The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-06
EVENING STORY
An All-star Cast.
(By Leslie Beach. }

slender income and she realized that
the dimes she paid to the cashier of
the Bijou should be drawing four per
cent with the rest OF her rainy-day
fund.
| But" she argued sensibly, eff I'm
happy in the evening 1 can work all
day without noticing it. But If don't
have a little diversion I just get sick
of the sight of raisin rolls, angel food
and doughnuts. Besides, make them
better and my customers buy more.
So don't know but that I get a hun
dred per cent on my investment"
Miss Harriet was as attractive as
she was sensible. And it was no fault
of hers or of the scores of beaux she
had had in her teens that she had
never married. She had just been
needed. That was all. Now every
one was gone, and althO she stayed on
in the old home she found it necessary
to exc out the family nest egg by
making goodies for. the neighbors
No one guessed that capable, good
looking Miss Harriet was having an
affair, not even the recipient of her
laffections-for she was in love with
a movie actor!
Night after night she watched for
the Green Crab to flash on the
screen, the insignia of the Morgold
Film Company, because a thrilling
drama would likely follow in which
Carter Aylesworth was sure to feature.
| Now Carter Aylesworth did not take
the star part in these pieces, nor was
he young and strong and handsome.
To be frank, his hair was thinning
and turning gray his nose was long
and irregular. and his eyes had
nearsighted. watery look that told of
the habitual lens-wearer.
Carter Ay1esworth was the goat.
Every picture has one. If the piece
called for a poor devil Jailed for
twenty years by mistake, he was the
man. If the pretty heroine had to
| hurry home at night from the factory
to her dependent old grandfather, it
was Carter Ay1esworth who submitted
to shawls, crutches and hotwater bags
If Indians caught and tortured a lone
white man to be rescued later by a
husky hero, Carter was the victim.
If family starved. he was right there
in the imelight. He was confidence
| man, book agent, shyster, thief. Any
thing that was altogether and entire
ly wanting in glory.
Poor thingi" Miss Harriet solilo-
quized at first. "Of all the mean
things that man has to do. Why, he
must hate himself"
But as time went on with no i'm
!, provement in the situations. she be-
came indignant why can't they
give him a decent part sometimes :?
Couldn't he save baby from a burn
ing house, or vent his righteous wrath
} on the villain about to murder some
body by hitting him with a club? 1t
isn't fair for them to let that conceit-
ed young Farnsby have all the Monte
Cristo parts. If they did play that,
poor Mr.. Aylesworth would be De
Morcerf or one of those dreadful
menu
, You know what they say that pity is
akin to. Yes-love came next
IF I had that poor man, I'll bet I'd
increase his se1f-respect in about two
days It's just because no one cares
about him or takes an interest that he
has that meek, hangdog look. I know
j that If he had some of my nince pies
and spiced ham he would chirk UP q
bit. Ny, but I would love to cook for
old world after all. 1t would be kind
: of nice to have some one like that
about. I imagine he has an angelic
, disposition and would be SO grateful
for a little attention. I'd fatten you
up if had you, Carter" Yes, she was
calling him Carter now to herself.
She was so1iloquizing thus one night
before time to go to the show. The
: dishes were done and she was crochet
/ ing the front porch.
Tommy Jenkins cut across the street
and up the path.
Miss Harriet, can you bake mother
another dozen rolls in the morning
, We got some swell company today and
he's going to stay until tomorrow
Fevening.''
Sure, Tommy, Wait minute and
, I'll give you cookie. Who's the COM
pany?''
Il don't know. A fellah from New
/ York. I think he came to see about
a house he wants to SELL
! 'All right, Tommy, it doesn't mat
II ter. Tell your mother I'll do what I
can for her.
, The next day Miss Harriet was cut
! ting out some biscuit when head
! darkened the window. Docs Harriet
) lLongstreth still live here ?" 1t asked
"She Does affirmed Miss Harriet
, and, looking up, she gave little
: scream of dismay then paled and red
dened with embarrassment Garter
Aylesworth!" she gasped.
, Yes. And twenty years ago I was
Bert Stebbins, who lived next door.
, Don't you remember how I used to
Iiatty? May I come in and talk things
, ever Something smells better than
, anything this old bachelor has tasted
since he left home"
Eyes, do come in. Carter. I mean
Bert. I just thought from your pic
+ lures you were hungry. And Two been
thinking they don't take very good
r care of you. You look SO lonely. too!
have a notion to write a play for
= you myself and give you star part
: Just to show them you can sact!''
f He laughed. Maybe it will comfort
r you a little to tell you that they pay
) me the same as Farnsy. Hatty. but
: sympathy is rare thing and I'm
f grateful. But you're right about me
being lonely. 7 am I wonder IL, in
f stead of writing me a scenario. you
' ard I couldn't make an all-star cast
OF little play called .Marriage:' Il