The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-20
The Euening Story
Squaring Accounts.

d
ooh, Dorothy What do you think?
Here's a letter from the Union Realty
company about our mortgage. They
don't want the interest this time.
They're after the entire amount or the
farm. They must know your Uncle
Toms away and won't be home for
month. don't know what to do. He
always attended to these things. oh,
deari''
'sDorothy's pretty face was sober.
Don't you see how it is, Aunt
Polly? It's as clear as day. Mr..
Wakefield is at the head of the Realty
company and he is interested in all
the oil leases around us. He wanted
to lease this farm before Uncle Tom
went away, don't you remember, and
Uncle Tom wouldn't consent He is
determined to get it one way or the
other, and this is his chance! Isn't
it hateful" She stamped her foot
with Indignation
81 guess that's about right, Dor
othy. It's the Oil 1 wish Tom was
home to see the man when he comes.
The letter says their representative
will be here tomorrow to look over
he's to go back to tell them the best
place to put down wells"
Tomorrow" reflectively. II would
not let him in, Aunt Pollyi"
Dorothy, How you talk! Have
we ever been known to fail in well
coming the stranger within our
gates?
sNo!" belligerentIy. eff the bad
man himself should ask for a meal
you'd feed him fried chicken and
sponge cake
Shocked beyond comment, Mrs.
Lenhart referred again to the letter
and began to cry anew Dorothy was
thoughtful.
Never mind, auntie. Let me dream
over it and I'll be sure to find a way
out by tomorrow"
Comforted somewhat by her nieces
assurance, Mrs. Lenhart started to
pare apples for pies. Suddenly Dor
othy had an inspiration. Let me
bake the pies, auntie, won't your
Certainly, dearie. I'd be glad if
you would. 1 want to look over the
bed in the spare room and attend to
some other things before our company
comes"
But Dorothy had another inspira-
! ton, and it ended by her coaxing her
aunt to spend the day with re1a-
tive. Anxious to convey her news to
sympathizing listeners, Mrs Lenhart
was not hard to persuade.
BE sure you put on the sheets
with the crochet edge, dear, and lay
a rug over the bare spot in the car
pet: And the pickles ar y,1 a..oa 80
it all. Don't worry about your Won
derful man. He'll never forget his
visit, I'm sure"
so Mrs. Lonn1rI drove away anu
Dorothy laughed a wicked little laugh
that meant mischief for some one.
When Stewart Martin arrived at
the farm the next day he was vlsibly
pleased at the greeting of Mrs Len
| hart and her very pretty niece. 1t
was dinner time and the most delecta-
BILE smells come from the kitchen,
which added to his contentment-
He was shown to his room and a
few minutes later presented himself
| at the table.
His mouth watered at the sight of
fried chicken, snowy potatoes and the
hundred good things of country
table.
dorothy cooked the dinner"
beamed her aunt. 'She doesn't often
| take notion, SO I hope you'll feel
sufficiently flattered."
He bowed his acknowledgment: Il
am, indeed, Miss Dorothy. If things
taste as good as they look, you are
| ready for a diploma
Dorothy Redeemed. Then she sud
denly left the table. I'm not hun
CRY, auntie. II have headache.
Please go ahead and eat"
After the first mouthful of food,
Aunt Polly's expression changed from
one of worry to chagrin. What was
the matter with the chicken? Dorothy
had evidently emptied the salt crock
and pepper box on it. But a hasty
bite of potato proved the contrary.
| A goodly portion of salt, pepper and
a suspicion OF sugar had also fallen
to their lot The beets. peas and even
preserves and the pie had been ruined
| with salt.
'.Pm sorry, Mr. Martin. Dorothy
has evidently had little joke at your
| expense. If you'll wait, I'll get you
some bread and butter and preserves
| and a cup of tea
But the gentleman had lost his ap-
petite and declined with thanks l
think I'll look over the farm bit, II
you don't mind"
Dorothy did not appear all after
noon-ncr at the evening meal, which
her aunt got herself.
But how was his hostess to know
that he slept on the floor all night,
after a vain attempt to clear his bed
of sand and Spanish needles?
At dawn he was dressed and out:
Tired and discouraged. he determined
| TIC leave at the earliest opportunity.
BILE milking a cow in the barnyard and
looking like a picture in pink g1ng-
ham.
He hesitated an instant. Then an
odd look came into his eyes. I've
always been known to get even, Miss
Dorothy he sale, coming up behind
her, and as she turned in surprise
he stopped. caught her face in his
hands and kissed her first on one
cheek and then the other
She sprang up furious. GU cow
ardl"
He smiled tolerantly. When peo-
pie act like children they should be
treated as such. It's no crime surely
to kiss a child"
What do you mean 2?
THAT I'm so full of sand 1 could
ground a ship and so full of water
after the salty dinner could float it
off again.
she had to laugh. Then she bit her
lip. provoked But it was too late for
dignity
but you're so mean to come here
and try to steal uncle's farm when
he's awayI'