The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-18
The Ees,i1,e Story

tBy Olive Roberts Barton.)


none of he. own choosing. What did
holes in Johnnie's stockings as big as
buckwheat cakes? How did she
know how many days Flossie should
wear the same petticoat?
Tit whole three wei in bed now,
and the great singer relaxed lux
uriously in soft, clinging negligee
that contrasted strikingly with the
very much used furniture Of the little
living room. She knew no one in the
town, SO thero was little danger OF
calls. SEE was always tired after the
triplicate bedtime bath. and it was too
much of an effort to dress.
Her thoughts were as busy as the
fingers of the little maid OF all work.
now doing dishes audibly In the
kitchen. She was thinking how odd
it wes Or her to be there at all.
A telegram had been responsible.
Sister Jane and her husband William
had been called away by trouble in
Williams family. There had been no
one else to ask to look after the chill
dren- She had consented grudg1ngly,
feeling at the same time a guilty paI1g
Of conscience. In her two years of
fame and prosperity the little subur-
ban family had been almost forgot
ten. certainly neglected. She had
never even seen the baby!
|
tie front porch like so many bangs
on q bass drum. The house reverbe-
rated to the footballs Of new arrivals
SO loudly that it was hardly neces-
sary to knock. Title, out in the
kitchen, heard and was at the door
before her temporary mistress could
stop her.
us this where Miss Farrell is stay
ing?" asked a, mans voice.
Joe" exclaimed Miss Farrell inn
patiently. will he never learn that
there isn't bit of use in chasing aft
er me. wherever I go?"
Joe stamped off the snow noisily
and came inside. She heard the
sound Of his hat and coat being de-
posted upon the hall rack. and had
just time to assume a very tOp-lofty
expression, before he came In. The
great singer was slender, very pretty
and not very tall. in spite of the adj
jective. Moreover, hef name of the
stage was Peggy Yet pretty little
Peggy could look very tOp-loftica1
even to Joe. which was foolish. Joe
had known her when she was over
whelmred with the ho.-or of being
asked to sing in the church choir back
home.
He came in big. glowing and clumsy
The little roomed seemed full before
he got farther than the doorway.
Peggy, in her chair before the fire,
half turned-Just enough for him to
see the top-loftical expression.
Peggy he exclaimed delightedly.
coming forward.
Good evening, Joe" evenly. "You
chose nice night to come so far.
Won't you sit down ~
Joe sat down on the other side of
the fireplace, as though cold water
had been thrown, on him. He might
have expected it. especially after last
meeting, when Peggy had told him
! n he n FOR
any man in the world. s.e Ean ~
But he had bobbed up serenely. re-
fusing to acknowledge defeat with
the same persistence that had finally
brought him luck in the business
world.
He rebounded characteristically
now.
you look awfuny sweet. Peggy.
Aren't you glad to see me ?''
MOI deliberately.
This was disconcerting.
Il wouldn't, have come-only I
thought of something after-after
we'd been talking the other night"
She didn't answer
"You see," shifting uneasily. IF you
would marry me-, you could go ahead
with your singing just the same as
ever: You could sing just as well
as Margaret Farrell stdrtevant. as
couldn't you? That wouldn't be in
terfering with your career. would it
and. Peggy you used to care little
lenting. Its hard to be cross with
you. Joe. You just won't let people,
will you? I'm going to be extra nice
now and explain.
|, You see. joe. your plan. won't
work for a hundred reasons. You love
la home. You're a regular home man
if. there ever was one. 1 can't make
a home. 1t isn't in me. hate every
thing about a house. If I wasn't sure
before, am now after being here two
days. AS for keeping up my singing
would you stand for me being away
from you forty weeks out of every
Eyear? You'd stop it all in half that
! time. I love my music better than
anything on earth, and I can't give it
up"
What she really meant was that the
IintoxicatiOn of public homage was q
sensation. she would not care to re-
nounce.
/ ''An right, my girl, you're the doc
Etor!" Joe got up and looked at his
watch. Il didn't suppose it was much
use. but thought I'd make one more
fry. l won't bother you again, ever.
Goodnight, Peggy. I've Just time for
He was gone! Peggy turned out the
light and sat watching the fire. He
loves children" she remarked after a
while. and ha---ha-don't care
MUCH Tor tnem. Tne word she had
tstarted to say suddenly failed to come.
somehow Johnl4ie's big black eyes.
F1ossie's brown curls, and the baby's
moist pink little fingers had way of
getting themselves remembered lately.
guess Ill get the baby her bottle
and go to bed she yawned.
I A week passed. Peggy was getting
expert on mending Eneeless stockings,
sorting clothe and bathing babies. It
never seemed to be a bother any more.
Then one night the baby got sick. very
sick. go