The Topeka state journal., 1916-11-13
EVENING STORY
A Situation.

for plots for inspiration and evolve
a situation. A situation is not a story,
yet it seems to me that situations are
tho only things in life
Where is your imagination ?" Mil
dred asked.
Imagination" Sarah exclaimed in
scorn. Imagination was left out of
my makeup"
The other leaned little forward,
looking toward the gate. II think"
she said slowly, there is the begin
ming of story that will not require
imagination to carry 1t to a conclu-
sion"
Sarah turned her head curiously.
without, but in full view, was a little
child, black kitten closely clasped in
her arms. She had been watching the
two on the porch and, when she
thought herself unobserved, stretched
out a hand and softly touched clus-
ter of half-blown roses that had push
ed themselves thru the palings.
For some minutes the two watched
her in silence, and then Mildred called
to her.
Wont you come here and talk to
US, little grip
of the steps. Il didn't hurt Them"
she said under her breath. IT was
just petting them and talking to them
and wishing mother could see them"
Where is mother" Sarah asked.
The childs eyes filled with tears.
shes sick down there" nodding her
head in an uncertain direction, land
Daddy'S sick, too
Poor little piece of forlornity, tell
me all about it, and then we will go
and see mother and you shall have
all the roses you can carry"
But the child could tell very little.
They had come to the village short
time before and were living down by
the creek and "a nice man came to
see mother and daddy and made them
feel better. He brought me my good
luck pussy" she added, holding the
kitten close, "and 1 love him. Yet the
little she did tell reused the sympathy
of the two girls.
II.
Under huge beech tree on the edge
of the bank above Rock Creek, stood a
covered wagon. something after the
order of the old time prairie schooners
but not so large. Still, it was large
enough for the family of three that
made it their home. Two horses graz
ed near by and between the trees hung
two hammocks. A cot, under a slight
shelter in the densest tree shadow,
held man whose face showed suffer-
ing. On the strip of sand close to the
water a tiny fire burned and stopping
over it were three figures, two wome.
and a child. Further away another
woman was busying herself about
some household task.
Sarah and Mildred were having a
picnic to cover an act of friendliness.
for they had discovered upon their
first visit that the childs parents were
above charity. altho their stress was
great. The woman was far from we'll
and anxiety about her husband about
sapped her strength. They had lived
in one of the large cities where he held
good position until an attack of
pneumonia left him too weak and
wretched to resume it Health and
strength he must regain and they took
their savings, bought food and outfit
and started for somewhere.
Just somewhere" the woman told
Mildred, where we could have Gods
sunshine and pure air. He improved
at once but a week ago he slipped
and broke his leg. Since then life
would be gray indeed if it was not
for DR.. winthrop"
"Dr. Winthropr Sarah exclaimed
sharply, 'is he here?" She turned to
Mi.dred, who had bent rather hastily
hands. You did not tell me he was
here"
The woman interposed. ct think he
has bee away. Miss Carroll When
he found my John he was passing in
his car and it was pretty we'll filled
L L
helped take it out so that we could
put John inside
Sarah was not satisfied and cast
suspicious glance toward her friend,
whose face held a tri1e more color
than was usual. She said nothing fur
ther, however until that evening when
they were alone upon the porch. Then
she said:
When did he come,'
You mean Doctor VVinf1hrop
Mildred's voice held a note unusual
to its softness. He has been in prac-
tice here for a year past"
Il have often wondered what be-
came of him." Sarah said. He dis
appeared suddenly, as suddenly as if
he had been swallowed up in some
catastrophe. You never mentioned
that he was here, which seems little
odd. but your letters were never let
ters, just mere notes. 1 don't know
why I should give a thought to him,
for he passed entirely from my life
after our last quarrel"
why did you quarrel?" Mildred
leaned forward but did not look at her
friend.
Can you always account for hap
penings? The other shrugged her
shoulders. 'Incompatibility Jeal-
ousy. fortunately we discovered it in
time. He did not want me to look at
another man, to accept an invitation
1 cannot bear coercion. That was
what it amounted to- She turned
suddenly. I think, Mildred, you
would suit him, you are SO gentle and
so self -effacing."
Nonsense" A sudden, sobbing cry
caught and held their attention An
other, then the sound of a mans
voice. Together they ran to the gate,
into the road. A short distance away
car was standing Near it a man
with a child in his arms. He was
speaking quietly, but with authority.
Mamie, you must be quiet, must
listen Your mother is in no danger.
She will be better tomorrow and you
can help her by being good. Now, run
in to Miss Mildred and tell her I sent
you in to wait for me-"
He put the child on her feet as the