The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-14
The Euening Story
Helping Out.
CBy Louise oliver

(By Louise Oliver.)
Alan Pierpont bending over bed of |
coreopsis, Strengthened at the sound |
of voice.
IT came" it said. ito see if you |
would nina if I take Nancy for |
ride" Gretchen Van Doom, light haired |
and blue eyed as her Dutch name
implied, smiled the inquiry.
mo, fairy godmother, l wouldn't.
Moreover, don't suppose it would do
much good for me to object if you and
Nancy have made up your minds to
go. It's 1 who do the begging. Nancy
who consents Ell, kiddie?" as lit
tie girl of seven ran around the house
from the street.
"But-since you call me fairy god
mother'-I'l have to dress her. Her
hair ribbons, for instance, won't do.
You see, you put on one red one ana
one blue this morning, and Ia ike
to get the mate of either one-
Alan smoothed the hair over his
temple as he did when perplexed
well, does it make any difference?
Do they have to match? 1 was think
ing when L put them on that they
were like my bed of oriental peoples
and blue larkspur."
Gretchen laughed And am just
Dutch enough to like the combination
myself, red and blue, but. you see,
hts the custom to have them alike.
And if the world says wear turkey
| feathers in your little girls hair why,
you have to get the turkey feathers
'I see! It's like everything else.
| We have to shape our lives to custom.
| Well, to tell you the truth, I don't
know much about dressing little girls.
Nancy ard 1 have great fun over it,
| but I suppose the result is doubtful"
| IL =,
| Gretchen's face. The artist and his
little girl were at once The despair
and amusement of Kentboro, for little
Nancy came forth in some of the
queerest rigging that ever adorned a
child. There was a division of senti-
ment about them. HE ought to get
married again." declared some. "They
don't need any one else said others,
| for devotion such as theirs is rare
and a third person would spoil 1t. If
only he were not so proud, one might
offer to do something
Gretchen, after days of considera-
| ton, decided to take the bull by the
horns and tell Nancy's father a thing
or two. eff he gets offended he'll
just have to-that's ALL"
DO you care asked Gretchen not
without misgiving, '1f 1 hunt some
other ribbons for her and another
dress? You see, we are going to motor
to Sharkspoint and have our lunch. /
| want Nancy to look nice"
Help yourself" he said Nancy
will show you where things are The
stocks running low, though, I'm
afraid
Fairy godmothers can do won
ders, you know" laughed Gretchen
even Dutch ones
Come on" pulled Nancy, so the
two disappeared into the house.
I'D like to paint her among the
poppies and larkspur,,'' he thought
Her hair is the color of ripe wheat
in the sun, and her eyes, He
Hooked into the open doorway "She's
beautiful-and kind. Poor child. she
Nancy's clothes?" His face cloudet
and his hand again smoothed his tenn
tple. If one of the pictures doesn't sci
soon, both of US will have to go il
: the garb of Olympus, and that, In
afraid. will bring the good burgher
in earnest
/ He dug around the columbines
? propping up the snap-dragon ant
shipped at the mignonette
There was a sound of motor stop
ping at the front of the house and ;
man came around into the garden
''Walter!" cried the man among tn
flowers.
How do you do, Alan?" greete,
the other cordially enough, coming Vi
close and holding out hand .Stil
like posies, do your
Yes. I do my own gardening sal
Alan simply. I'm glad to see you
: Won't you come into the house % Tn
words, commonplace enough, con
= tanned an inquiry which the othe
caught. They meant: ''why can't yo
let me alone? What did you com
for after all these years of peace p" .
n 1T is pleasant out here Can't w
|. sit down on this bench under tn
ftree?" asked the newcomer. II can
v stay long anyway, and, needless to say
n came on business"
Il suppose it's the same old story.
q said Alan YEARLY as they sat down.
: Pretty much. Alan-see here
e you've been acting the tomfool lon
II enough. The business has grown an
q fathers getting old. There's too niue
- for one to manage and the big profit
are going to strangers. You can
:. make a decent living daubing." H
- looked around with contempt
Alan did not answer
q IF you're thinking of the other
= went on his brother, that can be al
20 ranged. OF course you can't brin
the girl you married with you, b,
1 there's money enough in the fan1il
A. to take care of that as long as there
8 a court in the land. Come, Alan, it
le not too late to make a big thing
t your life. Irene Whitney's not mai
d. ried yet, and father always wanted he
r; for you. She is
re ''Stopi'' cried Alan. ct don't car
20 to hear any more. I've been happ
for years, and now you come to spo
it"
lie Gretchen and Nancy appeared jul
sr then at the back door.
Daddy" cried the child, we're 81
ing. Goodbye" She ran up for
kiss.
Nancy, say how do you do to yor
~ Uncle Walteri" The child held OF
e ther hand gravely and the man took
How do you do?" he said, great
surprised. II didn't know"
;, Now run away. DEAR" said hi
- father.
a Il think we have everything. Coco