The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-01
The Epening Story
A Matter of Business.

The three girls looked at the law
yer in frightened unbelief.
1t could not be possible that their
fathers fortune had been such a hol-
low mockery. How had they lived
all these years in such quiet COM
fort?
"It was the nature of his business"
explained Mr.. Ames; "a broker never
really knows whether he is rich
man or a pauper. Your father was
undertaking a big coup when his ILL
ness and death put a finish to every
thing. He was on the wrong side of
the market when he was stricken.
There will be nothing left for you ex-
cept the place in the country-your
mothers old home.'
But that is only house and fur
niture. How can we earn our bread
and butter?" asked Kitty.
I'VE might take summer boarders,"
suggested Dorothy gravely.
THAT isn't a bad idea!' said Mr..
Ames. 'I'I send you all the people 1
can. Can any of you COOKE"
Il cam" said Dorothy proudly. ST
have taken a prize at cooking school,"
You will need a big, strong wo-
good table and the money problem
will take care of ITSELF
June found the Henderson girls set
tied in the old house in which they
had been born. KeZiah Lake, dis
tant cousin of their mothers and
famous housewife, reigned in the great
kitchen. The other household duties
were divided among the three girls.
Lillian was business manager and at
tended to the living room. Kitty was
waitress and Dorothy, with the as
sistance of a small colored girl, was
cha mbermaid.
The mountains, with their many
attractions, brought a houseful Of
guests. The unaccustomed work was
not without some hardShipS for three
girls who had never spent summer
in other than self-amusement, but the
fact that they were making a financial
success of it sustained them admir-
ably.
Old village friends called upon
them, and, to Cousin Keziahs great
satisfaction, several young men were
attracted to the Henderson house.
Tom BiXby, Walter Mott and Paul
Clarkson had all been to the village
school with the Henderson girls.
After James Henderson rad moved to
the city and had become rich, the
little mountain village had not seen
his daughters until now they returned
to it to begin life all over again.
Lillian Henderson, the eldest sister,
was ambitious. She had determined
that her sisters, as well as herself,
should improve their fortunes by good
marriages. And with that end in view
village DOCTOR and his two friends,
who were law partners.
II thought you liked DIR. Mott OBJ
served Kitty when Lillian delivered her
ultimatum.
Il do, dear, but we must think about
practical matters We should marry
WELL she returned decidedly.
You mean marry for money!
For answer Lillian took one of her
sisters rough little fingers and
StrOked it SuggeStively.
Il wouldn't mind working hard for
a man I liked declared Kitty, stout
ly. and Dorothy added, Il don't sup
pose real man would mind our
hands if they were red and coarsen- |
ed by honest toil.'
Il didn't mean that, dears," cried |
will miss all the things we have been
accustomed to. You know, Derry, |
dear, that since Harry Blake has fol-
lowed you hereof course it would
be perfectly fine if you could love
him well enough with all his money"
MY world" Knocked Kitty. Does
that mean that you are going to ac-
cept old Mr.. Alison?"
Lillian whitened, but she nodded.
From the lawn tennis courts came
a mans jolly laugh.
Kitty looked embarrassed. She |
knew that her sisters wondered if she |
was going to accept Lester Marshall
whose sister had been their first
guest.
Marshall was young and handsome |
and rich. and he made no secret of |
his devotion to charming Kitty.
II suppose 1 would be foolish to let |
such an opportunity pass" laughed |
Kitty, oddly. We'll, girls. we might |
have a triple wedding in October and |
to our friends that our /
business had been a very profitable
her sisters caught the flash of tears
in her brave eyes
There was a strained look in Lii
ian's face as the days went by. Mr..
in his devotion; any day, now, the
old financier might make declara-
ton of his love- Il
Keziah'sz cooking had made the
place noted for its chick |.
ems and waffles. and many motor I,
tourists stopped there to partake of
its hospitality.
mated themselves from the company of
he busy old house use peFha ap through
.hree city men who were wooing the Hen
Summer waned and Labor day passed.
md with its passing went the last sum
ner guest. The great barn. which had
Pper te psebad e e%PS again
Keziah had gone back to open her own
ny onSs t and r fGr s fG one time TbeR
,at in the great living room and regarded
.aeh other with fuEtive giances ,,.s
ing Lilians a vas .r solitaire soil DIAMOND
we'll began Kitty, with a nervous
your 2aary
Il am not engaged to Harry Blake" re
the sasd IessPan Sa1 ass$ nv
little. declaration Of Independence: re-
fvh Yes hn m 4