The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-19
EVENING STORY
Raspberry Shrub.
BY FRANCES LINSKY.
1913. by Mcclure New

downright, 1918, by Mcclure newspaper
Syndicate)
1t was a typical summer hotel YER
anda. AT least so thought a per-
spring and very much disguised
young man, who looked up at it from
tho bottom of the somewhat steep
and very dusty hill.
AN Adamless Eden, I'll warrant"
he muttered, taking another look
ahead at the long walk still before
him Why on earth was l such a
fool as to come up here, even to
ing such a good time with the boys
at campl
Now, 1 suppose I'm in for an ex-
citing month doing the pretty with
all the debutantes the Mater'n have
all ready selected for me. Gee whiz.
but it's hot, and this suit case is
heavy 1 sure never thought it was
such a walk. 1 must look lovely
and he mopped his face, and famed
himself with his hat.
Brown as young Indian from
weeks of outdoor camp life, and COW
ercd with dust and perspiration, GER
tainly no one would have recognized
in this very bedraggled young man,
Max Harding, whose arlstocrat1c
mother was a guest at the hotel on
the hill.
Sowing fiercely, he dragged his
be met at the veranda steps by a
pompous looking individual who eff
fectu.lly barred his further progress.
Cant come up the front way, fell
leh,' said the pompous one. All
tradesmen and peddlers, with a
must go round the back and he
waved him grandly away.
What the dew and then as
the full significance of the servants
remark struck him, Max Harding
burst into laugh. '-Tradesmen and
good one; I certainly must look fine"
he thought to himself. and then
aloud: "An right, Your Highness,
I'll go round the back'-and he went.
Maybe I can sneak in thru the
kitchen and get washed up before
greet the Mater" he thought. IF she
ever catches me looking like this
Hello, whew-ew-ew," and he whistled
softly, for a remarkably pretty girl
sat directly in front of the kitchen
door. Smelling peas-thus once more
blocking his progress.
"H-m, probably the assistant
cook" thought he to himself, noting
the neat and very practical Bingham
dress. "Well-here goes"
Have you a moment to spare" he
asked, removing his hat, and speak
ing in his most engaging manner.
! Il am sorry. but 1 haven't said
the young woman, very promptly
scarcely glancing up from her work
"Oh. no." thought he, mot much
enthusiasm here May I show you
some of my wares?" with an express
sive glance in the direction OF the suit
case.
you may not" said the young
| woman. just as promptly as before
well do you mind if I sit down or
the lawn a minute ?" he hazarded fol
his third venture.
ct do not" again responded the
fair lady of the peas" taking him ir
with one all-appraising glance
So Max sank down on the little plo
| of grass in front of the house. an6
leaning his head back against the
| building. closed his eyes
| Poor fellow" thought the girl, hel
sympathy aroused at last he must b
sharp with him. Well, he looks darl
enough for one of those Syrian or Ar
menian peddlers, but he certainl,
| doesn't talk like one. I'll just run il
shrub. It'll cool him off before h
goes"
She was back in a moment with +;
glass of delicious looking liquid. and
tapping the young man on the shout
/ der, she offered it to him.
Here, drink this" she said. I'm
sorry 1 couldn't stop to look at you
wares. Have you made many sale
| today?".
| mo. not one," answered Max. quit,
| truthfully, and he swallowed the re
| freshing drink with genuine apprecia
alton. Then, with many thanks. III
| beat heasty retreat around to thu
| front of the house once more
! This time his mother was seated
on the veranda, and she greeted hin
effusively, but he managed to maxi
her understand that a bath and som,
clean linen were the two most essen
tial things in his life at that particula