The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-16
The Euening Story
HaroId's Object Lesson.
(By Catherine Cranmer

started TO open the afternoon paper,
but his attention was attracted by old
Larrys unusual lameness as he start
ed off toward the stables. Hold on,
Larry" called Harold. What has
| got into your legs? Are you doing
anything for that rheumatism ?''
Sure, Mr.. Brentley. I'm using in
side and outside remedies, but seems
like rheumatism don't stop for any
! thing; liniment don't touch the pain
any more, and I can't see how medi-
legs, but old Doc Whitley says to
keep on taking it."
I'm afraid that cooking you do
over there is none too good for you.
Larry. why didn't you marry. and now
you'd have a wife to take care of
your aches and pains?"
well, Mr.. Brentley," began Larry
slowly and standing with his left hand
on his hip and his right hand holding
his knee, lit was just because I was
thing and while I was waiting for
the girl to give in on everything she
married a fellow that was glad to
get her he didn't care who give in
nor how much
THAT is rather a vague explanation
and surprising one to me, Larry. 1
never found you hardheaded." Har-
old was curiously interested.
But you never found me till after
I'd learned a thing or two" responded
Larry. Don't you think a mans GO
ing to profit by having the apple of
his eye snatched up and carried off
while he is sulkfng? It's a long story,
but If you want to hear it all I'll tell
you
GO ahead, Larry Harold smiled
encouragingly.
You see." began Larry, Mary
Glenn and me was the same as en-
gagged, and 1 was so jealous I didn't
want her to dance with the other fell
lows, at least not more than once an
fevening with the same fellow. She
was black-hafred, bIue-eyed, white
skinned girl, with as many ways of
smiling as a hooking bird has of sing
ing. and, of course, the fellows nocked
around her. One evening 1 got mad
cause she danced three times with
the same fellow, and / guess I took
a. nip more than was good for nv tenn
per and on the way home laid down
the law to Mary. She didn't get riled,
but she said, just as calm as you
please; whenever you get ready to
quit bullying me and to let drink alone
other boys alone, then I'll be ready to
give in about anything in reason.
There's got to be giving in on both
SIDES, or we don't keep company any
more. and that's all I've got to say
1t was all she did say, too and my
storming around about a girl trying
to interfere with a mans personal lib
erty didn't draw one word from her
When she reached her fathers gate
she flounced into the house quick as
lightning and at Christmas the same
year she married another fellow"
. And you. Larry-what did you do
then? ?" Harold asked this perfunctor-
lily to bring Larry's mind from the far
away past.
Me? I sailed for America, and I've
been here ever since. For long time
l had it in for all the women, and
When ia come to my senses about EN-
l was so old and ugly and rheumatic
that even widow with four children
wouldn't have me, saying she'd take a
Wloower or none, for man as stayed |
single till he was past 40 was too
with. &c." concluded Larry, you see |
here am, with no wife to help me |
carry the load that comes with the /
years"
Yes. Larry, I think 1 do see.' said
Harold slowly Then he got up alb |
ruptly and went into the house. He |
closed his study door and went |
straight to the telephone. Grasping |
stood quite still for a moment while |
his dark eyes looked determinedly |
from under brows Strengthened into a |
dark line. Then his left hand moved |
he was calling a number. During the |
brief interval until he received a re-
ply no visible muscle moved, but his
face grew very pale and his heart
CINE.
col. Hunters residence ?" Then,
almost instantly, May speak to Miss
Eunice?" His attitude remained rigid
as he awaited her voice in the re-
ceiver.
"Eunice. this is Harold. May 1 talk
to you a little while?" The hand that
held the receiver was trembling.
There's a lot I'd like to say that
could hardly be said over the tele-
phone. but if I told you that I've
begun to see some things differently
would you let me come to see you and
explain?" And Harold, whose argu-
nents in court were notable for their |
1irectness, found himself fIoundering
'or words in which to present his side
If the case to the calm voiced young
woman at the other end of the wire.
Wen. no; perhaps that is not lot e x
explicit is to say frankly that I'm
of the attitude 1 took when
We disagreed over whether should
lictate to you about your professional
associates any more than you about
nine" Harold almost embraced the
telephone instrument as he added, in
his most persuasive tones: And,
Cunice, you've made such success as
social worker among unfortunate
won't you undertake to set
light and to make happy one mere
nan whose mind is open to conviction
md whose heart is starving for You
A very brief pause marked the birth |
# a blissful expression on Harold's
ace
"Ycu say Central is not deaf2 I'm
lot either, Eunice, and it makes me
lappy to hear that gentle tone in your |
-oice If 1 come by in fifteen min
ties will you go for a long ride and | I
upper at the Country club ?" The in
erva1 that followed was infinitesimal |
I'm on my way now, dearest
The receiver was still swinging on