The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-16
TH EVENING S7ORY

(By Joanna sinRle.l

(By Joanna Single.)
So he did just what she knew In her
heart that he was going to do some
day. and she was 80 happy that she
cried. And after q while she laughed
and pulled herself out Of his arms for
the joy Of being back again.
"Oh. Melorie!" he said rapturously.
and she replied:
"Oh. Bert! oh. Bert! But what
come here! I knew I shouldn't! But
how could tell you not to without
I mean before I knew you cared? It
would have been hke-oh. you know
what ! meany'
What in thunder do you mean.
honey? You love me. don't you? Why
shouldn't you let me come? Besides.
you're working too hard. A little girl
OF eighteen's no call to be carin' for q
brother-fn-law and his two young ones
II won't have 1t! I'll marry you and
take care Of you. Ones all you need
to look after. and that's me. See?''
A queer, stubborn little look came
into the girls brown eyes.
They're my dead sisters children.
Boobies only two now. And Rose IL
four. I love them They-can't get on
without me. That's why 1t was wicked
| for me to let you come. But I loved
you SO. couldn't help 1t. But can't
marry you'll can't leave them. Joel
|
abuse them"
Ber Alton stepped back and looked
down at his sweetheart.
do you mean what you're sayings"
he inquired almost sternly. because
/ II you do might just as well go now.
But you can't be such a-foo1. Me1orte.
I'm the right man for you. Joel IL man
enough to look after his own young
ones. He's we'll enough on to hire a
woman to take care Of them. And he's
t%yAp at 1os1
children are dear little things. NO
woman could mistreat them. You're
foolish about Them"
ST promised my sister to look after
them," she answered, her lips trem-
bling. ct can't leave them. But you
know love you"
| Tears filled her eyes, but anger rose
| in the face Of Albert Alton. It was
his will against hers; his hurt sense
OF her taking a false responsibility.
And as they stood there Joel came
through, ready to go out. his hat in
'HelIo, Bert" he said. ''More snow,
eh? Guess I'll go for walk. This
So long! Rose walked. 'Lorie. but
quieted her she'n be all right
| AS he went out the two still stood
looking at each other.
| promise as that to your sister. you
ought to break it. Those children are
"'They are! They've been mine for
a year and half. Bert! You don't
know what you're saying! can't
leave them! Don't you suppose this
hurts me more than it does you?"
'If you really loved me you'd mar
~ me. and let things adjust them
| selves. Joel is selfish Once he lost
| get some aunt or cousin or something
| to keep house for him. Isn't there
"No-only a freak old-maid sister
she asked me to see that the babies
didn't fall into her hands. Mabel new
er saw Elvie. as they call her, but peo-
| pie told her about her. She's always
been queer: they say She took care
mother died."
Time passed as the young things
talked the matter out, and as they
talked the girl cried. The man COM
| forted her. then grew angry at her
| Of a quarrel when Joel came in unno-
| ticed and stood a moment listening. A
| glimpse Of CONSERVATION showed in his
I eyes, and then, hat in hand, he walked
over to the young fellow and addressed
him quietly enough
II guess you'd better 90 home. Bert.
You're both mad now. Wait till you
get cooled off. Come and talk with
4OOA
better then-she's too tired now to
know what she's saying Comet"
There was nothing for 1t but to go.
4 but Melorie turned away without even
| after he was gone she refused any
comfort from Joel, who tried kindly to
4 talk it over with her. She said she
/ could bear no more. but he made her
listen q moment.
Look here, Lorie, I'm not a brute.
know you can't take care Of my chill
dren always. You know loved Mabel
but don't you think It would be right
for me to marry againy
4 Melorie. stared at him unbelievingly.
So that was the meaning Of the half
silly, absent look that fitted over his
face sometimes! That was why he 20
frequently slipped away of an evening
for . walki
Miss Stacy" he said heaitatiugly.
and then seeing the horror in the girls
face. added, II haven't asked her yet.
But she's a nice little thing and-kind
hearted. She'd"
"and you're another or her softneso
! would never have got glance from
fyou You're . fool! But II you think
I'n give up Bobbie. Aabers baby. to
her. you're mistaken
/ Her hands were clenched and Joel
paled. She was 30 like the wife he
ssWhat about Bert Afton1's he asked
very quietly. I'm not thinking only
Of myself: Melorie. have some care
sBert Aftons He's gone for good
burst out. 'sIM forget him. and you
foreet that little fool at the odIcer'
She turned on her heel Ike = emau
s1 seif to :. sleep, STANG her so6s . he
would not wake Bobb1e, whose Ut&lo