The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-07


they'll marry himi''
"A delayed schedule on the railroad
brought Rot ,rt Blaisdelfs train into
the station nearest tho village where
his father was still confined Just three
hours late. As he was inquir1ng
about a conveyance to take him to
Miss Esther Peters house, a pecu-
liar looking wagon drove by. He was
standing so that he did not see it, and
his mental state precluded his hear
ing anything so common as wagon
wheels or horses's hoofs. The station
agent, who did not like the liveryman,
saw it.
what makes you hire a rig, any
way?" he suggested. Save your three
dollars and ride up along if you want
see up ahead is goin' to the very
house. Belongs to the tin-peddler,
old Mr.. Valentine. He got a terrible
spill bout six weeks ago and he's been
laid up at Esther's house ever since
She's rakin' care of him-and-well,
he didn't waste much time takin' that
advice" he finished to the empty air.
| For Robert BlaisdeH was racing up
the dusty road after his fathers
| wagon, Row in the hands of that
lmoney-grabbing old hen; he'd lose no
time telling her where she got of
This was too good a chance to miss
| Matilda, driving contentedly home
wards, heard the hoarse shouts. HI
f-hi-here-you, wait minute!
| She stopped. Robert Blaisdell, red
and hot from his pursuing race, lopeo
t. the front of the cart. He, too,
stopped, and said not another word
He took off his hat and painted. Ma
tilda waited, politely. She could see
that he yas quite disturbed. Don't
hurry" She said. You're awfuiiy out
of breath
1T beg your pardon" he gasped at
| Ia Rryf eta a
wagon was going-said it was-said-
oh, darn tim Robert Blaisdell-
may I ride up to see my father with
your"
He wondered who this pretty girl
was that was helping out that old Ma
tilda thing as they drove along the
shady roads. Not that he knew the
roads were shady-he knew only that
| the girl had yellow hair-real hair
not bleached stuff-and brown eyes
that were straightforward and friend
lily, and lovely white skin-and oh
yes, there were three little freckles
right by her nose. And he hoped she
lived near Miss Esther Peters.
She was telling him about the acct
dent. She seemed to know lot abou,
lit. $50 Miss Esther's taking care OF
him, is she?" he replied at last. "I'n
sure that's very kind of her. And
shall see Miss Matilda. too? She
fwrote me this letter."
The girl turned and looked at him
She laughed. you're looking at hel
now" she said I'm Matilda
. Robert could stay only two days
THAT first time. But he went back t.
1.-THE main office and told them abou
the crying needs for his wares in E
certain neglected rural district. And
they told him to go there in pity.
name and sell his goods, so he cams
back very soon. And again and agair
flor a broken hip does not memo
easily-especially when the bones arr
mot as young as they once were.
When, in July, Mr.Valentine wa.
able to sit on the porch. Robert cam
lagain. and found the three engaged
in the financial situation
II Bob" said his father, this girl ha
enlarged the business. Her receipt
for the last three months are NOR
, than mine were a year ago. I dom
know but what I'll retire and turf
the cart over to her." .r.s~ I'll
Miss Esther blushed at the look h
, Esther" Mr.. Valentine went on. II
: he's got any eyes in his head lhe know
lit already. Yes-Bob, she's going t
take care of me all the rest of m
days, and with Esther for a wife.
, don't much care whether the old -le
gets we'll or not shan't want to rul
, very far away from her. So, Bob, Civ
your mother-to-be kiss, and perhap
you can kiss your new cousin as well.
, '.Oh, Mr.. valentine!" And Matild
|, was off the porch in flash, dow
, Eamong the rose bushes. But not to
far away to miss what Robert was say
i ling:
cousin? Not on your life, DON
!. Eyou know first cousins can't marry Il
| this state?"
! Copyright, 1913 by Mcclure Newspape
Syndicate.)