The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-29
The Evening Story
Blind.
Blind.
(RY Martha NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. .aa

Oy ASAdA lha 4ACs- u4lOCu. w -lAIIS.)
Anne Maria, what are you giving
me?" Susan demanded with giggle
and a coaxing finger upon he's adnt's
face. The two were COM
re des, so comradely Miss Norton would
not have minded either the slang or
the familiarity-if only there had not
been q third party within earshot.
A prim lady who had suspected that
Der husbands sister was bringin. up
mis- daughter in the way she should
not go.
Now she said acidly. pursuing her
lips between words: a'If may adj
vise-your father wiil-send you-at
crce."
Susan shrugged. saying airily: Bet
Ter not! Costs lot-fare to Glendale
and III came away inside a week
see il don't!'
Hush, honey Miss Norton inter-
posed.
Mrs. Norton, the stepmothcr. got
red with anger. You might find
thet-difftcult," she said biting her
liIs. IF you go there under compul-
sion-well, your father will be wise
enough to explain"
No need! None at all. If there were
I'd save him trouble" Susan said, out
wardly tranquil, though her heart beat
very fast. "Remember-In be IS
before term time there-old enough
tc choose-my guardian or my hus-
band.''
Darling child! Don't say such wild
things" Miss Norton gasped.
Her sister-in-law was livfd. Per
haps you have already chosen" she
seIitured at random.
Susan nodded. smiling neekly. In
ti'r-e of peace prepare for war" she
QIOted-then her lips beginning to
culver: What makes you try so hard
to make me hateful, madame? You
know don't want to slur my dear dad,
nor vex Anne Maria-Id let then,
w:1k over me cheerfully-if 1t wasn't
for you.''
The last word was strangled N a
sch. after which Anne Maria took her
forcibly away, soothing and conf ,rt-
ing her until she saw her mounted and
galloping down the lane If the meek
shall inherit the earth Anne Maria;
rrlsed and this was one of the times.
The masterful Nine. Norton had nth
esto SO dominated her upon thei.. in
frequent encounters she mad all but
effaced herself even in her owr house.
This time she turned about and dolib-
cTstely confronted that lady, VIII. sat
propped in a big rocker, viewing the
departure with proper scorn. IT am
nearly as sorry for Susan as angry
with her" the stepm other began be-
fore Miss Norton could speak. She
IS not really so much to blame-it's
the way she has been brought up"
2 $50 you have told me before. but
l.t in words" Miss Norton flung lack.
i'm glad you've spoken it set.y-it
makes my part easier.''
Indeed! And that is?" Madame
Merton queried. ITO tell you what I
know and what 1 mean to 30 If I nave
TO- came the answer. II know you
want Susan-her fortune. rather for
tllat goggle-eyed nephew of youls-
that preacher-thing! Well! You shan't
have her-nor it. And if 1 hear any
further talk of Glendale, which IS q
se,ni-genteel prison, rather than a
gilrs college, I'll marry my girl to the
..Ist decent fellow can find"
In that case" madame said icily,
Using and bowling, Il must ask per-
mission to communicate instantly with
my husband. May I call over your
:rhone for a long-distance connection:
OF course. shall pay for It."
The suffix was but an added insult.
Miss Norton nodded-shc was past
speech. But she was far too thorough
bred not to keep out Of eacs1ot
throughout the time of. conference.
vitality as she was interested IN what
passed over the wire. 1t made her
actually sick to have madame come out
Smiling and saying: your brother
will be here on the midnight train-
by his express request. only in deier-
ence to it must trespass SO much
longer upon your hospitality
Miss Norton bowed. If she had let
herself speak, she would have cried.
cut: You lie! You are staying hero
on guard! To thwart and haras my
help. Instead of it, she must think
hard. Walking always cleared things
in her mind. She snatched a sun hat
and set off through the orchard to take
counsel with her next neighbor.
If madame had known OF him, put
Fate plays her own hand. His eyes
darted blue flame when he had heard
the whole story. A tall fellow, well
made, neither youthful nor oldish. he
had q compelling strength every way
Bred to the law. but withheld from
practice by the fact that he had no
need Of work. so would not compete
with those who had such need. he had
ore to be the unofficial justicer and
court of first and last resort for ali
the countryside.
had to threaten that woman with
husband for my baby Miss Nortol
ali but sobbed. Even I knew IL was
the one way out: yet the poor tElns
hasn't got the ghost of sweetheart
IL. fact. she laughs at all the boys
she knows I can't go begging any OF
them to marry her; but thought nay
there's not one Of them worthy t.
rock at her, much less love her. !
tell you. Miss Anne Maria, Susan . q
= easure; she deserves the best OF ev.
Ieryth:ng. better than the best man
Yet. you are right, 1t is the only way
out She isn't quite eighteen; nel
fosher is also her legal guardian. A
such he has power-oh, the devil.
Why isn't there q Prince Charmiag II
hand? If there were-why my cal
ces.ld whisl1 them away to matrimony
and happiness long, long before thar
train gets here"
Why indeed?" Miss Norton echoed
sadly
The next minute she turned about
bi.lshing deeply az Susan gallopcd ur
TO them. her vivid face cloudlees. cry.
| jrg: "Ah. ha! Conspiracy? Confess!
What are you two colloguing about p
ITS conspiracy of salvation. youns
SxnmaH - Rafhh0na said frx.fnu 4.