The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-13
The Epening Story
The Lion Hunter.
(By Louise Oliver.)

everything from a Japanese consul to
a Peruvian treasure hunter, to say
nothing of big game everywhere you
can think of. Naturally he has money,
so here's your chance, my poor, big
independent sister. Get your little
rich charges off for the seashore, if
you must, but don't lose another sec
ond. And mind you don't call me
names when you read this, for both
Dick and 1 are concerned about your
future and are determined to see you
comfortably settled. We know what
is better for you than you do your
self.
Your loving sister, ANNE"
Hermione smiled indulgently. Dear
little Anne! As though her big sister
wasn't perfectly well able to look after
herself! l can't see why people insist
upon plying me just because 1 hap
pen to be the only surviving member
OF the family and earn my own living,
and because. too, I have resisted ma
trimony until I'm the only one of the
old set that's left. All right, little
sister! I'll hurry to your little cot
tage by the sea just because / love if
and you, but not to bait any lion
hunter and settle myself in life, as
you put it,"
The phone rang. Hello! Is that
you, Peter? Doing? Reading a letter
from my little sister in Sedgwick. She
says she mas som sthing for me and
she wants me to hurry and get it.
You d never guess what it isl"
"A dog" Peter ventured.
mol"
"Jewelry?"
"Wrong!"
Some good advice. Sisters are
usually long on that"
No-yes! Anyway, it's advice of a
kind. She's found me husband"
III kill himr' jealously.
An amused ripple was his answer.
FUNNY from
Knew the quiet mysterious pool was a
seyser, or, rather, to be in keeping
with your name. 1 never suspected
that the great, solid, dependable rock
was volcano. Don't be so blood
thlfsty, Peter! l have just been think
nag that a nice, rich, famous. Jewell
fonferring husband might be quite a
comfort" teasingly
Il tell you I'll shoot him." savageIy.
Feter! Then, You are coming to-
done"
Yes, 1 wouldn't miss going for a
thousand worlds. So I'll reserve INV
threats till then. Goodbye, dear grill
Hermlone turned away with a trou-
bled look 1t had been one of the
foundation stones Of her friendsbinW
IN Iact, the very ground itself-that
everything between them be frank,
nomely and purely platonic No SEN
tlment OF any kind allowed. 1t was
pend upon. He took her to con-
certs, lectures, anywhere she wanted
70 go, Kept her up on the evolution of
uan Sht Kai and the Chinese empire.
and discussed both sides of the pos
stble embargo on war supplies. He
read her The Gods of the Mountain1
or something of the kind while she
earned his socks and Sewed on miss
ing buttons. She had insisted on this.
Peter" she had said, don't throw
away your socks if they show hole or
two. Let me mend them. [ must do
something for you" She hadn't
dared to tell him the real reason-that
the best diet she knew for anti-senti-
mentalism was plenty of darning. The
tone just now had worried her.
Peter arrived at 8 with a box of
candy and a torn shirt wrapped in a
paper, with suspiciously neat look
ing hole between the shoulders.
Hermione seized it with delight.
Peter, whatever will become of YOU
if you keep on wearing out your
clothes? L don't see how you wear a
whole away up there. 1t looks almost
like 4 cut!"
1--WE been wondering what would
become of me if it were not for You,
Hermione. I'd be a regular Rip Van
Wrinkle for rags
She flushed appreciatively. Then a
serious look came into her eyes and
when Peter had spread out a new
magazine and she had slipped on her
thimble, size ventured, I'm going to
ask you something tonight-soma-
thing serious. yet 1 don't want you to
take it seriously"
He looked amused. He was accus-
toned to her odd prefaces, however
But he was petrified for an instant
beyond reply when she went on hur-
riedly: 81 want to be engaged to you
you awhile. Don't think 1 am taking
advantage of leap year, kind friend
no doubt you've had a dozen proposals
by this time-at least if you haven't
you should have had. But If you
aren't promised I wish you would take
me. 1t will only last over the sum-
mer until come back from Sedgwick.
Don't you see how it is? If I'm en-
gagged to anyone, they'll let me alone
about Dicks lion-taming cousin
Dicks hon-taming cousin %
Yes, he hunted lions or something
in PERU mean Africa-and did
something else in Japan, and he's very
rich, and Anne writes that he'll be
there when L am and they will keep
him collared and chained so can get
him for my very own so I'll be fixed
for life. He's the husband I told you
about over the telephone If 7 lust
announce that I'm engaged to some
body else they'll let me alone, and the
lion tanner won't think I'm throwing
myself at his head either It will
make everything so comfortable, and
I'll probably have good rest and n
decent time. Otherwise-well. just |
won't go, that's all. So you'd better
let me be engaged to you, Peter. Think
it over
Hermione stopped for breath. Pc
ter did not reply Immediately. He
seemed to be undecided about some !
thing, but Hermione, bent over her
sewing, did not see the struggle in
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