The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-20
The E'oening Story
Strawberry Girl.

Strawberry Girl.
(By Dorothy Douglas.)
Anne glanced angrily at the man to
whom she was engaged. His tronical
laugh had Quickened her smoldering
wrath. For several weeks Jim Dalton
had taken pleasure in haunting her
about the interest she had taken in the
movement of advanced wonaanhood.
You couldn't make a living If you
tried" he had said not q moment be-
fore. 1T II easy enough to talk about
these fine theories. but you've got to
fore you can convince me OF this SUI
perior intelligence" Jim's words were
more than half Jest, but his masculine
lack OF understanding did not inform
him that Anne was not in the mood for
jests.
And say that can find some kind
of employme mt in the first newspaper I
pick up" Anne said botly.
You are FAR too pretty to be engaged
as a housemaid," Jim told her frankly.
and you know nothing whatever of
office work. I ely you to get a posi-
ton within two weeks" He was laugh
ing. but Anne knew that he meant ex-
actly what he said.
Hand me that paper beside you.
please" AnEe commanded with un-
smiling lips.
Yes, my DEAR" Jim acquiesced with
irritating readiness.
Anne took the paper and glanced
swiftly through the SITUATIONS Va
can't column. There was a trifle of
haps there was nothing. and Jim could
indeed pirate Of masculine superiority
to her. Her cheeks had taken on two
bright red spots, ard Jim's admir1n8
eyes devoured her beauty while she
scanned the column.
-
tone. IT can go out in Jersey and pick
Strawberries. The fruit is wasting on
the vines for lack Of pickers. and see
the wages are So week and keep" She
glanced trtumphantly at him.
Don't be absurd" Jim said short
ly. you are not a laboring woman"
'My dear Jimmy''-Anne's tone was
exasperatingly SWEET do not re-
member having stipulated any espe-
cial KIND Of EMPLOY emit. I have
picked many a quart OF Strawberries
in my own garden. I do not mind the
sun 1t is a living wage can earn
and''-she shot q wicked glance at the
disconnected mani am showing you
my feminine intelligence"
IF you go out with a lot OF hood
lums and pick berries in the boiling
sun you will be showing me your fem
mime foolishness-"
VERY well. Jimmy dear'-she used
theless I intend to do 1t" She sailed
out of the room and left her angry
fiance glowering at the tips of his
boots.
Anne's deed was as good as her
word. Another day saw her comfort
on her way to the Jersey strawberry
farm 1t had never been one of
Anne's faults to shirk work of any
kind, and 1t was with perfect sense
Of ease and command OF nerves that
she approached the manager OF the
farm. Her neat bingham dress and
tidy hair appealed to the man and
Anne was sent out among the picAers.
A huge sunbonnet protected her deli
cate complex IN from the ravages OF
the sun and aside from stained finger
tips she suffered little during her first
days of employment
After shutdown it was Anne's privi-
lege to assume her own atmosphere
Of social daintiness, at least so far as
clothes were concerned, and when she
strolled out through the country
lanes she was not much IL Q the Anne
of the strawberry patches. In place
Of the rough Bingham and sunbonnet
she wore a soft clingy frock and wide
lowered hat, while q riot Of waving
hair took the place Of severely dressed
locks.
She loved to walk through The
meadows and sniff in the fresh air
that blew across the great stretches
of grain and often she dropped down
in the tall grass to ponder on the
strangeness Of lives other than her
own. Seldom did Jim Dalton's image
enter her mental picture. Anne was
in reality thoroughly enjoying the
brief escape into the world Of work.
ing people.
She was tripping lightly through
the tall grasses OF q meadow hum
I ming lifting melody when she gave
| q little scream and drew back quickly
with a telescope pointed at the pale
stars that were appearing timidly in
the twilight sky had startled her.
Her scream had the effect Of dis
placing the telescope from the mans
eyes and. turning, he looked at Anne.
| He sat up then and the girl scarcely
refrained from laughing, SO odd a pic
ture did he present there in the tall
grasses with that look Of establishment
on his face.
! II am sorry to have disturbed you, !"
Anne said being the first to recognise
her employer. Never before had she
seen him in any save rough farm
clothes. She rather fancied the white
Surely you are not my-er-my
strawberry girl" he returned scrutin-
izing the wonderfully changed Anne,
''the one. with the pink sunbonnet %
His eyes held much In them that made
Anne blush.
Eyes, 1 am she made answer and
sank, unlimited. down in the grass be-
side him. 1T am tired talking to berry
pickers," she said with q pretty air
| distraction from the stars?" She
smiled 1t the alacrfty with which he
accepted her presence.
TT is my hobby-star gazing" he
said. strawberry growing II only .
means tn m end ana that and Ynurf