilda had already answered
to her own satisfaction. She would 60
the right man would cross their daugh-
ters path and instill a longing for home
in her rowing soul. They, themselves, had
grown tired of wandering and loved their
own hearths.
The big ship which was to take Matilda
to the Panama canal was crowded. In
deed, it was only through influence that
Matilda obtained a passage. She said
goodby to her parents at home, Tor the
girl disliked weepy farewells over the
ships ratings.
A feeling of contentment stole over her
as she ensconced herself in her steamer
chair with her glasses hanging at ner
side, her magazines on her lap and her
cap pulled well down over her curls. The
vibrations of the great engines were
s sim the splashing of the waves, the
smell of fresh paint on the deck
AS soon as possible Matilda always
glanced at her neighbors on oecK ana
occupy the chair next to her own looked
like a good traveller. He wore tweed
coat which hung loosely on ms frame;
his deck shoes were rubb er-soled, his cap
was built for weather and his pipe was
covered with a small silver lid. He looked
interesting if not handsome and Matilda
felt sure she would find him companion
able She was interested in men as com
panions, as travellers, but not from sent-
mental reasons.
And Matilda was no more conventional
about speaking to strangers than were
most travellers. She did not wait for her
hat to blow Other hat never blew or
and she did not surreptitiously drop her
book in the path of the Would-oe &C
quaintance. When she wanted to speak
to a fellow traveller she spoke and she
had never been made to repent OF the
moment.
It was the following day before Matilda !
and her neighbor on deck felt the need or
conversation and when the big man arose |
to promenade and asked Matilda to JOIN
him she did so without hesitancy: She
fitted her boyiSh stride to his and they |
paced the deck for an hour, getting intro |
ductory lights into. the personalities OF
each other: Matilda liked him. John
Margeson liked Matilda.
Its my first trip to the Panama" re-
marked Matilda, but I've had my mind
on coming for ever so long. Mother and
dad aren't hilarious over my travelling
alone, and it takes some time to work
up the family circle into frame of mind |
that will permit me to leave it without
too affecting a scene.' She laughed and |
when her companion Joined her so whole
heartedly in her mirth she turned to him
MY mater is about as bad over my
explained Margeson. THAT
remark of yours fitted SO nearly my own
experience that I had to laugh The mater
doesn't care for my wander1uSt."
Matilda glowed with the joy of being
with this man, who seemed to be akin
to her in her dearest desires ''Oh Pm
know that / never 60 to bed at night
without a suitcase packed and ready
with enough paraphernaha to take me on
ITSELF" Matilda said. It's sort of pitiful,
though, when I think of mother and dad
'fYes-but we must each live separate
life, must we not? I've always been
rover, myself, thanks to the income my
grandfather left me- have business in
1t doesn't need ali the time and l.
don't need the extra where
withal it might bring in IL I We're to
remain in the office and attend to things
you're not typical New Yorker are
''why not?'
MY idea of a born and bred New
Yorker is that, having been fortunate
ne need not travel-it is the one point of
interest. We who originated in the West
Dr. South believe that We must travel to
our minds; that there are other
places besides our native towns" She
ooked up at her companion to see If she ]
lad perhaps, offended him.
II never thought of that. but a New
Yorker is pretty self-satisfied sort of
isn't hep !
Matilda nodded.
Il hope it won't handicap meas a ship ,
BOARD companion
'Oh mol wouldn't have taken you for
,ne in the beginning" Matilda added has
lily.
Being assured that he was not less in t
avor by being a native of Manhattan I
stand John Margeson began to become
ZACH day more deeply interested in Ma ,
Ida He walked with her, talked with ;
ler played deck games with her, laugh
d, danced and sang with her. And later,
yflen the nights became glorious with the
on southern waters, he leaned
,yer the railing with her and felt her