The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-12
The EUening Story
Stolen Dainties.
(By Cecil Thomas. }

sang like bird at the top of her
| sweet soprano voice, "Can she make
a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy ?"
and SO on through several verses in
which were rehearsed the domestic
virtues of Billy's fiancee
And Linda was making cherry pics
herself, but her blithe Song was not
addressed to any especial auditor.
She sang because she was happy.
Upstairs in the largest front cham
her sat the first boarder of the season.
| He was sitting at a table drawn UP
to the window, and he was frowning
| over the pile of papers before him.
| He was not bothered over his work
| that was an ever recurring joy-but
it was Linda's frequently reiterated
vocal query that irritated him.
| For heavens sake can't a fello "
get away from a racket" he peeved.
| Here 1 am isolated in Green Center
| because my apartment was made
| h1deous with undesirable noises-a
mechanical piano overhead, phono-
graph on one side and a cornet on
the other-and here the maid of all
work chirps like a canary all day
long! But her voice isn't half bad"
he admitted grudgingly.
Can she make a cherry pie, Billy
Boy?"
Billy Wainwright put his head out
of the open window.
Take it from me she can make a
at the gingham-clad figure working
the pump handle. Ring off"
He gasped as the sunhonnet drop
ped back and bewitching face was
upturned to his.
MY name is not Melissa she said
sweetly. who is Melissa ?''
Billy's face was crimson, but his
chagrin added to his temper.
II thought it was the cook" he said
nappishly.
Isn't that funny gurgled Linda.
why, I'm the cook"
You ?" he gasped.
Ills She e, nodded ns.e >, Tn sorry YOU don't
'But-but L do like it, he STAN
mered. Its my favorite ple--that
and lemon meringue-"
You like lemon meringue pie,
too? I'll remember it-and rice pud-
ding?"
Il Ioath it.''
tPrune pie?"
"Beastly."
I'm SO glad to know what you
went into the house with a great
pitcher of water.
Funny L never saw her before
certainly she wasn't around last night
when I came" unused Billy as he
went back to his work. But the
papers had lost their charm. Lindas
charming face interviewed and he
found himself listening for the sound
Of her voice.
But the Billy sound was silent; pres
emily there fluted up through the
window the rich strains of a bird
song-a mellow, throaty MARBLE that
one associated with southern fields
and the call of the hooking bird
Il WONDER gasped Billy, going
1nqu1sltlvely to the window that over
looked the side porch where the pump
stood.
He recognized old Mr. Barnard be-
fore the kitchen door with a basket
of new-laid eggs from the barn.
The whistling stopped abruptly.
Whistling gals and Growing hens
never come to any good ends"
laughed the old man through the
screen door.
You haven't any growing hens on
the farm, Uncle Ben said the girl
merrily, "or you wouldn't be bringing
in that evidence of their industry
Three dozen and three" counted
Uncle Ben. now inside the kitchen. II
hope you're giving Mr.. wainwright all
the eggs he wants"
Certainly, dear" Billy heard her
answer. isn't it odd, Uncle Ben, he
doesn't like cherry or lemon merirgue
pie and he adores rice pudding:''
She laughed gleefulIy.
Billy shook his fist
WELL yawned Uncle Ben, eff milk
buildings satisfy him, all right
there's plenty of milk and eggs on the
place-but, for goodness sake, keep
the pies a-going, Linda. Um-um. Do
L smell cnerry pie =!
You surely do!' she cried gayly.
Hurry up, Uncle Ben, dinners most
ready
Billy went back to his table frown-
IF there's cherry pie in the place,
I'll have sonnet" he muttered darkly
Presently came the resonant clang
of the dinner bell, welded by Linda's
strong, young arm.
Billy, scrubbed and brushed to
healthy, wholesome perfection, in his
gray flannnels, found a small round
table set for one in the middle of the
big dining room. 1t was an oasis in |
the mist of a desert waste of rag
carpeted floor. Choice pieces of ma
hOgany found place in the room, and |
on the shelf licked a curious old clock. |
There was a bowl of nasturtiums on /
the table, and beyond the screened
windows were glimpSeS of a garden |
breaking into bloom. The room was |
filled with the fragrance of roses and /
by. Bees doomed against the screens |
and darted away. Except for the |
ticking of the clock and the distant I
tinkle of china the room was very
still.
1t is very lonely, indeed, to be the |
first boarder. But Billy admitted to I
himself that he had yearned for soli-
tude when he chose Green Center in /
which to complete his tory.
Linda waited upon the table. de- |
mure in white frilled apron, with her |
bonny brown hair breaking rebellious +
waves over her ears.
1t was a well-cooked meal and it /
was dainty served. Billy enjoyed /
every crumb of it until Linda's voice I
cooed in his ear. viii you have rice
pudding or prune pie, Mr.. Vain
right?' %
Billy looked up defiantly
IF you please he said decidedly,
It'll take a piece of cherry pie,''
''Pie?" repeated Linda. Yes, sir"
and she tripped away.