The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-25
The Euening Story
One Mans Hobby.


walked around the beech tree and ex-
amined the markings on its trunk
two hearts pierced by an arrow and
encircled by the legend, "Pansies for
thoughts, rosemary for remembrance"
Were we ever so foolish as that!''
she asked herself Then the laugh
died in a sigh she walked on, push
ing her way through the tangle or
ragweed that INSTRUCTED her path. Be
low her. Cabin branch rippled with a
soft murmur as it Joined the deep
pool beneath the water gap, and on its
edge the leaves of the sunlac showed
the first touch of frost. AS she cross
ed the branch on the rough log that
formed the bridge, she paused again.
Everywhere were memories and ming
ling with them a soft, clear whistle,
once so familiar sound it occasioned
no surprise when she reached the
farm gate to see man stretching out
hand to open it
Il thought you would come. he
said quietly. 81 was so sure that l
sent the team around the road and
walked through the lane" He looked
about with intense enjoyment Then
his eyes rested upon her face. The
years have made no change In you.
You are not one day older. Your eyes
are sparkling and your mouth has
the same adorable kink at the cor
ners that"
He came through the gate and stood
beside her. You received my let
ter?'
mo. Did you write?'
Then owe my good luck to Provi-
dence. I aked you to meet me here.
But I had hoped for different re-
ception. Elizabeth won't you give me
a word of welcome?'
II tn
sence and silence she said slowly.
why do women treasure such
things against a MANI" he asked i'm
patiently. Absence makes the heart
grow fonder and silence is golden
"And out of sight, out of mind
Sshe smiled at him with unconcerned
eyes. What have you been doing all
the years you have forgotten friends
and country"
itself, but the ultimate object keep me
keenly alive. I wanted a home When
1 needed recreation 1 cultivated flow
.ers. You should see my garden
sThat would indeed be pleasant
And your wife?'' she asked courteous
ly.
You are still an adept at fencing,
Elizabet he interrupted Are we
to continue the same old gamer"
For an instant, she watched a chip
munk as he ran along the top rail Of
L
are too old to play pussy wants a cor
ner and hide and seek Those are the
only games 1 remember Perhaps
will recall others later on" she said.
1T will be pleasant to rummage
among old memories he laughed
shortly. but at present I am inter
ested in knowing when you received
my wedding cards.
They never reached me. But a
home suggests wife, doesn't it?''
the result of a settled purpose. May
! trespass upon your hospitality? For
the first time in years l can treat
myself to a short vacation"
You are most welcome she re-
piled cordially. You have been sadly
missed"
Thank you. Your voice then held
its first note of friendliness. 1 was
beginning to feel homesick. Eliza
beth, will you let me give you lessons
in gardening during my stay?''
She threw back her head and laugh
ed heartily. 1T would be wasted eff
fort. Plants never thrive for me, SO
I leave the borders to Uncle Pink
Perhaps you have never tried hard
enough. 1t is wonderfully interesting
to watch the tiny things push them
selves through the earth; to get down
on your knees and dig your hands into
the warm soil, crum bling it so the ten
der leaves can come through quickly.
n. a
| Portable seat. want to talk and l am
curious. Are you really as Indifferent
about that letter as you would have
me believer
'I had forgotten it,
Then, I presume, since the letter is
SO easily forgotten, memory will be at
fault in regard to several things have
been hoping you would remember"
II remembered you," she replied
pleasantly. Ten years is long to
keep one in mind, especially"
| Especially pc
when one tries hard to be forgot
ten
DO you make no allowance for cir
cumstances %
Always. when ! am not an inter-
| ested party"
"You-an interested party?'' he
| questioned.
Gould it be otherwise when you
were at the house every day and all
day?" she asked carelessly.
II was mistaken. Memory is a fac
tor to be reckoned WITH" he COM
mented dryly-
She brushed the litter from her
dress. There was finality in the
movement that made him stretch out
| a detaining hand.
Don't go. 1t is very pleasant here
even if am disappointed in the
warmth of my greeting. and I do so
wish to tell you of my garden wrote
YOU about IT. 1t was GOOD letter,
although you evidence no interest in
4 it,
! She took her head even as she
paused q am afraid you ride an old
| mans hobby. Come to the house and
tell me in the freight The air is
getting frosty.
He gave her a quick look and his
voice lost its bantertng note NO. 1
must tell it here" He hesitated
barely perceptibie instant 1T is
hobby. Dear. you should see my beds
| of pansies and rosemary"
The color flared into her face You
| had prepared me for a garden of
orchids, but even old-fashioned flow
\ ers can be an outlet for surplus en-
ergy. You always did throw yourself