The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-01
The Evening Story



or three reasons. In the case OF Abigail
Joy, however, she was an old maid be-
cause her great, greatgrandfather pack
ed up his buds at the time of the sailing
Of the Mayflower from England and
came along with the Pilgrim Fathers as
one of them. He was proud OF the fact
as long as he lived. and when he died
the younger Joys took 1t up and con-
tinued it down to Miss Abigail.
II Miss Abigail had ever found young
man related to the Mayflower and
plymouth Rock and pork and beans she
would have fallen in love. but such
one had never appeared.
When Miss Abigail was twenty-five
years old great trial came to her. Ow-
ing to an accident and q death she was
in a way forced to take to her home and
care for a girl relative ten years old.
The name was Mildred Drew. The
child's father had come of Pilgrim
stock, but her mother could not be
traced back further than John Han
cock. John had been the first to sign
the Declaration Of Independence. but
what was that compared with landing
at Plymouth Rock? Miss Abigail must
take care of Mildred. but as she thought
Of that half-blood she shuddered.
/ Would Mildred romp and play and
tear her dresses? Would she jump
ditch, climb a tree or hit q boy in the
ear with a SNOWFALL? Would she want
to skate on the pond or slide down the
long hill?
No one but an old maid and a Joy
can tell what Miss Abigail suffered as
she thought Of these things. Even the
idea Of q tin peddler winkfng at the
little girl over the gate made her shud-
der in a way to unite her shoestrings.
|. And this was the prim. proper precise
woman that the young girl came to
girls to the age Of ten. Thenceforward
she was to be an automaton. She might
talk buk veYysqutetly. She might sein8.
but very softly. She might walk, but 1t
should be with dignity. If she started
to laugh she must check it. ~
The girl had no playmates-no
friends She attended the village
school, but in obeying her guardians
instructions she had TO repel those who
wanted to be friends. She went alone.
came alone and sat alone.
Mildred was sixteen when Tommy
Barnes came. Miss Abigail had to have
some one to milk the COW, feed the
pigs and cut the wood. Tommy was
the son OF q ser captains widow, and
he was to receive 81 per week and
board and eat by himself in the
kitchen. Moro than that. the old maid
.'You must not think of speaking to
Mildred unless she speaks to you"
Eyes, marm."
You are to call her Miss Drew"
Yes, marru."
And the law was also laid down
to the girl AZ to her conduct and, of
course, the result was to make both
the young folks hypocrftes and de-
cetverS. They pitied each other at the
beginning, and it was not long before
the pity turned to love. They made
chances to talk, and though they were
caught at it after awhile and Tom was
discharged, they found opportunities
to meet now aid then.
Tom went to work in a factory
where he could save little each week,
and the years passed drearily enough
for him and the girl. When she had
reached her twentieth year, and he
MS majority. the had never had a
chance to talk together for half an
| hour. They had never written q note
to- each other. Miss Abigail was flat
terfng herself that she had brought
up her ward IL q way to do the Pill
grim fathers proud. when things be-
began to happen. She fell down stairs
and broke an arm. and for q time she
could not play the watch dog.
During this time Tom said to Mil
dred: II have saved half enough
going coastfng. Captain Baker will 60
with me the first year. AS soon Al
the craft ID paid for we will be mar
ried. You had better tell Miss Abigail
and prepare her for IT.
r. Why, she will turn me right out
doors!" was the reply.
l. Then you will live with mother
1t took q week for Mildred to get
her courage up She had never In the
slightest opposed Miss Abigail Moth
ing but love could have given her the
courage to do SO now, for she was sure
OF the outcome. She had to love In
secret, but perhaps It was stronger
for that. She realized that her life
was being warped and spoiled, and she
chung to Tommy as her anchor. Cne
7 evening. in voice scarcely above a
whisper she said to her guardian:
would you care much IL Tom
Barnes and me got married?''
| The old maid turned and stared at
her.
| Thin q year from nowr'
Put ON your hat and shawl"
| She held the door open while the girl
passed out into the night It was .
! cruel thing to do, and she had done II
cruelty, but she must uphold the ira
ditions of the Pilgrim Fathers.
II must go down to the wharf and
tell Toril." said the girl.
She did not beg to be taken back. She
did not weep. She was not at al
frdghtened nor greatly surprised
the None Such" She had q cargo
aboard. and would sail with the MORN
ing tide. Mildred stood ut the edge Of
the wharf end called. but no one APP
peared.
But I must see Tom and tell him
what has happened" said tie girl.
and she climbed over the low RAN and
gusts, which were coming oftener
and stronger.
Mildred had been aboard ten n1in-