The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-06
EVENING STORY
Aunt Martha Intervenes.
(By Flora A. Monty.)


And they do say they came on the
same train together" said Mrs. Prince
excitedly. as she wiped her hands on
her Bingham apron Not but that
Ray Palmer's done enough things in
his life 70 make us expect anything
even If he is my own nephew-but it
does beat all his carryin's on-and him
engaged to that pretty little Madge
Townes.''
But what difference does it make,
Mrs. Prince, if Angela did happen to
come home at the same time he did,
if he didn't know she was comm ?''
half rose from the kitchen chair
We'll, now, Maria Thompson. What
difference would it make to you if
your husband come all the way from
Salem with Abby Norton? Therei 1
guess you see it now Well, it's even
worse for Ray Palmer to come with
that flirty Angela Grey-prob'ly set
tin right beside her all the way, too.
know that boy and that girl. And
even if he is my own nephew, L amt
| goin' to let Madge break her heart
over his COINS on!'
Il call that real good, now. You'll
have to hustle, tho, if you keep Madge
from hearin' it,
Who's goin' to keep her from hear
in it, I'd like to know - rejoined
Mrs. Prince.
Why. you just said faltered her
neighbor.
Said I wasn't goin' to have her
break her heart over my worthless
nephew, and no more L amt. I'm
goin' right over ano tell her now, be-
fore it's too late
But, Mrs. Prince, what if that
should break EN- up?" Mrs Thomp-
sons mild blue eyes opened wide in
amazement.
Let it! Better now! What's more,
I'm goin' to tell Madge ever last thing
Ray Palmer ever done. And I'm goin
to tax pa and Annie along. too, cause
they can back me up!"
Mrs. Thompson flutteringly arose
with, Now, amt you the Initial
ways lookin' after others
well, when others need lookin
after, and amt got the fool sense to
do it themselves, I'm willin' to do my
duty. however unpleasant it may be
| for me-" Mrs. Prince followed her
departing visitor to the kitchen door
and admonished her as she passed
down the path: Now, don't you go
and say anythin' to them, Maria
Thompson. You know you never get
to them folks, and I'll tend to 'em
right"
Don't fret, Mrs. Prince. amt
hankerin' to get mixed up in that af-
fair" called back Mrs. Thompson,
closing her remark with a brisk slam
of the gate.
"H'mI It's 10 o'clock" unused Mrs.
Prince, as she turned back to her
work. ''Mebby I better go over to
Towneses now, 'thout waitin' for pa
and Annie. 1 can send them over
after dinner" And, changing her soil
ed apron for stiffly starched clean
one, she tramped away with the deter
mination of a martyr to his country s
cause.
Madge was trilling a rollieking song
as her caller reached the back gate
Mrs. Prince shifted. Hump! She'll
sing another tune when she hears
about Ray Palmer
J The sound of her footsteps on the
back porch brought Madge to the door
with a merry smile "Oh do come in
Aunt Marthal" she welcomed her
I'm going to call you aunt now, for
Rays says I'll have to after we are
married, and I might as well get in
practice now.
for moment the vigorous old lady
: was abashed.
why, you look all tired OUT
Madge went on. your face is as
red as anythingl No, I'm not going
: to let you even talk. yet as Mrs
the conversation. you sit right down
in that big, easy rocker, and use this
fan And I want you to try these
5 doughnuts- They're honey doughnuts
like you make, you know. Ray copied
that recipe for me. Do you remember
him asking you how to make them
} one day last week? He says I've got
: to learn to cook like you. OF course
I know these aren't as good as those
you make, but I'm hoping I'll learn
But Ray says can't expect to acquire
: your skill in a few months"
Mrs. Price unaccountably choked
over a bite of one of the crisp crullers
''Why-they re-they're good. Madge.'
she finally managed 81 didn't know