The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-17
The Euenine Story


He GOsstssS SW0
Kaae's Pleasures.
(By Lola Avis Kernochan.)
IF I only were like Kate!'' said
Meg sadly to herself. III only had
her sacrihcial nature, ia be content
to marry Edward and bury myself
for life on q farm. ~ she has done
with John.
"But Tm not like Kate. I couldn't
give up art and music and theatres
forever-I just couldn'til And might
as we'll answer Edwards letter right
waiting do?''
Yet she did not write to Edward at
once Suddenly the thought came to
her that q day spent with Kate on
her New Jersey farm would make the
plan OF refusing Edward easier to
vividly in mind, she would be able to
convince her stubborn heart Of what
her mind already was sure: that she
could never be. happy with Edward:
Yes. a day spent with Kate would
bring resignation.
BY noon she had left New York
and was breathing the clearer air Of
New Jersey Two hours later she
stepped from the stage before Hates
farm. She slipped around to the
kitchen door. whore 6ho felt sure she
would find Kate. and tried to shake
or her depression with tho repetition
Of one of her childhood tricks:
"Got a penny for q poor beggar
lady?" she whined. concealing her
self.
An exclamation. a rush. and Kate
was in her arms.
30 terribly glad to sec you'll And you
couldn't have come on q better dayl"
Meg kissed her with pity in her
eyes.
couldn't have come ON q better
day." she repeated, taking her words
as q confession that sho had reached
tho limits OF loneliness
To her surprise. Hates anewer was
not ct all. Of the nature Of . con-
fe0Gdou4 -s.@ - Ga. = hi -
ssIf you'd come yesterday. you'd
have had to help mo churn; II you'd
to pack eggs with me: the day before
that-oh. Meg! live such q glor-
iously full life! You can't imagine
how many things have to dol"
Meg sank Imply on tho steps
Surely Kate was acting? Surely she
the best Of things? It couldn't be
possible that. Kate. musical Kate. was
sincere in her enthusiasm over churn-
Ing and egg packing?
But Kate did not look like one who
has a disappointment to defend. She
looked like one who lives buoyantly.
vibrantly. Her checks had q color
Meg had never seen in them before.
Her voice had new ring.
But not so much to do that you
can't keep up your muster" Meg
asked before she was able to stop her
self.
she was relieved when Kate threw
III be- onA 1ovvUhnA sshR11Nin z
Why. I'd forgotten there was such a
thing! Why, Meg. I'm progressing
now: I'm not standing still any more.
Goodness, couldn't waste my time
at q piano!"
mol" said Meg. staring. Unless
Enjoyed tit" Rates voice was
|tolerantly gentle. as one-speaks when
talking to q child. Well dear. you
see have bigger enjoyments now
the joy Of getting ahead with John
Of feeling that I am his partner. Oh.
you can't understand. Megg1e, until
you have q John!" Daxedly. Meg fol-
barnyard to exhibit her treasures
Now these white leghorns." she
explained, ARE tho finest in the coun-
try. They ought to Yield IN . good
profit. Our Plymouth Rocks are the
envy Of the township. And ~ for our
Ql&8--
But Meg was not listening. Mis-
erably, she turned away. A moment
before, when Kate had spoken OF the
joys of partnership. she had felt that
perhaps-perhaps- too, could
school herself to q farm existence;
but-pigs!
broke out miserabiy. to Rates aston
ishment. Pigs could never take the
place Of music for mel" She flung
the words desperately. hoping that
somehow her tears would make
amends for her frankness
They did. Kindly. Kate's arms
folded about her. why. dearie!"
came softly into her ear. 81 didn't
know you were thinking Of farm life.
You don't mean to say that you have
q John. too-that you are 30 lucky?"
Lucky" walled Meg. "0h why did
I have to fall in love with the very
type Of man least wanteds should
die on q farm
wisely, Kate said nothing. In
stead, she led the younger girl around
to the front porch. and coaxed her
into the great canvas hammock
which hung behind the cool japanese
screen. Dimly. through the screen
could be seen the hemming hills.
Isn't 1t peaceful here?" she said.
drawing q deep breath. mo. can
see that you could never endure farm
life: but now for mel don't ask
anything more Of life than to have
keep time-wasting people and pleas
ures away from me. Here, in my lit
tie val1ey, can. work unmolested-
Receiving NO response from Meg,
save an unhappy nigh. she went on
more softly. "And then. too, my love
tent to stay here. You don't mind
|lonelineaR darling-at least not 20