The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-25
EVENING STORY
Strawberries and a Man.
(By Louise Oliver.)


OF million blossoms.
Her thoughts were busy. She was |
of the film she had just seen |
at the moving picture theater, of poor |
rebellious little Maggie Tulliver. How |
like Maggie she was herself, she |
thought, impulsive, loving, misunder-
stood, and always in trouble thru no
fault of her own.
Just now she wanted to do some
thing that seemed to find nothing but
wanted to have a fresh-air camp for
children down on the lake where they
could play and wade and frolic all
summer.
But. Peggy, dear" her aunt had
expostulated, there is a lovely big
home for little city children up on
the hill"
WELL there are more children in
town, aren't there?"
But that isn't it, dear. You don't
understand 1t would take hundreds
of dollars and many people to do the
work. There would be washing and
ironing and cooking and dish washing
and bed making. 1t wouldn't be all
play. And the lake is full of malaria
and they'd all be sick and maybe 81, some
Get some more" said Margaret,
not to be discouraged.
mo, dear, it isn't possible. You'll
have to get over this notion just as
you got over wanting to be an aviator,
and a missionary and all the other
things. You'll find your calling some
day. I'm sure, and in the meantime
lust try to be contented with Uncle
Ben and me and be your own little
sweet self"
Margaret still thinking sympathetic
cally of Maggie, crossed the smooth.
moonlit lawns. I'm just as sure as L
can be-" she declared that by finding
my calling some day Aunt Emma
means that I'll get married. And that
is the one thing on earth l won't DO
1 consider it weak-minded, this mar
rying business, when there are SO
many real things to do in the world.
The soft grass and shrubs concealed
her approach, and, as she went light
ly up the side steps of the porch, she
heard voices around front. Evidently
no one knew she had come, for the
talking went on. 1t was old Mr.. Diron
Prothero. Margaret considered a mo-
ment He was a "1ong-winded old
stick-in-the-mud," to quote Margaret
herself, and she knew he would stay
till IL o'clock. She looked at her wrist
watch. 1t was 9:45 now. She tip
toed to the dining room door, opened
the screen and went in. Even this
hot place is better than sitting out
there and being told that 1 ought to
get married and that some day he's
going to find me nice husband. I'll
just have saucer of strawberries and
cream and then go to bed
She went back to the iceboX, got
the berries and switched off the light.
Then she stepped out into the invit-
ing GOODNESS of the garden.
Hello" said a masculine voice
from the swing.
Hello" answered Margaret, sur
prised. Il thought Katrina had gone
out Excuse mel" And she prepared
Don't go." said the voice. ct don't
know who Katrina is, but she's not
here. There is just me-only II
mean to say. l only am present"
You sound like Hamlet said
Margaret.
And feel like him. Hamlet was
proverbially alone and SO am I. Won't
you stay a minute?"
who are you? I have a habit of
being particular about my friends
Were you about to break in? Per-
haps you have the fiat silver about
you now!"
II was never known to be guilty of
having two quarters to jingle to-
gether'
Il don't mean that, but anyway
never mind. If I sit down will you
tell me about yourself?"
L don't believe I can talk much,
my mouths watering so at the smell
of those strawberries.
Just wait minute and I'll get
you some"
She was back in an instant, this time
leaving on the kitchen light She
wanted to see what her vis-a-vis
looked like. The evening was turning
out beautifully. How shocked Aunt
Emma would be-
She was agreeably surprised to find
as he sprang forward to hold the door
that he was tall. slender and his face
! ga ed MI fa1x h
was doing there she could take her
time to find out.
She settled herself in the swing and
he sat down beside her.
''Well?" she asked. Am L to have
the story?"
There's nothing to it-except that
I'm misunderstood"
| How interesting" exclaimed Mar
garet, biting a berry. so am L"
You don't say sol It's awful, isn't
it?"
| Yes, it is. for a girl 1 should think
a man always has his hat, tho. If
he doesn't like things he can leave
| 'No-you're wrong If somebody
had done everything in the world for
you, you can't go back on him, can
your
NO" said Margaret slowly That's
the way with me. Aunt Emma and
i Uncle Ben are darlings, and 1 wouldn't
| hurt them for the world
I've always done pretty much as 1
pleased tho" said the young man.
| THAT is, 1 wanted to write instead of
going into business, but it hasn't more
| than paid expenses So now Uncle
Dick insists that 1 come and live with
him and be his heir and marry some
girl he's picked out for me. Isn't it
awful! I'd rather go to Alaska
How lovely" sighed Margaret 80
| should L"
But I'll have to be going now, I'm
afraid. 1 went to the drug store for
some cigars for Uncle Dick and he'll
! be wondering what's become of me.
They're waiting round on the first
porch for the girl to come home l
| slipped around here, it looked so nice
and quiet
DO you mean that Mr.. Dixon Pro-
| there is your uncle?'