The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-06
EVENING STORY
''The Little Devil. !"
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Johnny on the spot, at g.
Don't use slang, Edith" reproved
her aunt. That's something l want
to warn yo1 about Do try to be
dence BURNERS, and they're strong on
form"
Edith laughed. Don't worry. auntie.
I'll try not to disgrace you. I just
forgot in the exuberance of my joy
that's all. I'd do like the little pig in
the poem and get up at if there
were a real live army officer to be
seen. But I'm afraid I can't rest, as
you suggest. Norah left today. and as
mother won't be home until Wednes-
day. have all the work to do. But
don't let it bother you. I'll try to get
| Mrs. Stubs In to help. Bye-bye till
tonight
Leaving the telephone Edith did a
little war dance in the hall~rof which
I am afraid the Providence BURNERS
| would not at all have approved, altho
| 1t is difficult to imagine anyone, even
| a BURNER. being quite as beautiful as
| was Edith, even in her all-enveloping
work apron.
"Wat'cha matter. Edy?" Four-year-
old Harry, syrup jug in hand, pilfered
from the breakfast table, stood in the
doorway.
Edith grabbed him up. Sisters
going to see a soldier man., Harry, a
real big soldier man that goes like
| this. boom, boom, boom, BOOM" And
Harry on her shoulder, she marched
| all over the first floor.
There, look what we've done, Har-
~. got syrup over everything. Sisters
| got to get a cloth and wipe 1t all up.
| And just look at your clean suit!
| Come on upstairs, IL have to hunt out
| another one
Upstairs she gave Harry a word of
warning. Now, little bruzzer. sisters
| going to be awfulIy busy today and
you must be good and not get dirty.
Don't go out in that muddy backyard,
will you, dear? And II Sammy Brown
| comes over to play, stay on the back
"All right. Edy. will
But Harry's memory was about as
long as his legs. Before Edith had\the
breakfast dishes done she heard a
| lusty howl from the yard. Opening
the door. she was Mortified to see Sam
my and Harry pummeling each other
in the middle of the garden. Harry's
| clean suit SO completely camouflaged
with mud that he looked like an ami
mated potato hill.
Harry, Harry, come right here.
| Sammy. you go home and don't come
back. Now remember"
| 1t took an hour to scour' Harry
again. He had to be stripped, bathed,
even his head scrubbed, and an entire
new outfit applied from the skin out.
II NOW you stay III the nOuScp OedIs
and play with your train. That's a
good boy Sisters so. so busy today"
| "All right, Edy, 1 will
| Dishes done and beds made, It was
time to get lunch for the family re-
turning from school.
At IL o'clock Clara, aged z. burst
in. "Oh, Edith, come quick. Tom
Browns killing Buddy. He said ia
| to something and Buddy said he was a
German and hit him. and Toms big
ger and he's got Buddy down and
pounding him awfuliy. Oh. do hurry,
Sis"
Edith flew for a long coat Half
way down the street she met a pro-
| cession supporting Buddy, who was
dripping blood as he progressed.
/ "Oh, Buddy, you poor lamb" Edith
took him comfortingly in her arms.
Come on home. dear, and I'll wash
you up and give you hot pancakes ana
all the raspberry jam you want.
| This reconstruction process took
half an hour. By the time lunch was
over Edith was rather tired. But sne
got the troop off to school happy ana
/ well fed, and she smiled after them
proudly. =.
Its a pretty nice family ISM IT,
Harry"
"JJn-hum," said Harry sloepily.
1 "Edith's going to let Harry take a
nice nap now, then Edith's going u
rest, too. Come on. Kiddikins'
"Harry doesn't want to sleep.
"Oh, yes, dear! Come on. III sing
The Man in the Moonl"
Thu, persuaded, Harry went ur
obsdiently.
Edith had time now to think OF hei
own evening. and she grew rosy WltN
anticipation She laid out all mel
dainty. filny lingerie, such as elris
adore. and last Of all her new crepe az
chine of faintest rose PINK onv We.
so clad he had it now. Every one
ssfd she had never looked so nice II
listen what was that? Surely not
Harry. She had left him sound asieeI
IN the nursery. But looking out o,
the hall window a dreadful sight me
her ewes. Harry, sure enough, ano
sammv Brown coming up the street
CRYING. He had evidently Weakened
and slipped down the back stairs I'M
heard.
1--WE fell in the rum" screamed
Harry. 1--WE wuz gettin' crabs ano
the stone slipped and we fell in
II Edith grabbed him up. Sammy,
wish you'd let Harry alone. He'e
never think of the run II 1t weren
for you. Now you go home and dom
come back again.
Ito herself, IT could murder them"
Harry was changed for the thire
time that day.
At last there was peace again, ano
, she could battle and Dress and have
| a few minutes to herself.
But there! What wasthat? An
other racket on the front porch
Sammy Brown again!
| Suddenly Edith flew into a rage
J For almost the first time in her lif'
J she lost her temper. Her eyes flashed
dangerously and her color mounted
, high.
. She flew down the stairs and jerket
. the street door open viciousiy. "Ge
out, you little DEVIL" she cried. Thei
she paled. for there. standing six fee
, , one in his army boots, stood a mos
. elegantly dressed officer Of The Unitet
States army.
us Miss Edith Wilson at homer" h
asked.
) Edith gathered up her flurrie'
{ senses manfully. She courtesie,