The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-06
EVENING STORY
The Guest.


Jerry opened the kitchen door with
the groceries.
Half way across the kitchen floor
his ice-crusted heel slipped on the
linoieum and he went down with a
crash
Good gracious"' cried Jerry. ARE
you hurt?
No. he said, getting to his feet and
cycling the congIomeration of broken
bags on the floor.
My, I thought you were Patsy
Patsy? No, my names Dennis
That's Z wretehed joke" said Jerry
with contemp'.
1T isn't a joke said Dennis, Its
the truth. How could it be joker
Look here, 1 haven't got time to
stand here and answer riddles. Just
| look around at the kitchen and then at
the mess you've made all over my floor
and tell me if you think I'll get thru
before the day after tomorrow
! But Dennis only looked at her
smooth flushed cheeks, swapping gray
eyes and the rebellious hair that shook
curls over her forehead when she
talked. A big kitchen apron and arms
akimbo made her look very warlike
person. indeed.
Just look at it, l say
! This time his eyes followed the di-
rection of her finger and he saw
table full of pots and pans, bowls and
spoons ready for washing
| "Will that take two days?" he ask
ed slowly.
Jerry regarded him curiously
Whats wrong with you? Say. are
really a grocery man or what, all
dressed up that way? And what's the
matter with Patsy today?"
| Dot
his place"
oh. I see! Well, do you know
what Patsy would do if he spilled the
beans and coffee and things?"
! He'd apologize. 1 suppose"
Apologize! HumphI He'd Lick
'em all up
But was just going to"
Going to-? You're a cyclone. aren't
your
Dennis looked puzzled. but without
more talking he pulled up his trou-
sers, got down on his knees and went
to work.
IF you're going to deliver you'd
better get some more clothes. You
can't carry potatoes and oilcans
around in Sunday things like that
| Patsy wears overalls and a sweater
and cap
"Oh, darn Patsy"
The gray eyes flashed Don't you
dare to talk that way. He's the
/ I'm sorry if he's friend of yours;
but, say. this floor is full of tacks''
Instantly Jerry was sorry. $50 it is.
Look here. Let's scoop the whole
business up in this plan-it's all got to
be washed, anyway-then we can
spread it out on the table and sort it
into piles But if you're in a hurry
maybe you'd better go. Mr.. Way
man is very strict"
81 guess I've got time. There
Vun mr. 70 he do
livered."
Jerry pulled up two chairs. you
take coffee and I'll take beans: that
will leave the price. see? ?"
''Bravoi" cried Dennis, admiringly,
| setting to work.
Hes a queer one,'' was Jerry's
mental comment, but this time she
kept it to herself. There was some
thing about this person she liked. and
it was evident he didn't understand
, half the things she said.
Say said Jerry finally when three
neatly assorted piles had been brought
out of the chaos. do you like choco-
, late cake?"
Indeed I do admitted Dennis.
"And doughnuts ?"
You're right
"And mince pie?"
81 like it very much, indeed"
''Why don't you say you love it ?"
| II love it,
That's better Well, I'm going to
give you a sample of each while I'm
washing these dishes. Sort of try 'em
on the dog, you might say, to see how
they go. I'm going to let you in on a
secret. I'm not the girl I'm the mis-
sus, or one of them. There's three of
US, Aunt Genevieve and Meg and me.
You'll get to know us better some day.
, We're poor as Jobs turkey and proud
, as Lucifer-the whole bunch of us
! That is, Aunt Genevieve and Meg are
,, I'm not. What's the use, when you
!. have to wear your old dresses inside
: out and your old hats upside down
: year in and year out. Say, do you get
. me? Do you understands
..Yes!' said Dennis smiling.
Jerry set a plate of good things be-
fore him and perched on the edge OF