The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-19
The Eoeni,e Story

The Eoenine Story
While the TAxl Waited.
(By Jane oshan.)
Annette turned excitedly from the
window where she had had her nose
pressed flat against the pane for the
last fifteen minutes.
There he 10 now. Jappyl / thought
that special delivery Of mine would
fetch him."
Japonica drew her brush carefully
K down the trunk Of 6 tree on an oily
landscape before she answered. It'll
bet he's wet. out in all this rain.''
mo. sir! Hes como In taxi!
What do you know about thatf Imas-
Inc tight old Cranson in q taxi! And
do believe it's waiting!" Rushing to the
attic-or rather to the studio-window
to have another look down into the
street.
"Well. aren't you going DOWN."
Japonica selected another brush and
tree as II disobliging landlords and
llealky roofs were altogether too sordid
for her glorifled notice.
Down." calculated --nnette, pirouet-
ting around q puddle in the middle OF
the floor and squirting up at the inces-
colored ceiling. DO you suppose I
sent that summary summons to old
Cranson for him to hustle around here
in the middle Of an eQuinoxiai storm
just to sit with him on the parlor sofa
and feed him chocolate drops?" She
snapped her fingers contemptuously. Il
told Susan that when the gentleman
arrived TO show him I'D here, and I
hope" %
Susan had evidently obeyed orders.
for steps sounded on the carpetless
stairs and the next moment the door
opened.
Susan showed q man into the room
and withdrew.
Annette stood drawn up to her full
five feet two inches in height, in the
quite in the middle: the puddle was
there, but she stood on the shore, SO
to speak. Of the puddle. Her black
curls that had q habit Of getting loose
whenever she was excited bobbed de-
fiance. and she pointed an accusing fin-
ger at the newcomer. Japonica had
not turned from her easel.
II knew Susan would warn you
about that fifth step and told her
decidedly not to. But otherwise how
else could you have gotten here with
out first falling half the Highland
! not fall. Susan has proved q traitor.
| shall speak to Susan. MY sister and
I have not dared to step on 1t for
| three years"
| The gentleman murmured apollo
getically that no was very sorry, but
| Annette failed to catch the particular
reason for his sympathy. whether
from the fact that he had been SO dis
| obliging AZ not to fall downstairs, or
that they had to risk yArd-and-an-
eighth-round-: he bottom skirts every
time they ascended or descended the
attic stairs.
| Altogether. Cranson was not at all
the kind OF a man she had pictured.
Some dreadful caricatures Of the "Old
Slkinflint," an they called him. had ap-
peared upon canvases In the attic
mostly after the monthly check for
the rent had been mailed-when
there were days and days thereafter
without cream for their coffee. And
| for all the house was falling to pieces.
nary q patch nor a plaster would old
Cranson contribute to hold II togeth-
er. Hence the summary summons.'
! The worms had turned.
1t was unfortunate that Jappy had
to fall into one Of her moods just now
and leave it all to Annette. And un-
| fortunate too that Annette was al
ways prettiest and least deadly when
angry. The mans eyes plainly showed
| interest II not v4OQu18nment. He
stood, hat in hand. watching her ges-
ticulations with amused eyes. He had
not been invited to sit down.
| Annette pointed trasicaliy to the
puddle. ST want you to sec what we
pay rent for. That! And it's going on
ldown-clear through every floor and
ceiling in the house to the cellar.
Comet"
She darted toward the door and
through 1t. Obediently the man fol-
lowed. on down two. nay. three flights
OF stairs. for she was taking him to
the cellar. On the lowest step she
halted and pointed to the water soak
ed floor.
"But surely this doesn't all come
from the roof" he protested.
mo. It's the drain. Backs up
every rain storm. And that's what va
pay rent for!'
TOO bad!" she heard him say. hall
to himself
"Come!" she summoned. again re-
Stunning the lead.
She showed him broken windows
and plasterless walls, knobless doors
and paperless halls. At last, trium-
Iroom and faced him.
'weu?" she inquired. what are
you going to dor"
What do you: want me to do?"
"Oo?' aghaSt. what do you think
I SAINT for you for? Just to come and
look sympathetic? FIX It all. Of
.Td Hike to very much. l6iss Bur-
leigh. but I'm afraid the most can do
lin this case - to make q forceful 0ug-
gestion to your landlord that he makes
- M. ~ - -