The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-25
EVENING STORY
The Ne.vlyweds' Tragedy.

turned the corner from the station his
eyes eagerly sought the veranda of
his four-montt1s' old bungalow upon
which Clara, his four months old
bride, just as eagerly waited his re-
turn. Never yet from showery April
until scorching July had she failed to
meet her adoring husband, and it
was with va que misgivirg that he saw
no sign of his pretty little wife be-
hind the petunia filled veranda boxes
one swelterlng evening when he came
home from town.
Just inside the screen door, how
ever, as he came nearer, he caught a
glimpse of q checked apron and, be-
hind it, Clara.
What's up?" he demanded anx-
iously. For this was variant from
the dainty frocks she was accustomed
to wear.
'Llzzies gonei"
"Wcn, did you ever
+ And L burned the steak!'' Proof of
the fact was strong in the atmosphere
of the hall.
Ard the mayonnaise won't get stiff
and the asparagus won't get soft and
and eve1ything's spoiled" Clara
sobbed Historically.
Bob pulled her hot. tousied little
head 10 his breast Its all right, lit
tie maid, don't you care! Wen throw
the old stuff out Let's make some
lemonade and have sandwich
What's wrong with Lizzie?"
L don't know. Somebody sick or
dead or something. L was out and
when | got back she was gone. Left
word with Mrs. Smith next door
Some one telephoned for her"
Rotten -acki Wen, I'll try to get
somebody tomorrow. Well both get
dressed and then We'll get our picnic
together"
Bobby. dear. you're an angel [
was afraid you'd be cross because
spoiled the things
'.Never!" declared Bobby fervently.
And so closed the first chapter of
the BriXton tragedy.
That night. or rather at a. m. next
morning, Clara shook Bob Bobby
Bobby, wake up! Oh, please, Bobby,
wake up! There's somebod-- down
stairs. | hear them walking"
'Oh, it's next door" answered her
husband sleepily. You're just hear
ing things And then he turned over
Clara shook him determinedly.
Bob | hear it again. There. What
did 1 tell you?'' For this time some
hing did rattle in the lower regions
and Bob sat up in bed.
Il think it's the be.-ch on the back
veranda." whispered Clara. Some
one pushed it,
And then. when her better half was
cut of bed and heading for the stairs
with an electric flash and an auto
matte gun, she began to plead for him
not to go.
you'll get killed, dearie. Oh. please
don't go. Let them take the forks and
spoons oh, Bob, stay here!''
| And so, accompanied by walls and
| entreaues enough to make a regiment
nervous, Bob descended the stairs and
! turned on the lights in the downstairs
rooms even unto the kitchen. and
found-nothing. Then, hearing some
thing outside he opened the back
door. The bench had been pulled
was a basket. And in the basket was
something with a good pair of lungs,
whatever else it possessed.
| Bob looked around and saw nobody.
Then gingerly lifting the basket, he
closed and locked the door. turned on.
the lights mounted the stairs and laid
the basket on the bed.
Here's your burglar he said grim
ly.
Clara looked aghast The lungs were
What in the world" Curious and
bewildered. she pulled back the cover
and behold-two of them!
ooh. Bob. did you ever see anything
so cute ?" she purred. For the crying
stopped and there was a violent sound
of smacking, as two fists tried their
best to get into diminutive mouths
"Cute!- Good heavens About as
cute as if somebody had wished a me-
nagerie on US to take care Of" Bob
was pulling on his clothes.
What are you doing? Are you GO
ing out?''
You bet I am-to the police station
If that's closed I'll keep on to the
river
Bob. Don't be silly, They can't
help it, poor little mites. Come and
look at them, and their dear little bald
heads oh. can't we keep them until
somebody comes for theme
Don't lose your senses, Clara
They're ours for keeps unless We car
get some founding asylum to take
them
Bob. Bob. there isn't a public in
stitution near us for miles except the
Old Mems Home. and the only police
department consists of old Charlie
Hutchinson. who is sick with asthma
and the town council and the burgess
are on a fishing trip. What can you
do?'
Bob glared "I'u bust somebody
head if I find out who played this
trick on u.s.
But Clara was lifting the twins out
), by this time and examining basket
and clothes for signs of identification
THE dears!" she cooed. And listen
Bobby, they're hungry Go down te
the ice box and get some milk Warn
it, not too hot, and bring it up-an6
a spoon"
Inward1y raging. Bob obeyed. Blu
the spoon didn't work. The babie.
would have none of it. The yeIfine
he would walk tight rope to China
if it would bring a few minutes OF
peaceful silence.
'-Then go to the drug store, dear
for a couple of bottles. That's VIVA
= thy want. And ring the Smiths door
bell and borrow more milk Arent
, they darlings, Bobby"
mo" snar1ed he "And I'll BIZ
dashed if 1 keep those kids in thi.
, house after the first streak of dawn
And thus ended chapter two OF
Bob's tragedy.
But the Brixtons kept the babies
+ That is, for some time longer than tn.
I limit set by Bob. 1t was this way:
Next day the phone rang and il
answer to Clara's tired Hello" som.
one informed her that a certain Lizzie
OBrien had been hurt by an auto
| IL. q