The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-22
The EDening Story
Quite Another Helena.
(By Keith Kenyon.)

L,
his brother Benjamin reached the end
| of the letter
'ImpossibIe!" decided David Dorr
as he helped himself to another muf-
thinking of to inflict a tomboyish
young girl upon us. Mrs. Muffet would
| give notice at once"
There boys" soothed An
sumed an aggressive attitude.
Helena is not tomboyish-she is
merely fond of athletics. Isabel says
if the child can have a horse to ride
and some one to play tennis with she
will be perfectly happy and contented.
You see, Jonas and Isabel must go to
Montreal at once and their summer
plans are all upset and we are
Helena's uncles and
Let her come, then!' groaned Ben
jamin.
well, I'm here!' called a gay young
voice just outside the door.
The three elderly bachelors turned
from their breakfast table and viewed
with amaZement a very pretty young
| person who now stood in the doorway
regarding them with a pair of won
derful violet eyes.
"Well, uncles, DEAR she pouted.
| I'm homesick already! Not one of
you seems to be glad to see me; and
| I've travelled miles just to be with
you" Tears appeared in the violet
eyes.
|
Anthony, jumping from his chair and
moving toward the newcomer with
outstretched hands. I'VE are delighted
my dear-only you did surprise US.
only received your mothers letter an
| hour ago."
81 suppose father forgot to mail it,
1t was written a week ago and I've
all wondered why you didn't answer.
1 told them I supposed you were so
paralyzed with joy at my coming that
81 Nv dr,'f VQl1
L am. Now, what are you going to do
with meg" She regarded them whim-
sically.
First have some breakfast invited
Uncle David, pecking a kiss at her
cheek.
Uncle Benjamin rang for Mrs. Muf-
fet, whose disappearing expression did
not dissolve even beneath the warmth
of Helena's dazzling smile.
Another plate, please, Mrs. Muffet,"
directed Uncle Anthony. will you
have a chop, Helena, my dear?"
IF you please, Uncle-oh, dear, it's
I haven't seen you in dozens and doz-
ems of yearS!'
Not since you were five, Helena"
corrected Uncle David gravely. And
you must be-let me see; why, bless
me child, you are seventeen"
I'm as old as look-or as young,
uncles dear-only tell me, please,
which one of you is which,"
introduced to her three charming
granduncles, who proceeded to enjoy
her youthful enthusiasm to the ut
most.
Uncle Anthony loved to recite his
favorite poems to Helena, and in her
he found a gentle, appreciative lis
tener. Uncle David challenged her to
a nightly game of chess and was high
ly delighted when she vanquished him,
she frequently did. 1t was Uncle
Benjamin who was the sportsman of
the family, and together he and
Helena drove each day to the country
club and tramped over the golf course,
becoming, in due time, delightfully."-
chummy.
Then the three old gentlemen con-
ceived a plot to marry Helena to one
of their neighbors, Jack Lyman, an
altogether desirable young man who,
love with the fascinating grandniece.
1t was about this time that re-
markable change took place in Helena.
Something seemed to have dampened
her high spirits, and she went about
with a depressed and half-frightened
look on her charming face. All the
granduncles noticed it, and, finally,
Mrs. Muffett was called in consulta-
ton.
II might classify her disease as
guilty conscience" Mrs. Muffett dag
nosticated. with a sour smile.
Mrs. Muffett!" roared the three
Anthony arose in his most dignified
manner and Informed his housekeeper
that if she would step into the library
he would pay her up to the first of
the year and that Amos would drive
her to the station at once.
Til CO." said Mrs. Muffett angrily,
but before I do leave I'd like to ask
one question-how is it that Miss Hell
ena came here twelve years ago with
a pair of beautiful brown eyes-and
now her eyes are blue-blue as vio-
lets %
The trio Of uncles gasped.
"Ffddlestfcksr' calculated Uncle
Benjamin, first to recover.
They are very blue indeed" muir
INJURED Uncle Anthony, tenderly.
1--WE heard that the eyes of infants
frequently do assume another color
in after years. defended Uncle David.
Miss Helena was no infant when
she came here before, sir returned
years old, for 1 was chambermaid
then and 1 took care of her. Her eyes
were brown like her mothers and her
hair was the same color-and she
gave no premise of looking like this
one If you'll excuse my saying SO.
she couldn't be as handsome!
''Then--then. who is our Helena ?"
Uncle David fiercely.
AN impostor!"
Absurd" almost shricked the
three uncleS in concert, and Mrs Muf-
fetr was allowed to depart under sus-
pended sentence of dismissal Until they
could investigate the case of the niece |
whose relationship to them she had
SO boldly questioned
What shall we do2" asked Uncle |
Anthony, feebly, when they were alone. |
Let US get the TRUTH" SAID Uncle |
Benjamin firmly.
So they went in a body into the |
garden on their distasteful errand.
1n- - ri 1r,tx OF